The Volvo Ocean Race tests some of the world's best professional sailors

The Volvo Ocean Race will begin from Alicante in Spain for the next three editions of the around-the-world race, organisers announced on Thursday.

The event's headquarters will also move from the south coast of England where it has been based since it began as the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1973.

The 2008-09 edition of the four-yearly event features 10 legs and ends in St Petersburg, Russia, at the end of June.

"This is a great moment for the Volvo Ocean Race," said chief Knut Frostad.

"The support and hospitality we received from Alicante as the start port of the current race left a very positive impression with us.

"One of our goals, as we've looked ahead to the next race, has been to establish long-term relationships with our stopover ports, and, for economic reasons, to base our headquarters in one of the stopover ports.

"But this only makes sense when both parties can make a long-term commitment. And that's the partnership we are announcing today with Alicante.

"Spanish sailors outnumber all other nations in the current competition and Spain has shown consistently that it understands event culture, and how to organise sporting competition.

"The region has demonstrated many times that it excels as a sailing competition venue."

The Volvo Ocean Race fleet is in Boston, USA, after completing six stages since setting out from Alicante on 11 October.

Leg seven from Boston to Galway, Ireland, begins on 16 May.

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