Newport says goodbye to the Volvo Ocean Race

The fleet has just landed in Cardiff, UK. The Race Village containers have been picked up and shipped out to Gothenburg, Sweden. Great weather on the front and back end of the stopover sandwiched some cold, rainy, and fogy days in between. Race fans still flowed in the thousands to visit Fort Adams and experience the Life at the Extreme. I don't think I've ever seen so much fowl weather gear in one place that wasn't physically on the water! - Some true race fans right there!

Newport welcomed the fleet for an early morning arrival in dense fog and no wind. The two leaders didn't appear to the crowds at Fort Adams until meters before crossing the finish line. Mapfre edged out ahead of Team Brunel to take the win for the leg.

The stopover experienced a great turn out of race fans throughout the two week event. Over 100,000 spectators came to Newport to view these ocean going machines, sponsor activations, and events that the Volvo Ocean Race brought to town.

Sail Newport, the organizing authority for the Host City put on a great event with a strong support of local team members; many of which are veterans of the sailing industry events including previous Volvo Ocean Race editions, Whitbread Round the World Races as well as many America's Cups. Our team could not have had such a successful stopover without the immense support of our 53 sponsors. From our Co-Hosts include the State of Rhode Island, Department of Environmental Management, Commerce Rhode Island and Discover Newport, down to all of our Community Partners, all helped to activate Newport! The goal was not only to show off everything Volvo Ocean Race and Fort Adams had to offer, but to show off what Newport and the State of Rhode Island has to offer as well.

My role focused on the commercial side managing sponsor fulfillment and activation, branding throughout the race village, and working with the State of Rhode Island and our license agreement to meet insurance requirements for the event.

The race will leave Cardiff on June 10th headed towards Gothenburg, Sweden. The race concludes with a final stop in The Hague, Netherlands on June 30th. In the coming months Volvo Ocean Race will also announce their plans for the next edition or editions of the race, including dates, routes, and types of boats. Stay tuned to Volvo Ocean Race's social media channels as well as website for more information on that.

It was such a pleasure to work on this race again. Met some awesome new friends, reconnected with many past colleagues and friends as well.

On to the next one... AR