33,000 miles racing around the Globe, Wellington to be the second port of call for the Global Ocean Race 2011-12.

The Global Ocean Race 2011-12, whose maiden edition was de Portimao Golbal Ocean Race 2008-09, will start from the island of Mallorca, and will reach Wellington around the end of December 2011, after its first stopover in Cape Town. This edition has already 21 confirmed entries for a double handed race on Class 40 yachts.

This international event which brings together sailors from over 18 different countries, has a highly competitive New Zealand team among its competitors, composed of Ross and Cambel Field, father and son will race the second classified in the double handed division of the previous edition, “Desafío Cabo de Hornos”, a 2007 Verdier Design (more info here http://www.globaloceanrace.com/index.php?page=news&lang=en&news_id=464), as well as some of the best sailors in this ever growing Class which has become synonym of highly exciting and close competition, where difference among competitors are often reduced to hours after long transatlantic races.

Also, New Zealand boating industry is represented with at least two Kiwi 40 FC, from BT Boats Ltd, a Farr Yacht Design third generation Class 40 built at Cookson Boats facility in Auckland.

The course for The Global Ocean Race 2011-12 takes in some of the roughest waters on the planet. Starting in Mallorca, Spain the race stops in Cape Town, South Africa; Wellington, New Zealand; Punta del Este, Uruguay and Charleston, USA before finishing back in Mallorca, a total of approximately 33,000 nautical miles.

Wellington will be not only the finish of Leg 2, but also the start for Leg 3, scheduled for 29th January, in which the yachts will leave for Punta del Este, sailing round one of the World’s most famous landmarks, Cape Horn. And, then, Leg 4 will take them to Charles-ton, South Carolina, from where the final leg will start for the final finish line in Mallorca, completing a 33.000 mile circumnavigation race.

The Global Ocean Race will be berthed at Queens Wharf, very near from the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, which is the host yacht club for the stopover and famous among oceanic sailors round the World for its hospitality.

The Global Ocean Race will establish a Race Village which will remain open to the general public n Wellington for approximately three weeks during the stopover, offering local fans the chance of visiting the competing yachts, meet the skippers, or attend the various events that will be arranged by the Race Organization and Sponsors.

Read more about the Global Ocean race 2011-12 at www.globaloceanrace.com

ENDS

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