Volvo Ocean Race: In "Flyer's" stern water to The Hague

The upcoming Volvo Ocean Race is heading to the home of many famous circumnavigators: The Hague will be the finish harbour of the most famous team race around the world in 2018. After the acclaimed pit stop in The Hague at the last edition of the ocean marathon, the Dutch harbour town will be responsible for the final chord next time. The final stage takes the teams from Volvo's home town of Gothenburg to the Netherlands.

After the successful pit stop in The Hague, the 13th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race will once again take place in the Dutch beach harbour of Scheveningen

This was announced by the organisers on Wednesday at a press conference at the Dutch lido in Scheveningen near The Hague. Speaking on behalf of the organisers, outgoing COO Tom Touber said: "The Hague certainly deserves this award: the pit stop at the last regatta was one of the highlights of the entire race with a huge crowd of fans plus great media and a long list of VIP guests." Around 150,000 people made the pilgrimage to the regatta harbour in 2015.

Touber himself will soon be leaving the organising team, but said: "It feels like the crowning moment of my time and work for the Volvo Ocean Race. I can't wait for the really great spectacle in Scheveningen. It's going to be the party of a lifetime!" Touber had led both the victorious Team ABN Amro (2005/2006) and Delta Lloyd (2008/2009) in the chase around the globe. Both came from Holland.

Last time, seven-time Ocean Race participant Bouwe Bekking and his team Brunel only narrowly missed out on victory, losing out to Ian Walker's team Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing by five points. Bekking had nevertheless said time and again: "We Dutch simply have this race in our blood." The foundation for the Dutch passion for the Volvo Ocean Race was laid by the "Flying Dutchman" Cornelis van Rietschoten with his two victories in the Volvo forerunner Whitbread Round the World Race in 1977/1978 and 1981/1982 with his legendary yachts called "Flyer", and he won the hearts of his compatriots early on with two victories.

The 13th Volvo Ocean Race will start in Alicante in autumn 2017 shortly after the end of the America's Cup held off Bermuda. This means that after the current Olympic year with the Vendée start this autumn, professional sailing is set for another super sailing year full of highlights.