The forerunner of the Volvo Ocean Race, the Whitbread Round the World Race, was conceived ‘over a pint’ nearly 30 years ago by Colonel Bill Whitbread and Admiral Otto Steiner, of the Royal Naval Sailing Association.
The race started in September 1973 in yachts that were little different from those then to be found cruising anywhere in the world.
Since then, the ocean racing yacht has developed into a high-tech state-of-the-art speed machine, with few home comforts for the crew. Cooking is done on a pair of gas burners, there’s no shower and crew have only one change of clothing, even on the longest legs.
Technology does make it possible for people to follow the race closely.
In the early days, skippers and navigators had little idea of where their rivals might be as they ploughed through the oceans. Communication between the fleet and organisers during the first race was a weekly position report to a local coast guard.
From 1993-94, satellite equipment enabled the yachts to file their position every six hours. Race HQ can now track the yachts 24 hours a day anywhere in the world.
1973-74 The first Race
Winner: Sayula II, skippered by Ramon Carlin (MEX)
17 boats were on the start line and Carlin and his multinational crew took 152 days to complete the course.
1977-78
Winner: Flyer, skippered by Cornelius van Rietschoten (NED)
15 yachts were on the start line and the ‘Flying Dutchman’ took 136 days to complete the course
1981-82
Winner: Flyer, skippered by Cornelius van Rietschoten (NED)
29 yachts started the race, but nine failed to finish. The Dutchman took 119 days to complete the course.
1985-86
Winner: L’Esprit d’Equipe, skippered by Lional Pean (FRA)
15 yachts started the race and Pean, skippering on the smallest boats in the fleet completed the course in 111 days.
1989-90
Winner: Steinlager, skippered by Peter Blake (NZL)
23 boats started the race and Steinlager won every leg of the race. It was also the first race to see the first all-women entry, Maiden (Tracey Edwards GBR)
1993-94
Winner: Maxi class – New Zealand Endeavour, skippered by Grant Dalton (NZL)
Winner: Whitbread 60 class – Yamaha, skippered by Ross Field (NZL)
Two separate divisions on the race course with four Maxis and ten Whitbread 60’s competing. A second all-female boat competed in the Whitbread 60 class – Heineken, skippered by Dawn Riley (USA).
1997-98
Winner: EF Language, skippered by Paul Cayard (USA)
The fleet was made up of once class only and ten boats crossed the start line in Southampton.
2001-2002
Winner: Illbruck, skippered by John Kosteki (USA)
Eight boats crossed the start line for the 32,250-mile race
2005-2006
Winner: ABN Amro, skippered by Mike Sanderson (NZL)
A new boat, the canting keel Volvo Open 70 (VO70), a new course and the new In Port race series, signaled major changes to the race format.
2008-09
Winner: Ericsson 4, skippered by Torben Grael (BRA)
A route change saw the boat race to India and China and a new crew member, the Media Crew Member meant that there was a journalist on the front line bringing the race to life.
