ALICANTE, Spain – When the Volvo Ocean Race starts this weekend, it will feature the smallest starting field of six yachts in the 38-year history of the event.
The six teams will compete in the grueling around-the-world race, hoping to navigate more than 39,000 nautical miles on their way to one of the most prestigious titles in sailing.
The race starts with an in-port race in Alicante on Saturday before the first offshore leg begins on Nov. 5. The race ends in July in Galway, Ireland.
Team Sanya's skipper Mike Sanderson said all six teams have enough experience and skill to win the event.
Sanderson said "never before has it been so hard to pick a favorite. We have an incredibly level playing field and it's going to be an amazing race."
