© Ryan O'Grady/aqua-image.net

Veteran offshore sailor Sidney Gavignet is trying to climb a steep learning curve during his first season on the Extreme Sailing Series.

Sidney Gavignet is no stranger to high-pressure yacht racing. A veteran of four Volvo Ocean Races, the last with Puma Ocean Racing, and the skipper of the giant maxi trimaran Oman Air, you’d think that day racing small catamarans would be a walk in the park for one of the most experienced skippers in the Extreme Sailing Series. 

Caller ID can be a wonderful thing. On one of the coldest days of the year, my mood was immediately brightened seeing the phone ring from an old sailing friend. Hoping the call was an invite to a tropical sailing event, I picked up the phone. "Did you hear about the Admiral?” Tom asked. “He’s very sick. I’m going to see him now, you should come along if you can.”

© Patrick Eden/RORC

By setting a course record in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race earlier this year, Franck Cammas and Groupama put competing Volvo Ocean Race teams on high alert.

In less than a year, the starting gun will fire on the world’s premier crewed global ocean race. So far, six teams have officially entered the Volvo Ocean Race, and an equal number of teams are still dreaming of making the start. While race CEO Knut Frostad has often predicted 10 entries, the current economic climate has made it hard even for established teams to find the financing they need.  So, who will make it to the starting line, and who will win?

The Official Entries (in alphabetical order)