Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race
The Volvo Ocean Race is still two months from getting underway, but it is already starting to get more and more interesting. Teams are now entering a number of warm-up events in preparation for the round-the-world completion, and now it has been revealed that New Zealand racing legend Peter Burling is set to enter the race in an attempt to become the first person to win the Triple Crown of Sailing.Burling has joined Team Brunei and has already begun training with his new mates. He and the crew are now putting their ship through its paces prior to the October 22 start of the race. They started by racing from Plymouth, UK to Saint-Malo, France, which is the third stage of the Volvo Ocean Race’s Leg Zero qualifying series.
The helmsman is an experienced sailor who has rocketed to notoriety first by winning gold for New Zealand at the 2016 Olympics in the 49er class. Earlier this year, he added to his resume by also winning the America's Cup as part of Emirates Team New Zealand as well. This puts him in a rare position to be able to potentially win the third leg of sailing's so called "Triple Crown," which not only includes those two events but the Volvo Ocean Race as well.
“I’ve always wanted to do this race – although I haven’t done a lot offshore, I’ve always been keen to get involved but always struggled to find the time," Burling said prior to the start of the qualifying leg. "It seems like good timing and a great opportunity to learn a lot off a pretty experienced team.”
When the VOR gets underway in October, 7 teams will set sail on a race that will test them both mentally and physically. The event gets underway in Alicante, Spain, and eventually ends in The Hague sometime next June. In between they'll cover some 40,000 nautical miles, visit six continents, and make 11 ports of call.
"Round-the-world ocean racing has always excited me and I'm stoked to be part of Team Brunel on this epic edition," Burling said. He went on to add "I can't wait to be thrown into the challenge of extreme offshore racing and broaden my skills and sailing experience."
Find out more about the Volvo Ocean Race at the official website for the completion.
