Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 in Lisbon

Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:00

Lisbon is ready to welcome the best sailors in the World. Lisbon Stopover is scheduled for May-June 2012.  The Portuguese capital has been chosen as a transatlantic stopover for the prestigious international regatta Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012, regarded as the Around the World of Sailing. In the circumnavigating route of this competition, Lisbon will be the first European port to host the best yachtsmen in the world and most experienced international crews, after their Atlantic Ocean crossing.  Arriving from Miami, Florida, the crews will be welcomed at Pedrouços Docks, just outside Lisbon, on June 8-10, from where they will head off for Lorient, in France, as part of the 8th leg of this event. The choice of Lisbon to host one of the ten stages of this regatta has been chosen over dozens of other candidates from other equally important cities.  The Portuguese capital’s unique geographical location, as a gateway between Europe and the Atlantic, its maritime tradition and natural conditions for nautical sports were some of the differentiating factors that helped Lisbon win the hosting of the Volvo Ocean Race. Also worth noting is Lisbon’s proven track record for organizing large-scale events.  In order to host this international regatta under optimal conditions, the Pedrouços area is undergoing an upgrade project designed to improve the existing maritime and urban infrastructures as part of the Riverside Front renovation plans.  Held every four years, the next round the world Volvo Ocean Race started last October in Alicante (Spain), and will finish on 8^th July 2012, in Galway (Ireland), passing through Capetown, Abu Dhabi, Sanya, Auckland, Itajai, Miami, Lisbon and Lorient.