Volvo Ocean Race #The Future is Coming

Image: Volvo Ocean Race 

May 10...the counter clicks down...

164 days, 17 hours, 19 minutes, 33 seconds...

Are Teams ready? Round the World -the Most Extreme and most followed Regatta in the World is about to hit it hard! Volvo Ocean Race says: “the Future is Coming!”

On May 8 International Sailing News swiftly spread the news on the Final Fit Out for the boats that will take on the 2017-2018 Volvo Ocean Race. This edition is considered by far the most challenging due to tripled lengths spreading across the Southern Oceans´ dangerous waters.

What levels the playing field at the Ocean Volvo Race? Unique boat building. What makes the difference: sheer hand down Sailing.

For this edition the Boatyard kept very busy. They have almost completed the meticulous. In total 7 boats were refitted and one boat was built completely new.

The new Ocean 65 comes with new updates. They will have to endure the 10-leg race will visit 12 cities in six continents: Alicante, Lisbon, Cape Town, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Auckland, Itajaí, Newport, Cardiff, Gothenburg, and The Hague.

Seven teams are expected to show up for the show down. Some have already established their legendary performance.

Team Vestas 11th Hour Racing announced it was crossing the Atlantic to make way and training for the Volvo. Team MAPFRE is flying again in the water. In the past days it dismasted training hard and was up and running back in just 15 days. Dongfeng Race Team showed its teeth announcing three Chinese Crew Members -adding experience to an already Volvo experienced crew. Yes, Icons and Legends are edging it out even before the race starts.

Volvo Ocean Race assures that the Future is Coming not just for this edition on the edge of the gun start but for the next 10 decades of the Regatta. With the increasing global trend of multihulls appearing and taking dominant participation in most offshore racing events, Volvo Ocean Race has stuck to its mono-hull tradition for years. But lets face it, Ocean 65 the boats which Volvo Ocean Race Teams sail throughout the World's Oceans are not just any kind of monohulls. New foils, sails, daggers and other designs make these monohulls unique. But now Volvo Ocean Race is scheduled to announce which type of boat will compete in the next decade and they are keeping the news wrapped in a thick mystery. Will Volvo Ocean Race finally pull the multihull trigger? We will have our answer in just days, May 18 an official press event is expected to draw in a crowd.

Sailing World was among the only sailing press which could get some inside facts on the hidden secret of what kind of boat will prevail for the next 10 years in the Volvo Ocean Race. They interviewed none other than the designed Guillaume Verdier.

Verdier -known now as the Future of Volvo Ocean “has done it all, from the America's Cup to Super Maxis, and now he brings his talent to the toughest race in sailing”. With these type of experience most betting sailors would put their money on the table for multihulls but Verdier did not hint to one or the other direction.

Verdier explained that 16 experts are working together to bring the new boat to light and water. Sailors, specialists, designers, sail experts and innovators input has been set into the equation.

“You get a unique perspective from the sailors, as they explain to you all of their tricks, how they survive on board, and how they look to exploit the boat to the max. That’s important -after all, if you design a single-handed boat, for example, the way that it’s sailed is completely different to a fully-crewed boat. You have to make a judgement of the machine you design based on the capacity of the sailor to exploit it,” Verdier told Sailing World.

Verdier added that the width of the boat will be affected due to considerations of safety versus speed. Classic Volvo Ocean Race Water Splashing and Whitewater deck intrusion into the cockpit -which looks awesome in video broadcasting and photography may just be a thing of the past.

Verdier assured that the cockpit might be a little more protected than in previous generations.

This will give “little bit more shelter which will allow the sailors to maximise the potential of the boat”.

The reputation of the Southern Ocean and its extension in the race all added to the new design of the Boat.

When confronted with the question of Multihulls and Monohulls Verdier answered; “For sure, there are benefits to both designs. In Europe we have a lot of experience with offshore multihulls, and they’ve been proven to be durable. But there’s always a risk of capsizing, and the boats are always on the edge of safety, structure and performance, and that’s a big decision to make. But I must say, from a technical and design point of view, a multihull would be extremely interesting. We have the technology, but it’s never really been done yet in the way that we might do it”.

Some say that real hard core Volvo Ocean Race Fans would hate to see a change to monohulls but the new designers do not think that will be the case.

“One hull, two hulls or three hulls, it doesn’t change the identity of the race. The object of the race is that a group of people race around the planet, fighting hard all the way. Whether the boat is a monohull or multi...I think it’s all about the people that race it,” Verdier kicked it.

Even Foils are being questioned for the next boats. But for now the Future of Volvo Ocean Race is not in the next 10 years but rather more around the corner in over 100 days to come.

Technically issues like what you are going to wear become of paramount importance. Dongfeng Race Team partnered up with Sailing apparel Specialist Zhik to take care of that issue.

Dongfeng is not to be underestimated. They came in 3rd breaking ground and water in the 2014-15 edition and this year they will take it to the next level. Because there will be three times more hard nautical miles of Southern Ocean crossing clothing and gear can make the difference.

“Having the right technical clothing is as race-critical as having the right food,” Charles Caudrelier -back for his second campaign as skipper of Dongfeng Race Team assured.

“We share the same goal with Zhik to optimise everything we do. Detail is key in this race and if we succeed in being innovative together, it could make us even more competitive on the water.”

Sailing Giant and Legendary Brand North Sails is also very much focused on delivering new sails for the Volvo Ocean Race. Torn sails, complete sail destruction and emergency sails have been part of previous Volvo Ocean Race. North Sails this time takes its experience and assures that this type of Sailmaking is a form of art.

Eight of the nine teams which have won the Volvo Ocean Race since 1989 hoisted North Sails equipment.

North Sails has patents on a unique method or process of making sails. Using composite materials they obtain superior structures of amazing strength. Composite sails can not even be compared with panelled sails.

North Sails is also deeply involved in what happens below deck. Keeping in strict close contact with boat designers they strive for boat balance.

“It's not just about what kind of Sails you have but what you want to do with them,” North Sails mystically adds.

Velocity Prediction Programs, Speed, Wind Angle Mathematics, Sail limit performance, consequences on boat stability, the North Sails Puzzle is mind breaking.

“All sails are identical for all boats but the difference (again) is in how they are used, with light variations of angle, trimming and set to point each Team will configure their Boat, rigging and sails in different ways, attempting to reach max performance,” North Sails explained.

North Sails specifically designed a new set of adequate sails exclusively for the extended Southern Ocean crossing.

“Need not to worry...the FRO is designed specifically to maximize these conditions and allow sailors to surf in full conditions,” North Sails experts called for a heavy and serious Southern Ocean Surf Out!

“It will be much harder than previous editions because of the added Southern Ocean Miles. Besides it still carries the harshness of cutting through the Pacific Doldrums twice which are very complicated. In general it will be a very complex Round the World with all type of conditions and with the experience that we have with these boats we already know that the differences between one boat and other are minimal, for it will thrilling and hard!” MAPFRE Team is all in.