Sail enthusiasts and expensive sports nuts alike, should be aware that leg seven of the boating world’s Formula One, the Volvo Ocean Race, began yesterday in one of my favourite parts of The United States, Boston. Some of you might recall the 2oceansvibe Strengthening Ties Tours of old, which often stopped by Boston, Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. A beautiful haven of chilled vibes where fishermen and movie stars share the same bars and conversation. So very cool.

Anyway, back to the Volvo Ocean Race. On Saturday, one year since christening PUMA’s il mostro in Boston Harbor, Hollywood angel Salma Hayek reprised her role as the boat’s godmother when she joined the PUMA Ocean Racing team to wish them well ahead of the 2,550 nautical mile leg across the Atlantic Ocean to Galway, Ireland.

Salma Hayek and her husband,
PPR’s Francois-Henri Pinault, get the low-down.

Kate and Leo

This, from Puma Ocean Racing:

Crowds of thousands lined the dock at Fan Pier, Boston, as family, friends and fans said an emotional goodbye to the PUMA Ocean Racing team. As the seven boat fleet raced a lap of Boston Harbor, hundreds of spectator boats followed the fleet out into thick fog in Broad Sound. As the Volvo Ocean Race fleet turned east into open water and raced out into the Atlantic, PUMA was in third place. The seventh of ten legs, the transatlantic crossing is set to be one of the toughest legs of the 37,000 nautical mile round the world race. Expected to take eight to ten days to complete, the PUMA Ocean Racing team are battling for a podium finish.

Puma’s il mostro with Boston in the background
EASILY the hottest yacht in “The Volvo”

Speaking on the dock in Boston this morning, Skipper Ken Read (USA) commented: “The Boston stopover has been truly overwhelming. The public support and interest in the Volvo Ocean Race and in particular the PUMA team has been phenomenal. Over the past couple of weeks, we have had so many sailing fans come and visit the race village, as well as so many more new fans being created. The response and energy of the people in this area has been great, and I’m thrilled that PUMA has been a part of that. I can’t thank Joe Fallon, the people of Fan Pier and their volunteers enough for helping make this stopover such a success, as well as all of our PUMA family based here in Boston.”

The Volvo Ocean Race is made up of ten legs, finishing in June 2009 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

By joining the race, PUMA has entered a new premium category and is the only Sportlifestyle company to participate in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09.

For more info about the race, the team and the cool sailing gear, check out the Puma Ocean Racing website.

Then also check out the team’s blog HERE.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW THEM ON TWITTER HERE!