May 18, 2012 - 1300 UTC CANDIDATE CITIES SELECTED FOR 12TH AND 13TH EDITIONS OF THE VOLVO OCEAN RACE Volvo Ocean Race S.L.U. has selected the successful candidates who will go through to the final stage of the bid process to become host cities for the 12th and 13th editions of the Volvo Ocean Race, scheduled for 2014-15 and 2017-18. Of more than 60 applications received, a record number of 33 will progress through to the Candidate phase. The bid process, managed by London-based sports agency The Sports Consultancy and launched earlier this year, received over 60 Expressions of Interest. The successful host cities will be announced at the end of 2012 and the race route for the 12th and 13th editions of the race confirmed. Commenting on the bid process, The Sports Consultancy Managing Director Angus Buchanan said: “We have been very impressed with the number, quality and geographic spread of bid applications received, which in turn has enabled us to select the best possible Candidates with whom we will progress discussions. “The desire to host this spectacular event is stronger than ever which is testament not only to the appeal of the event to spectators but also a recognition of the significant economic benefits that the Volvo Ocean Race brings to its host cities.” Knut Frostad, Chief Executive of Volvo Ocean Race, added: “When selecting a route for the Volvo Ocean Race it is important that we consider a range of factors including sporting, commercial, heritage and legacy. "This formal host city bid process allows us to choose the best possible route by identifying the strongest host city partnerships that will benefit the race, its hosts and the event’s growing global audience.” Contacts For more information on the Volvo Ocean Race please visit: www.volvooceanrace.com For media information on the Volvo Ocean Race, please contact: Sophie Luther ? Communications Manager (traveling) sophie.luther@volvooceanrace.com Lizzie (Green) Ward ? (UK) Mob +44 7801 185 320 lizzie.ward@volvooceanrace.com Christina Gaither- Press Assistant (Spanish language) christina.gaither@volvooceanrace.com Volvo Ocean Race HQ (Spain) Tel +34 966 011 100 press@volvooceanrace.com Media Guide Download in English (39 MB) or read flip version online Images High resolution images can be downloaded from http://images.volvooceanrace.com Tim Stonton - Picture Desk Manager (Spain) Tel +34 966 011 151 / Mob +34 606 905 497 tim.stonton@volvooceanrace.com Broadcast For video inquiries, please contact: television@volvooceanrace.com Please visit: www.volvooceanrace.com/broadcastroom For any assistance please contact: sonia.kannengiesser@synapticdigital.com Radio For radio accreditation and requests please contact USP Content at: radio@volvooceanrace.com Media Zone www.volvooceanrace.com/mediazone Editors' Notes: The Volvo Ocean Race The Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 started on October 29 in Alicante, Spain and will finish in Galway, Ireland in July. The course of the race includes stopovers in Cape Town (South Africa), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Sanya (China), Auckland (New Zealand), Itajaí (Brazil), Miami (USA), Lisbon (Portugal) and Lorient (France). The first race first took place 38 years ago (as the Whitbread Round the World Race 1973-74), testing the crews against some of the most ferocious elements that man can encounter. The 2011-12 race takes the teams over 39,000 nautical miles (45,000 miles or 72,000 kilometres). Volvo Ocean Race S.L.U. Registered Office: Muelle N° 10 de Levante, Puerto de Alicante, 03001 Alicante, Spain. Registered in Spain No.: B54460910. This email and any files transmitted are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If you have received this email in error, please notify webmaster@volvooceanrace.com.