Octo more Masterclass 08.2;

The 13th Volvo Ocean Race (volvooceanrace.com) will crisscross four oceans, six continents, and 45,000 nautical miles before it reaches its final destination in the Hague this June. But the legendary around-the-world sailing competition will make only one North American stop, and that’s in the sailing mecca of Newport, R.I. For 2 weeks in May, the tony New England town will become ground zero for the seafaring extravaganza, playing host to the end of leg eight (a 5,700-nautical-mile journey originating in Itajaí, Brazil) and the beginning of leg nine (a transatlantic stretch culminating in Cardiff, Wales). In between, visitors to Newport’s race village can watch in-port practice sprints between the world’s most skilled sailors. For the best port views, stay at the new Gurney’s Newport Resort &Marina (gurneysresorts.com) on Goat Island, just opposite the race village. — J.C.