For the second time after 2008 the Volvo Ocean Boat race started here in Alicante.
Not being a sailing guy myself, I took couple of days off and had a look what this is all about. And – WOW – little did I know how impressive sailing can be. There is only 6 boats competing for the prestigious trophy. But, impressive pieces of high-tech and boat building.
The race will take them in nine legs literally around the world. From Alicante to Cape Town, on to Abu Dhabi, over to Sanya (China), down to Auckland and via Itajal to Miami, Lisbon and Lorient (France).
With the final leg to Galway where the race will end around 3rd July 2012.
For about one week the Volvo Ocean Race organizers put together a nice in-port race, several shows and a “legends” race, all ending with the boats departing on the first leg to South Africa, where they are expected to around 25th November 2011.
With all the impressions I got from the tremendous power and speed of those boats, I surely have become an addict to boat racing.
Below find the gallery of over 60 pictures I took during several days.
Hope you get a bit of a feeling the tremendous force and speed those boats develop. Truly an impressive experience.
PS: The Volvo Ocean Race organizers put together a fantastic website with the latest images, videos and live race updates. Have a look at http://www.volvooceanrace.com and you might also become a fan of a new sport.