Volvo Ocean Race sails on with key partner

Sailmaker North Sails has extended its partnership with the Volvo Ocean Race sailing event.

North Sails has been named the exclusive official supplier of sails for the 2017-18 edition of the race. The company also provided sails for the 2014-15 event.

“North Sails was chosen against a lot of criteria and not necessarily because of a long history in ocean racing and the Volvo Ocean Race,” Nick Bice, head of the race’s Boatyard maintenance centre, said. “Many elements have contributed to the final decision, including the simple fact that the North Sails 3DiTM product is very good.”

The Volvo Ocean Race takes place once every three years and lasts around eight months. The 2014-15 event was won by the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team, which was led by Britain’s Ian Walker.

The full route for the 2017-18 edition has not yet been finalised, although it will start in Alicante in Spain and conclude in the Swedish city of Gothenburg.