Yesterday morning (10 May) Knut Frostad, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, presided over the second ‘Round Table’ presentation where details of the next edition of the race are announced. This follows Thursday’s announcement of Alicante as the new start port for the next three editions and new permanent home of the race organisation’s headquarters.

The focus on Sunday remained changes that increase value for participants in the race. Amongst the subjects covered, the evolution to the format of a typical race stopover schedule for the next edition was particularly important.

In general, stopovers in the next edition are to be shorter and more efficient, with most of the action loaded towards the final weekend, which is when the Pro-Am Race, the In-Port Race and the leg start will all take place.

“The current stopover format, with one week between the In-Port Race and leg start, ensures the stopovers are a full week longer than they really need to be,” Frostad said. “This puts pressure on the shore crews to have the boats ready quickly for the In-Port Race, and then leaves everybody waiting for an extra week before we start the next leg.

“We think we can make it more efficient and more exciting by focusing all of the action on the final weekend of the stopover, when all of the racing will take place.”

The stopovers will be designed around a two-week format, with the ETAs for the finish of a leg comprising the first weekend, a ‘Festival of Sail’ on the middle weekend, and the Pro-Am, In-Port races and leg starts on the third weekend. The end result will be more time for the shore crews to work on the boats, a real recuperation period for the sailors between legs, and a clear build-up to a final crescendo of racing action for the public and VIP guests.

For further information, visit www.volvooceanrace.org .