Volvo Ocean Race Reveals South American Stop

Just as promised, names of the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race host ports from around the world keep pouring in, placing Brazil for the sixth time on the event’s map. The city of Itajaí, located in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina will play host to the race, which will start in Alicante in the autumn of 2011.

"It's an honour for our city to host such a glorious sailing event in our waters and represent Santa Catarina and Brazil in the Volvo Ocean Race, the most important ocean sailing competition in the world," said mayor Jandir Bellini.

"Itajaí is a nautical Garden of Eden and one of the reasons it was chosen as a stopover," added State Governor Luiz Henrique da Silveira. "We are very proud to welcome the Volvo Ocean Race," he continued.

Santa Catarina will use the Volvo Ocean Race to demonstrate its ability to organise large-scale events. The Race Village will be situated in the port area, which is located on the mouth of the Itajaí-Acu River, near a large metropolitan area and close to the beach resort of Camboriú.

"We are pleased to confirm Itajaí's inclusion in our race around the world. After rounding Cape Horn, our racing teams will truly appreciate the warm welcome that Brazil is famous for, and it will be the perfect place for the crews to regain their strength after such a testing leg in the Southern Ocean." Knut Frostad, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, and team member of the 2005-06 Brasil 1 project, said in a release.