In-Port Race in Lorient

Circuit for Bretagne In-Port Race 

The mentioned starting time is the Local starting time.  This related to 11:02 GMT!

VOR65 - One Design Monohull is the New Boat for coming VolvoOceanRaces

Volvo 65 ft One-Design

In a press conference today in Lorient Knut Frostad, presented the New Boat that  will be designed , build to be used in the next Volvo Ocean Race editions. 

Main points presented were:

- It was said that Volvo is fully committed to continue support for the  Volvo Ocean Race events.
-the plans developed now are for at least 2 editions of coming VOR.
-the new Boats will be a ONE-DESIGN MONOHULL of 65 ft; this will be the Volvo65 class boat and to be used in next 2 editions of VOR.
- the plan is and Volvo supports this, to have a minimum of 8 participating boats
- the design team Farr Yacht Design will give extra attention to a reliable design for the new boat, that should still be competitive and of high performance. 

- The boat will be build by a consortium of boat builders  to the strict measures of this one design.

- a larger hood over the cabin, to offer and area with protection to the water/wind for media activities

- the boat price will be in the order of 4.5 million $

- the anticipated cost incl. purchase of boat and one race cycle to be around 12-15 million $

- The Crew will be 8 persons plus a media crew member (MCM)

- a full ladies team will be allowed 2 extra ladies.

- some discussion on promotion of younger sailers and sailors from nations will less experience in the team is on-going

- the numbers of sail will be reduced to 7 (from 10 now) , maximum possible furling mechanisms will be included 

- the VOR sailing route to be finalised by 21 dec 2012.

- the first Volvo65 boats to become available mid 2013. 

well that is about it, some details are available on the Volvo Web site soon. 

Isn't it good that I in the mountains in interior Thailand can live follow this press conference in Lorient :?: The communication capabilities nowadays are fantastic.

Last days before START of Leg9 Volvo Ocean Race

It is a rather long resting time in Lorient before the In-Port race and the start of the last Leg 9 to GALWAY, Ireland. This is especially inviting to haul the boat out of the water for a last cleaning and repair operations. However, the rules does not allow this and any repairs have to be done with the boat floating. 


There were 4 boats that needed repair which would benefit from hauling, but their request was denied; or rather a penalty would be given of 2 points reduction in overall standing. Telefonica requested new replacement rudders, which again was denied, unless a one place set-back in each of the 3 following sailing events would be accepted. 


I know that all boats have chosen to make the repairs on their floating boast. I am still not sure the choice that Telefonica made , whether to repair their broken rudders or replace with new ones. Any repair should be made proper though, as it will bring the boat and  crew in danger if a repaired rudder will break again. 


Saturday 30 June at 11:00 gmt will  be the  Start of the In-Port race in Lorient and as normal can be followed live on the  VolvoOceanRace web site.