Unrest suspends Barcelona World Race

After a new format for the doublehanded Barcelona World Race 2018-19 was revealed in December for the fourth edition of the round the world challenge in IMOCA 60 boats, organizers have decided to suspend the planed start on the 12th of January 2019.

This decision is due to the political and institutional difficulties now present in Spain.

From the Barcelona Ocean Sailing Foundation (FNOB) Board of Trustees:
A sporting event of this scale requires significant private sponsorship, which is its only source of funding. And this last year, the course of events has prevented the FNOB from ensuring a reliable sponsorship process, and therefore guaranteeing the delivery of the best Barcelona World Race to the teams, their sponsors and the public.

The decision to suspend the race is all the more difficult given that its new format (start January 12, mandatory stopover in Sydney and possible change of co-skipper) has significantly increased interest among the IMOCA teams and strengthened its relevance within the IMOCA Globe Series calendar.

Understandably, this is a very disappointing situation for all the stakeholders, in particular the IMOCA class, and the teams engaged. In everyone’s best interest, this decision could not be delayed any longer. In the meantime, the FNOB will do everything in its power to support IMOCA with potential alternative solutions.

And as of today, the FNOB is starting discussions with IMOCA with the aim to secure a future edition of the Barcelona World Race in 2022-23.

Race details – Facebook

About the Barcelona World Race
The Barcelona World Race is a double-handed (two crew – skipper and co-skipper) round the world regatta, starting and finishing in Barcelona, with two legs: Barcelona – Sydney – Barcelona. The regatta turned 10 years old in November 2017 and notching up three editions so far, it has become a cornerstone event in the worldwide transoceanic yacht racing calendar.

The yachts race round the world on a route some of 26,000 nautical miles (48,152 km) in length. The first edition was held in 2007/08; the second in 2010/11 and the third in 2014/15. Until now the regatta was non-stop, making the brand-new stopover in Sydney an exciting new racing feature.