The Volvo Ocean Race is about speed and endurance. It’s a 32,000 nautical mile adventure around the world. Comfort rarely gets a mention. Hardly surprising.

Imagine spending up to four weeks cooped up in a 20 metre by five metre pen. Now picture sharing that space with nine others, some of whom you may, and probably have, fallen out with in that time. Escape is not a viable option. Add a few buckets of salt water thrown in your face every couple of seconds and you can appreciate the endeavour of the men and women taking part in this unique race. It is one of several reasons why more than 800 million people were gripped by the last race.

Each year records are set and broken when cutting edge technology meets cut-throat determination as the crews fight to be the first to reach the chequered flag at the eight month adventure which finishes in Gothenburg next June. A place in history awaits.

Spanning back three decades sailors have tackled some of the globe’s harshest environments in pursuit of this sport’s Holy Grail. The roll call includes Sir Peter Blake, Chay Blyth, Grant Dalton, Tracy Edwards, Roy Heiner and Chris Dickson among others. All are united by their need for an adrenaline fix and success around one of the toughest race tracks in sport. It’s an event that can make legends.

Seven boats from six teams will line-up at the start line ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. The race starts with an In Port race in Sanxenxo, Spain, on 5 November and finishes in Gothenburg in eight month’s time. There is just a small matter of five continents and four oceans in the meantime.

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