The Volvo Ocean Race is the world's premier offshore race, an exceptional test of sailing prowess and human endeavour, which started over 37 years ago as the Whitbread Round the World Race. The 11th edition of the race starts in Alicante, Spain in October 2011 and concludes in Galway, Ireland, during early July 2012, The teams will sail over 39,000 nautical miles of the world's most treacherous seas via Cape Town, Abu Dhabi, Sanya, Auckland, around Cape Horn to Itajai, Miami, Lisbon, and Lorient. The Volvo Ocean Race crews will experience life at the extreme as they race day and night for more than 20 days at a time, living on freeze-dried food and combating the harshest weather conditions the planet can offer. Keep up to date with the action here.