the Volvo Ocean Race
/ðə ˌvɒlvəʊ ˌəʊʃn ˈreɪs/
/ðə ˌvɑːlvəʊ ˈəʊʃn reɪs/
- a major international round-the-world race for sailing boats, which first took place in 1973. The boats start in Europe and race in stages to different ports around the world. The race takes place every three years and used to be called the Whitbread Round the World Race.