While the 1997-98 Whitbread Round the World Race is still underway, the first entry for the next race, to be sponsored by Volvo, has been announced from Germany.

Willi Illbruck, a notable competitor on the world Grand Prix yacht racing scene, is about to take a step further through his international Illbruck Group and will sponsor and build a contender for the 2001/2002 event.

American John Kostecki, who sailed the third and fourth legs of this Whitbread aboard George Collins's Chessie Racing, has been nominated skipper of Illbrucks' challenge and the boat, like all of those from this stable, will be named Pinta.