Barcelona World Race 2014/2015

The Barcelona World Race is the first and only double-handed (two crew per boat), non-stop, round the world regatta. It is a lap of the globe starting and finishing in Barcelona (Spain). External assistance is permitted, although there are strict penalty regulations. This is an extreme sporting challenge and ocean adventure that puts human limits to the test.

The Barcelona World Race 2014/15 is the third edition of the regatta. The first edition was held in 2007/08 and the second in 2010/11. Organised by the Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona (FNOB), the regatta is part of the IMOCA Ocean Masters World Championships, with a coefficient of 8 and categorisation as an ISAF Major Event.

The start of the race is on the 31st of December 2014 at 13h00, with the starting line positioned opposite the W Barcelona hotel at the city's port. The finishes are forecasted for the end of March 2015.

The boats cover some 23,000 nautical miles in a circumnavigation from Barcelona to Barcelona, putting the capes of Good Hope (South Africa), Leeuwin (Australia) and Horn (Chile) to port (their left) and the Antarctic to starboard (their right). During the three months of racing the skippers make their way through 12 climate zones and cross 3 oceans, as well as sailing in the Mediterranean Sea.

The crews race on IMOCA 60 yachts, 18 metres in length. Their masts can reach up to a maximum of 29 metres, as high as a building with ten floors.