Governor Gina M. Raimondo, in partnership with Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Paiva Weed, joined Volvo Ocean Race and Sail Newport today to announce the return of the Volvo Ocean Race to Newport in 2018. Rhode Island will again be the only North American stopover port for the grand prix sailing event.
"We are thrilled to welcome the Volvo Ocean Race back to Rhode Island," Raimondo said. "We look forward to working together with Volvo Ocean Race and Sail Newport, across all levels of government to build on this year's success. Together, we will continue to showcase the Ocean State to the world as a premiere destination to visit and grow a business."
Nearly 130,000 fans participated in Race festivities during the 13-day event last spring, with more than half traveling to Rhode Island from other U.S. states and abroad. According to a recent report commissioned by Sail Newport, the economic impact of the 2015 stopover on Rhode Island is estimated over $47 million.
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