Back in 2015, I wrote the piece below in response to the overwhelming response in Newport to the Volvo Ocean Race (since rebranded just The Ocean Race), a worldwide sailing event that stopped in Newport that year. On its website, The Ocean Race explains that first stopover in Newport, writing:
The first Newport stopover in The Ocean Race was hosted by Sail Newport during the 2014–15 edition and the fleet returned again for the 2017–18 race, making the 2022–23 Newport stop the city’s third consecutive participation in the around-the-world race.
The Ocean Race event had a wide-ranging economic and tourism impact on the community. The 2015 stopover generated an estimated $47.7 million to the Ocean State’s economy. Both previous visits of The Ocean Race to Sail Newport drew large visitor numbers, with over 137,000 people in the race village at Fort Adams in 2015 and over 100,000 in 2018.
The 2015 stopover in Newport marked the birth of the sustainability programme for The Ocean Race, an initiative that subsequently expanded to all stopovers in the 2017–18 edition, in collaboration with 11th Hour Racing, the founding partner of the programme.
Action Line: Newport isn’t scheduled as a stopover for the smaller Atlantic 2026, but could potentially end up on the list of stopovers for The Ocean Race 2027. But you don’t have to wait that long to visit me in Newport, RI. When you want to talk about your portfolio with me, email me at ejsmith@yoursurvivalguy.com. Until then, click here to subscribe to my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter.
Originally posted May 18, 2015.
If you live in New England, or are visiting, there’s plenty of reasons to come visit Newport, RI. This weekend was buzzin’ from the Volvo Ocean Race stopover. The boats left port yesterday. Next stop Lisbon, Portugal.
You would never know our business is in the heart of it all. Our office is on William Street—a neat little street away from the hustle and bustle of Thames St. Give me a call if you’re planning a visit.
