Cardiff Volvo Ocean Race Stopover 2018

Whilst the weather outside is well below zero due to ‘The Beast from the East’, the Solent Events team are planning for sunnier times that will be with us before we know it.

This year sees the Volvo Ocean Race schedule a ‘stopover ‘ in Cardiff after departing Newport…. Rhode Island in the USA, rather than Newport Gwent that is! The latter option would save the 3300 mile upwind slog across the Atlantic, but wouldn’t really test the professional sailing crews racing in their virtually identical 65 foot carbon fibre yachts.

As a flashback to warmer days, Solent Events were delighted to host the Welsh Government for the stopover launch party back in August from our Lendy Cowes Week hospitality Marquee. The evening had a Welsh theme including Penderyn Welsh Whisky cocktails and Welsh Cheeses! Past winning skipper and sailing legend Ian Walker (pictured above) gave the welcoming speech with the great and the good from the sailing world in attendance.

Solent Events will be providing corporate and private group client hospitality options at the stopover both on and off the water. The stopover schedule will include an ‘In Port’ race day between the Volvo 65s in the Severn Estuary on Friday 8th June, M32 (superfast 32′ catamaran) racing inside Cardiff Bay on Saturday 9th before the race start on Sunday 10th June 2018. All three days will give a great backdrop for some seriously exclusive guest entertainment with opportunities to view the action up close. 

 

A vibrant event village will open on 27th May in readiness for the expected arrival on 28th onwards and will include public attractions as well as VIP entertaining facilities.

From Cardiff, the yachts will nip around the Southern coast of Ireland and up its East coast, around the top of Scotland before hurtling towards Gothenberg, a mere 1300 miles!

Get in touch for further information on 01590 674900 or info@solent-events.co.uk