When the starting signal is given on 21 June for the eagerly awaited Showdwon in the 13th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, it will not just be the seven yachts of the current Volvo fleet in action, three of which (Brunel, Mapfre, Dongfeng) can still win the overall standings and are preparing for a dramatic three-way battle. Parallel to the final leg from Gothenburg over 700 nautical miles to the finish harbour of The Hague, the Race of Legends will also start on Thursday, in which a total of twelve former Whitbread and Volvo yachts will take part. The German flag will finally be flying, as the Rostock-based Speedsailing team will be sending two of its three original Volvo Ocean Race racing yachts to the historic showdown at sea.
Ludwig Uhlmann will also be starting the Legends Race with his family and regular crew on "Rothmans". The management consultant from Dietenhofen near Nuremberg acquired the legendary Rothmans two years ago, which the British ocean-going warhorse Lawrie once sailed around the world in 1989/90, finishing in 4th place. The "Rothmans" is still at home at KSSS in the picturesque Stockholm suburb of Saltsjöbaden. Uhlmann explains: "I was in Stockholm two years ago and came across the 'Rothmans' by chance during the Gotland Race. For me, it was the sun coming up - the dream ship of my youth! I was a fan of the Whitbread Race in the eighties and nineties. They were like moon rockets for us back then. I had bought all the books, but of course never dared to dream of ever setting foot on such a boat..." Before the start of the Legends Race, Uhlmann said: "What I'm most looking forward to is sailing in this incredible fleet. This has never happened before! The only harbour race to date took place in Alicante in 2011. Now a long-distance race is on the programme. What more could an amateur want?"
The speed sailing yachts are based in Rostock's city harbour. Both Legends Race boats, which are otherwise used for guest trips and incentives, have already set course for Gothenburg. The "Ospa" (ex-"SEB") and the "Glashäger" (ex-"illbruck") will start. Both held the 24-hour record once in the eighth edition of the Volvo Ocean Race in 2001/02 and are still well-maintained racing goats with plenty of potential. Although the competition in the Legends Race is likely to be strong, Team Speedsailing reckons it has a good chance of being among the front runners.
The Legends Race uses the same starting line as the Volvo Ocean Race fleet. However, the legendary yachts will start about 45 minutes earlier after a parade in Gothenburg harbour. Their race will be 462 nautical miles long. The meeting point for all Legends Race sailors and fans is the Whitbread Bar in Gothenburg harbour. The Legends Race ambassador is none other than the Swedish doctor and navigator Roger Nilson, who has sailed the race himself seven times.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
