The third Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix Series will take place on Baltimore’s Inner Harbour this week.

From the 28 April-3 May the five Volvo Extreme 40 catamarans, representing Holland, Great Britain and America, will be locked in battle as they go head to head, providing an exciting spectacle for the public during the VOR Leg 5 stopover.

The Volvo Extreme 40s will compete in up to four races a day with the series pausing on Saturday 29 April for the Volvo Open 70s to participate in the in-port race. The series will culminate in a final showdown on the 3 May when the winner of the Baltimore round will be crowned, adding a valuable ten points towards their overall series points.

The Volvo Extreme 40 is a strict one-design catamaran that has already become one of the most dynamic multihulls on the inshore racing circuit. The boats are capable of reaching 35 knots in flat waters and in six knots of breeze can fly one hull.

The class made its debut at the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06 start port of Sanxenxo, Galicia, at the end of last year, attracting some of the world’s top sailors and bringing together the world of offshore yachting with Olympic and dinghy sailing talent.

Overall Series Rankings (after two events)
1st Tommy Hilfiger 16 pts
2nd Basilica 15 pts
3rd Motorola – CHR 12 pts
4th Volvo Ocean Race 12 pts
5th Holmatro 11 pts

Remaining Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix Series Dates
Portsmouth, UK 27 May – 3 June, 2006
Rotterdam, Netherlands 9-14 June, 2006