The ultimate race around the world, the Volvo Ocean Race, arrives in
Cape Town at the beginning of December. Seven super-fast yachts left Vigo
in Spain on Saturday 12 November and started the arduous, 11 500 plus
kilometre journey to Table Bay. Residents and holidaymakers alike can
expect to be treated to an exhilarating finish with Table Mountain
creating unpredictable “wind shadows” and sloops overtaking each other
right up to the last.
Once rested, the teams will compete in an “in-port” race around the
harbour on 26 December and celebrate the New Year South African-style,
before leaving for Australia on 2 January 2006.
The Volvo Ocean Race takes place every four years and is sailing’s
most prestigious and grueling event. The fleet will sail nine legs and
nearly 43, 000 kilometres before reaching the finish line in Gothenburg,
Sweden, the home of Volvo.
The epic, nine-month race is often called the toughest challenge in
sport; no other competition asks so much of both participants and
equipment, and no other event puts so many competitors at such risk, for
so long. The teams can expect to face three-story high swells,
iceberg-strewn seas and ship-swallowing squalls between their stopovers in
South Africa, Australia, South America, the US and Europe.
As well as watching all the activity on the boats berthed alongside, there
will be plenty of entertainment for visitors to enjoy, including a public
forum with crew and team members ready to answer questions.
As the official mobile partner of the Volvo Ocean Race, Ericsson is
also providing the technology to allow everyone to get involved in the
race. Through a mobile device or on the internet people will be able to
track the race 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and experience what the
crews are going through. Anyone can join the race via their mobile phone
by simply SMSing " JOIN" to +46 737 49 49 49 or visiting the team’s
website at
www.ericssonracingteam.com
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