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GLOBAL OCEAN RACE – The double-handed Global Ocean Race 2011-12 (GOR) Class40s are currently picking up speed off Brazil in the 5,700-mile Leg 4 from Punta del Este, Uruguay, to Charleston, USA, having completed around 23,000 miles of racing since the start in Palma, Mallorca, last September and have, so far, visited three stopovers in South Africa, New Zealand and South America.
With some skippers racing in the current edition of the GOR already expressing interest in the GOR 2013-14 and with seven serious entries already lining up for the next edition, the GOR Race Organisation is in the process of formalising the next round-the-world challenge. The GOR 2013-14 format was constructed to include a single-handed division and a double-handed division with the same Team Entry option for the duos that is in place for the current race, permitting the opportunity to swap one co-skipper at each of the stopovers – an innovation that has proven appeal in cost-sharing for the circumnavigation.
Following consultation with a selection of round-the-world sailors and international sailing organisations and clubs, the decision has been made to include a third, fully-crewed (four crew) Class40 division for the GOR 2013-14, with up to three crew allowed to be changed in each stopover. There are three fundamental reasons behind this choice. GOR Race Director, Josh Hall, explains: “It is clear that we and the skippers would like more boats out on the water, regardless of the crew format,” confirms Hall. MORE STORY
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