The Volvo Ocean race, formerly known as the Whitbread Round-the- World-Race, will commence from Vigo, Spain.
Jan Berent, the Managing Director of the Team ABN AMRO, who will be fielding two boats in the race, elaborated on the race at the Fairmont Hotel yesterday.
"This is the toughest and longest ocean race and is scheduled to commence from November 12," said Berent.
"The event, which takes place every four years since its inception in 1973, will be keenly contested this year," added Berent who explained in length about Team ABN AMRO.
"This is the first time we are entering two boats. These are Formula One racing boats, which have been meticulously designed and developed over the past two years."
Berent explained that the race will consist of nine legs. "It will start from Spain, then sail to Cape Town, Melbourne, Wellington, Rio, Baltimore, New York, Portsmouth, Rotterdam and finish at Gothenburg," he said.
This race has the reputation of being the ultimate test of speed and endurance and is expected to push the sailors and their boats to the limit.
The race will cover a distance of 32,000 miles.
"Earlier, it used to be completed only in 120 days. With new and faster boats this race will be completed in 80 days," said Berent.
Last year's event was watched by 811 million television viewers.
