Yachting: Round-the-world race still seaworthy, says organiser

By JULIE ASH

Rumours that the round-the-world ocean race is going under are unfounded, says race chief executive Helge Alten.

Speculation about the future of the Volvo-sponsored event was sparked after the company hired a consulting firm to look at the event.

"They are looking at what is going well and what we'll change for the future, if anything," Alten said.

"It doesn't show that we are not happy, it shows we are caring about the event enough to spend money to ensure any future events are made even better."

But Alten would not say that the future of the race was secure.

"I can't say that, not yet anyway, but I sincerely hope so. I hope that Volvo, as they have in many other sports, stay involved for a long time."

The carmaker brought the race rights from Whitbread for $US7.5 million ($17.76 million) in 1997 and has spent more than $US30 million on organising and promotion.

Alten said it had been a great race, and although there were fewer boats all were competitive.

"We have to look at getting the cost down, to get more boats competing, but it is good to have around 10 boats. That way, the main sponsor can be seen."

He said the Auckland stopover had been successful, despite only a small number of spectators turning out to welcome the boats.

"There was a lot of debate about the timing of the stopover at that time, because a lot of people are on vacation. But we wanted to compete in the Sydney to Hobart race.

"I honestly think we had a pretty good turnout for the first couple of boats. We had a great turnout for the [subsequent Viaduct Harbour arrival] concert."

He said the lack of a "pure" New Zealand boat might have contributed to the lack of spectators at the finish line, but he could not see Auckland being overlooked as a stopover in the future.

"More than one-third of the sailors [on the competing boats] come from this country.

"I would be surprised if the race didn't come back, but there is always partnership in these things and it depends on what the Auckland City Council wants to do."

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