It has been a stopover seven times, in a total of ten Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Races to date. After 2001/02, Auckland is now once again a stopover harbour before the yachts set off for Cape Horn and Brazil.
"The people of Auckland have a tremendous appreciation for sailing and the Volvo Ocean Race in particular," said Knut Frostad, Managing Director of the race, in a press release. "Many of the world's best sailors are from New Zealand and we are proud to bring the race back to the city of sailing, where we are sure of a great reception."
The Mayor of Auckland, John Banks, was also delighted with the decision: "Auckland has a proud history with this race and we are very much looking forward to welcoming the fleet and many spectators to our city once again."
When the Volvo Open 70 arrives in the harbour of the New Zealand metropolis, it will already have four legs in its wake. After the start in Alicante (Spain) in autumn 2011, the course will first lead to Cape Town, then on to Abu Dhabi and Sanya (China). After rounding Cape Horn in New Zealand, the boats will first call at Itajair (Brazil) and then sail via Miami (USA), Lisbon (Portugal) and Lorient (France) to the finish in Galway (Ireland). The eleventh Volvo Ocean Race will end there in summer 2012.
