euskadiessencial
Menu helps
Main Menu
BIZKAIA - Bilbao, a booming city
> Velux 5Oceans Bilbao-Bilbao
To sail round the world is a feat. To do it single-handed is within the reach of only the greatest of sailors. The 5 Oceans 2006 Yacht Race starts and finishes in the port of Getxo, Bilbao.
The news broke at the London Boat Show, an exhibition of boats held in the British capital, at the beginning of January 2005. Bilbao had been chosen from the thirty-five cities aspiring to host the 5 Oceans yacht race on its 25th edition.
Clipper Ventures, organiser of the event, gave the reasons for this choice when they pointed out Bilbao’s sound infrastructure, its urban renewal and the excellent geographic location of the capital of Bizkaia for the start of the race.
At the same event, representatives of Bilbao City Council and the Regional Government of Bizkaia, promoters of the candidacy, spoke of the city’s preparation and interest in “receiving the heroes of sailing of today”.
Both institutions have formally agreed to invest a million and a half euro for hosting the event. The adaptation of moorings and facilities, accommodation for the skipper and their back-up teams and the building of infrastructure for the spectators are some of the aspects on which the money will be spent.
The 5 Oceans yacht race is extensively covered by the media. Though coverage is particularly intense during the start and finish, it continues throughout the race.
The personal adventure of each of the sailors will be followed by millions of spectators all over the world.