The Volvo Ocean Race will sail to Baltimore and Annapolis on Sunday, bringing with it a healthy economic boost and worldwide attention to the region.
The race will cover 32,700 nautical miles and will make ports of calls in nine destinations during the course of about seven months. The Chesapeake stopover will be the fifth, and is one of only two United States locations where the sailboats will dock.
According to Greg Barnhill, partner at Brown Advisory and president of Ocean Race Chesapeake, the nonprofit organization heading up the local portion of the worldwide race, this year?s stopover is expected to meet or exceed the $25 million in direct spending and $50 million in overall impact that the region saw in 1998.
Lee Tawney, secretary for Ocean Race Chesapeake, said equally important as the economic impact is the international interest the stopover will generate.
“It further positions the region ? in the international marketplace because the reporting on the race lasts for seven months and it?s worldwide coverage,” Tawney said. “It provides a further recognition of who we are ? and what we can do.”
Barhill added that high-level executives from the companies sponsoring the sailing teams who will come to the region and conduct business while they are here will also be important for the region.
“The fact that these high-level executives from all over the world will see Maryland ? we really don?t know the extent of that positive impact, but once these boats leave Rio [to come to Baltimore and Annapolis] you?re going to have an international focus on this region.”
Nancy Hinds, a spokeswoman with the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association, said that having Volvo Ocean Race organizers choose the region for the third time in a row is reason enough for Baltimore and Annapolis to tout their international appeal, especially considering that other U.S. cities that hosted the events previously did not make the list this time.
“It says a lot about the city and how the city made them feel the last time they were here,” Hinds said.
To further attract visitors, the stopover will again coincide with the annual Baltimore Waterfront Festival and the Maryland Maritime Heritage Festival in Annapolis.
Race details
» Seven teams
» Arrive in Baltimore on April 16
» Parade of Sail to Annapolis, May 4
» Race restarts from Annapolis May 7
What?s going on?
» Baltimore Waterfront Festival, Thursday April 27 to Sunday, April 30
» Maryland Maritime Heritage Festival, Thursday May 4 to Sunday May 7
