Veolia Environment announced its sponsorship of the SolOceans at a press conference in Paris. The chances of Sir Robin being on the start line for another solo race are unlikely, but it’s formatisinteresting: the first single-handed oceanic round-the-world race to be sailed on identical 16m One Design monohulls, on a France-New Zealand-France course.

The start date has been provisionally named as 25 October 2009 and the race will then be run every two years.

The France – New Zealand – France course will round the three capes: Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn. It will include two legs, each of about fifty to fifty five days, with approximately a month-long stopover in New Zealand.

The Oceanic One Design will bear the official series name of Veolia Oceans. The yachts will be constructed using prepreg carbon, baked at 90 degrees, guaranteeing compliance with the weight and similarity of structure requirements.