The Volvo Baltic Race is a new event to be held this year for VO60s. Organised by Viamare and KSSS (Royal Swedish Yacht Club) in co-operation with Volvo and SEB, this race will take place between June 21 and 5 July with stopovers planned to include Kiel (to coincide with Kieler Woche), Sandhamn and Marstrand (during the Swedish Match Cup on July 5).

The boats will also participate in the Accenture Gotland Runt as well as other inshore races.

The purpose of the Volvo Baltic Race is two-fold; it will bring offshore racing closer to the general public and it will give the sailors the chance to compete even during the years between two Volvo Ocean Races, which start every fourth year.

“By combining the Kieler Woche, Accenture Gotland Runt and Swedish Match – Northern Europe’s biggest regattas, we can create something even bigger,” says Hans Mellström, Viamare, who, together with sailor and skipper Matthew Humphries (who took part in four Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Races), took the initiative to create this race.

AB Volvo and Volvo Car Corporation are title sponsors of the race and see their involvement as yet another step in their global commitment to sailing. SEB is trophy sponsor to the event and see their sponsorship as an important part in the company’s relationship marketing and brand exposure activities. KSSS is responsible for the actual competition.

The next Volvo Ocean Race will be organised in 2005-2006 and full details will be unveiled in Auckland, New Zealand on February 10.