Barcelo world race suspended over political instability

Barcelo, March 29: The fourth edition of the Barcelo world race has been suspended due to difficulties in finding sponsorship brought about by political instability in Spain, the Barcelo Ocean Sailing Foundation announced on Thursday. Starting and finishing in the Catalan city in northeastern Spain, the two-crew round-the-world yacht race was set to kick off on January 12, 2019. “A sporting event of this scale requires significant private sponsorship, which is its only source of funding. And this last year, the course of events has prevented the FNOB from ensuring a reliable sponsorship process,” FNOB said in a statement. The event’s organisers regretted having had to suspend the race “given that its new format has significantly increased interest,” among teams. Despite the suspension, the FNOB was planning to organise a new edition of the Barcelo World Race, to be held in 2022-23 . IANS