The Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the Whitebread Round the World Race) encompasses an epic race between the best sailors in the world. Competitors speed across over some 32,700 miles of water. It lasts about ten months, covers four continents, both hemispheres, and a dozen of the Worlds most exciting ports. This event is held every four years. The race usually begins in England around September. The typical route travels south through the Atlantic Ocean, this takes the racers around the tip of Africa, and then around the Southern Ocean. The race finishes up by rounding Cape Horn and turning back into the Atlantic to head back to England

The event is divided into 9 legs. It is not uncommon for the competitors to battle against 100 foot waves and winds that reach 60 knots during the event. Which is why the race is renowned for testing each participants level of courage, will, and skill against the worst Mother Nature has to offer.

Each leg takes weeks to get through. During each leg participants on every boat sail 24 hours a day. Each person involved sacrifices sleep, warm showers, fresh food, privacy, and just plain comfort to accomplish this feat. After each leg the exhausted racers are given a breather. This time is used to rest up a bit before the next leg. Sailors indulge in the creature comforts that most of us take for granted such as, devouring all the fresh food they can, taking a hot shower, and catching up on sleep.

Time between each leg can last up to two and a half weeks. This gives the participants enough time to be away from the boat, and rest up before they have to endure the next leg. This does not mean they dont keep working out. They train on land between legs to upkeep their strength and stamina. A week before the next leg begins participants prepare by stocking food, and tracking the most efficient routes.

This years Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006 was the first not to begin in the United Kingdom. The race started in Vigo, Spain, on Nov. 12, 2005. This is also the first time that the Volvo Open 70 has been used. The new boat is about 1,000 kilograms lighter than the VO 60 that was used in the last race. The Volvo Open 70 has more sail area and includes a canting keel.

Recently the participants of the Volvo Ocean Race have completed the fifth leg of the race. The fifth leg started from Rio de Janeiro spanned almost five-thousand miles before finishing in Baltimore. The next leg will run from Baltimore/Annapolis to New York, NY.