State-of-the-art fleet ready to sail

After two years of planning and development, a new fleet of round-the-world racing yachts begin the Volvo Ocean Race in Alicante this afternoon.

Hopes are running high that the breakages and gear failures of the last edition can be avoided with a switch to matching ‘one-design’ 65-foot yachts.

Ireland has no team entry and after two editions that featured Galway as a stop-over and finishing port, the 39,000-mile race will not appear in Irish waters.