Verdier, who is currently finalising plans for the next generation boat alongside his team of designers, said: “I’m extremely excited to be trusted with the task of delivering the next generation of Volvo Ocean Race boat. Volvo Ocean Race sailors have a reputation as relentless athletes who push extremely hard and the future boat design reflects that.

“For that reason, it’s important to retain a certain level of safety in the design, which is especially key due to the places the fleet races through, such as the Southern Ocean.

“Given their reputation, we know that Volvo Ocean Race sailors are unlikely to retract the foils, and where many single-handed sailors might slow down, they won’t.

“With that in mind, it’s a huge challenge to design a machine that is both extraordinary to sail, but also safe at the same time.”

Crew numbers will be between 5 and 7, plus the OnBoard Reporter, and rules will continue to include incentives for mixed male-female crews and youth sailors.

Speaking about the key decision on boat design, Turner also said that in the longer term, the race could even go fully multihull.

“Following our detailed discussions this time around, there is no longer any kind of conceptual barrier to the Volvo Ocean Race going multihull offshore in six years’ time, a decision to make just 3 to 4 years from now. We came very close to going that route this time.

“In the next decade, it’s very possible that we’ll see multihulls from the new French Ultime class racing across the oceans, most of the time flying above the water, rather than on it – a significantly greater challenge than doing so inshore in flatter water.

“But ultimately, we felt that it was too early in the development curve, especially when building a large One Design fleet, to jump in to this now. Modifying an entire fleet with every technology step is not realistic.”

via Volvo Ocean Race unveils combined Monohull-Multihull future – the ultimate test of a professional sailing team| Volvo Ocean Race.

Fifth Volvo Ocean Race entry Team Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag to represent Hong Kong in 2017-18

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Andrea Francolini

The fifth entry to the 2017-18 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race will sail under the name Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag and will represent Hong Kong, it was announced today (full story below)

The fifth entry to the 2017-18 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race will sail under the name Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag and will represent Hong Kong, it was announced today.

The campaign will be backed by Seng Huang Lee and Sun Hung Kai & Co., the Hong Kong-based owner of supermaxi yacht Scallywag, and aims to promote competitive sailing in Asia and build a long-lasting youth sailing legacy in the region. Hong Kong will be a Host City in the Volvo Ocean Race for the first time in the 2017-18 edition, starting in October.

“This campaign will showcase world class competitive offshore sailing in Hong Kong and China with the first time stopovers for the Volvo Race in Hong Kong and Guangzhou. I have every confidence that Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag will make Hong Kong proud,” said Lee.

Mr Lee grew up in Sydney, Australia, a stone’s throw from the start line of the iconic Sydney to Hobart Race – and it was watching the fleet leave every year for the start of the race that first got him hooked on sailing.

He purchased the 100-foot yacht Scallywag, previously known as Ragamuffin, in 2016, and the team has already set numerous speed records. The entry into the next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race is the next step in Mr Lee’s long-term vision to build a strong sailing legacy in Asia, and see more Asian teams compete at international events.

The team, racing a Volvo Ocean 65, will be skippered by experienced Australian sailor David Witt, who returns to the Volvo Ocean Race following a 20-year absence, after competing in 1997-98 race onboard Innovation Kvaerner – the boat led by former Volvo Ocean Race CEO, Knut Frostad.

A veteran of the Sydney to Hobart Race, having competed the challenge over 20 times, Witt is regarded as one of the best heavy weather sailors in the sport, and is keen to retest his mettle in the Southern Ocean when the fleets heads south later this year.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the Scallywag team to represent Hong Kong on a truly global stage,” said Witt. “With the race returning to a more traditional route and competing in One Design yachts, we feel that we are capable of achieving something that has been a life long personal dream.”

With more than five months to go before the start of the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18, the starting grid is filling up.

The other confirmed entries so far are team AkzoNobel (skippered by Simeon Tienpont, Netherlands), Dongfeng Race Team (Charles Caudrelier, France), MAPFRE (Xabi Fernández, Spain) and Vestas 11th Hour Racing (Charlie Enright, USA).

The race will start from Alicante on 22 October, with the fleet capped at eight One Design Volvo Ocean 65 racing yachts. Seven of them have undergone an extensive refit process after being raced in the 2014-15 edition; the eighth is brand new, built for team AkzoNobel.

The 2017-18 edition will see the teams cover a total of 46,000 nautical miles in a race that features a total of 12 Host Cities – including Hong Kong – and finishes in The Hague at the end of June.

The first ever Hong Kong stopover in the Volvo Ocean Race will take place in early 2018 with the boats expected to arrive from Melbourne on 20 January.

A series of races will be held in and around Hong Kong during the stopover including the In-Port Race and an Around the Island race.

On 18 May, Volvo Ocean Race will announce a series of initiatives designed to position the race for the next decade and beyond.

The presentation takes place at 0800 UTC in the Volvo Museum in Gothenburg, home of the race’s co-owners Volvo Group and Volvo Car Group. Fans can follow the announcements on Facebook Live.

via Fifth Volvo Ocean Race entry Team Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag to represent Hong Kong in 2017-18| Volvo Ocean Race.

Spinlock extends the use of ceramic coated parts

Spinlock is using ceramic coated parts in more of its clutches

The movement to smaller diameters of rope on board, increased loads and more powerful sails continues, with increased demands on rope holding products.

As such, Spinlock has now extended the use of ceramic jaws and bases across its XX0812, XCS and XTS clutches.

“Confidence in the product is very high,” explained Doug Vincett, Spinlock technical sales and support. “Ceramic is being used in a lot more products, it gives a better grip when using modern lines.”

And he explained how the ceramic coatings allow the cam or jaws to engage quicker on a loaded line, taking up the load faster and with less creep.

On smaller dimeter lines this is more noticeable, however once engaged the ceramic coated cam or jaw offers improved, consistent holding.

The ceramic coated parts also offer increased resistance to abrasion and wear. They are available as upgrade kits for existing products as well as specified in new product.

Spinlock has also developed its TSR organisers for diverting lines from clutches and jammers and launched a larger version of its Rig Sense.

The organisers have a lower and shorter sheave however the holes can be matched to previous products.

The 0508 Rig Sense is for rigging of 5mm to 8mm in diameter and gets around the problem of accuracy explained Mr Vincett.

“It covers small keelboats,” he said. “It’s great for riggers and also the sailor. It comes with a free app, data can be recorded and sail settings, which rig tension to use in which wind speeds.”

via Boating Business | Spinlock extends the use of ceramic coated parts.

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New concept blocks from Barton

Companies spend many thousands if not millions of pounds over the years developing their products to make them more contemporary and appealing to today’s user.

For Barton Marine this has meant redesigning its blocks so they have a more ‘sophisticated’ look.

The concept blocks are available in four sizes and have been developed to be a darker colour – dark slate – with the same ‘design endurance and the same bullet-proof reliability that Barton has built its reputation on over the last 70 years,’ explained Suzanne Blaustone, Barton Marine CEO.

The new blocks feature a continuous internal stainless strip for extra durability, with glass load nylon side checks riveted together for overall reliability.

They are available in plain bearing and ball bearing sheaves.

“We have developed a more sophisticated, contemporary look,” explained Ms Blaustone. “We’ve been very customer led, they wanted continuity and a sexy design that will put us back in the market for some of the racers.”

The redesign follows on from Barton’s recent introduction of wooden blocks. This range has proved so popular, particularly with classic boat sailors, that a new size has been added to the range, an 80mm block that will take a 14mm rope.

The product has been designed to provide low friction and high performance. In addition, they can be easily taken apart using Barton’s fastener tool for refurbishment.

The reason we made them the way we did is that with wooden blocks, people need to take them apart and refurbish them,” explained Ms Blaustone.

“Once a season people will revarnish them. I think we’re probably the only block manufacturer enabling people to do this.”

Barton is also working on other developments – its boomstrut has been tested by around 50 Folk Boats on the Solent and has just been made race legal by the association.

The boomstrut can be fitted in conjunction with existing boat hardware, and is designed to help with boom control.

via Boating Business | New concept blocks from Barton.

Most radical shake-up of the world’s leading round the world race since 1973 DownloadOn May 18 2017 the Volvo Ocean Race will make a series of announcements that will outline the future vision of the race for the next decadeWhat’s going on?On 18 May 2017 the Volvo Ocean Race will reveal a series of exciting announcements that will outline the future vision of the race for the next decade and beyond. Prepare for the most radical shake-up since the race began in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race.This is about sportThis is about innovationThis is #TheFutureHow to followWe will be broadcasting the announcement on Facebook LIVE and Periscope from 10:00 CEST as well as live tweeting from the event itself in Gothenburg, Sweden.Once the announcements have been made, you will find all the information on our website www.volvooceanrace.com

via Most radical shake-up of the world’s leading round the world race since 1973| Volvo Ocean Race.

Team AkzoNobel name winning quartet as part of strong multinational squad for Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18

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Thierry Martinez / Team AkzoNobel

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Thierry Martinez / Team AkzoNobel

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Thierry Martinez / Team AkzoNobel

Team AkzoNobel skipper Simeon Tienpont has selected four former Volvo Ocean Race winners as part of a strong, multinational crew for the 2017-18 campaign.

Tienpont named a total of eight sailors from seven nations to the team on Monday – just under five months before the race starts from Alicante on 22 October.

New Zealand’s Brad Jackson, Roberto ‘Chuny’ Bermúdez de Castro from Spain, the Brazilian Joca Signorini and Britain’s Jules Salter are the past winners.

They are joined by Dutch Olympic silver medallist Annemieke Bes, Australia’s Luke Molloy, Danish match racing skipper Nicolai Sehested and New Zealander Brad Farrand.

“The crew I have chosen blends maturity and experience with youth and vigour,” said Tienpont, a two-time America’s Cup winner who competed in the Volvo Ocean Race in 2005-06 with ABN AMRO TWO and 2014-15 on Team Vestas Wind.

“We have an incredible depth of experience in this team, with 24 Volvo Ocean Races and five Olympic campaigns between us. In addition, we have the instinctive high performance skills of our two under-30 sailors, Brad Farrand and Nicolai Sehested, to call on.”

Annemieke Bes is the latest female sailor to be named to a Volvo Ocean Race team following a rule change last year that incentivises mixed crews.

Helmsman/Trimmer Bes has represented the Netherlands at three Olympics and won silver in the Yngling at the 2008 Beijing Games.

While Bes is one of two debutants – the other being Bowman Brad Farrand – Brad Jackson will be taking on his seventh campaign in the latest chapter of a glittering Volvo Ocean Race career.

The 49-year-old Watch Leader has three victories under his belt already – with New Zealand Endeavour back in 1993-94, ABN AMRO ONE in 2005-06 and Ericsson 4 in 2008-09 – and he has never finished lower than fourth.

Watch Leader Joca Signorini and Navigator Jules Salter are also veterans of that winning Ericsson campaign in 2008-09, while Helmsman/Trimmer Chuny Bermúdez comes direct from his success on Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing in the last edition.

Signorini also sailed with Brasil 1 in 2005-06 and Telefónica in 2011-12, while Salter made his debut with Pirates of the Caribbean in 2005-06. Chuny has competed in six previous editions of the Volvo Ocean Race, dating back to Galicia ’93 Pescanova in 1993-94.

Luke Molloy and Nicolai Sehested have taken part in one Volvo Ocean Race apiece and both have experience with skipper Simeon Tienpont. Molloy sailed on the ABN AMRO TWO campaign in 2005-06 while Sehested was on Team Vestas Wind. Both will have the role of Helmsman/Trimmer in 2017-18, with Sehested also named as Boat Captain.

While the team has an international flavour, Tienpont spoke of his huge pride at leading a campaign carrying the Dutch flag of his homeland.

“To lead a Dutch team in the Volvo Ocean Race is a real privilege because this race has such a huge legacy in the Netherlands,” said Tienpont. “The Volvo Ocean Race is incomparable with any other sporting event and we are all proud to be flying the flag for the Netherlands.”

Shore team members Bryce Ruthenberg from Australia and Dutchman Eduard van Lierde have been nominated as reserve sailors. Ruthenberg has been part of two America’s Cup victories with Oracle Team USA, while Van Lierde has represented the Netherlands twice in the Volvo Ocean Race – in 2005-06 with Brunel and in 2008-09 with Delta Lloyd.

Team AkzoNobel’s entry in the Volvo Ocean Race is backed by leading global paint and coatings company AkzoNobel.

“The Volvo Ocean Race is a wonderful showcase for the unrivalled quality and high performance of our products, so it’s important this is reflected in the team itself,” said AkzoNobel CEO Ton Büchner. “Simeon has assembled an outstanding crew of real pedigree which is fully committed to winning together and we are proud to have them on board.”

AkzoNobel’s brand new Volvo Ocean 65 is scheduled to sail for the first time in early June, with an official christening ceremony planned to take place soon after at the team’s base in The Hague, the Netherlands. The team AkzoNobel crew will then begin four months of intense on-the-water training, including a number of transatlantic crossings.

A total of four teams have so far been confirmed for the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18, with more to come in the next few weeks.

Among AkzoNobel’s rivals will be Dongfeng Race Team (skippered by Charles Caudrelier, France), MAPFRE (Xabi Fernández, Spain) and Vestas 11th Hour Racing (Charlie Enright, USA).

The race starts from Alicante on 22 October and will cover 46,000 nautical miles, taking in a total of 12 Host Cities around the world. The finish is in The Hague at the end of June.

via Team AkzoNobel name winning quartet as part of strong multinational squad for Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18| Volvo Ocean Race.

Record year for Allen

Allen Brothers dog bone is available in a range of colours

Allen Brothers is enjoying a record year, with many product launches at the RYA Dinghy Show and more due at METSTRADE.

As with many companies, Allen Bros uses feedback from sailors to produce new products and innovations.

“We have introduced a lot more colour to our product lines for a start,” explained MD Liz Adams. “The freshly launched range of deck bushes, thimbles and dog bones match the colours you can find on our A4298, A4698, A4798 and A4898 tiller extensions and our market leading A2030XHL block.”

The through deck bushes are also now available in the same colours as the company’s XHL blocks, thimbles and other bushes.

Dimensions and sizes of standard bushes have been maintained with the addition of a threaded design for ease of fitting in double sided applications.

“This gives you the very real benefit of being able to identify multiple rope systems by colour coding,” added Mrs Adams. “Ovington 29er and 49ers use this system, with colour coding for the sails replicated in the control lines and anodised through deck bushes.

“These are combined with coloured leach panels on the sail to help identify the rope system.”

The system is used on the Team Allen 49er and 49er FX of Dylan Fletcher / Stuart Bithell and Charlotte Dobson / Saskia Tidey.

When it comes to hatches and hatch covers, Allen Bros has taken feedback onboard and redesigned its product along the lines of the classic look and usability of the company’s older hatches but with the benefit of a modern internal seal.

In other developments, Allen has custom developed a traveller track for the International 14 together with a tie on traveller car with Torlon balls for smoother travel and increased strength.

The Allen A2069 and 2169 Quint mainsheet system was developed for the Olympic foiling Nacra 17 with the help of Chris Rashley, but is also suitable for fast cats such as the F18 class.

“A 10:1 purchase arranged to prevent ‘capisizing’ the block means a combination of power, feel and robustness which is necessary at the very top level of elite sailing, but is also priced for the club sailor,” explained Mrs Adams.

And the company is also working with rope manufacturers to develop products to work with low stretch Dyneema.

“The demands upon the hardware have increased exponentially and blocks designed purely for light weight are no longer suitable,” said Mrs Adams. “We are currently experimenting with the effect of different sheave scores upon Dyneema, as the traditional v’d or radiused scores do not always promote the best performance.”

She added: “This has led us to some very interesting designs with which we hope to challenge the norm.”

via Boating Business | Record year for Allen.

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Plans for a rigging training course

There are currently no recognised training courses for riggers in the UK and anyone can set themselves up with a man and a van. That’s the finding from AllSpars that is now sitting down with British Marine to develop a course that could start as early as September.

“Whenever we take on a new member of staff, they don’t know what it entails,” said AllSpars MD Andy Postle. “We’re trying to start a movement that will benefit everyone.

“A lot of people don’t use trained banksmen and as a result, riggers struggle to charge the same amount of money as a marine electrician for example.”

He added: “Stepping on a boat and knowing how to repair people’s furling gear for example, tuning a mast. It all comes from training and experience.

“We’re keen to establish the difference between us and a man and van.”

And Mr Postle pointed out that some riggers will make up a set of rigging to the lowest price possible with customers of smaller boats in particular very price driven.

And this is the same for sections of the OEM market.

“Products are designed to a price some OEMs want to pay,” said so-director Dave Barden. “They end up smaller, lighter and minimalistic.

“Some of the boatbuilders pit manufacturers off against each other who then have to minimalise the material and the price.

“In the refit market, customers are usually amenable to a difference in cost in order to get a quality product, especially on yachts 35ft and upwards.

“There are some manufacturers that have their own rigging screws for example that need to be replaced at the year eight or nine inspection because they’ve seized. It’s indicative of the price.”

via Boating Business | Plans for a rigging training course.

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Development in rope coatings sets companies apart

Rope technology has seen significant developments over the past three decades. From revolutionary new fibres of cores and covers that impact on strength to dramatic advances in the levels of rope durability, diameter, stretch and creep.

For Marlow Ropes, much of the current development is on the coatings and techniques after production of the rope to improve its performance, longevity and resistance to fatigue.

“Everyone is using the same materials,” explained Paul Dyer, Marlow’s’ technical manager. “The ability to do something with it, something that stands out, is important. The product hinges on the coatings and what we can add to the cover afterwards.

“Much of our development has gone into coatings, to improve fatigue life, abrasion resistance and coefficient of friction.”

And he explained how some are offered as standard, such as its Armourcoat, that will protect single and double braided fibre ropes, while other are offered as optional extras to gain additional benefits such as reducing the fatigue and extending life.

“It’s a continual balance between costs, performance and ease of use,” he said. “Race boats such as America’s Cup teams will specify almost anything they like.

“What we learn from these users at the cutting edge of the sport often ends up in chandleries as later product developments.

“There is much more development to be done with coatings to get further performance benefits and enhance the material’s properties and so improve the final product.”

via Boating Business | Development in rope coatings sets companies apart.

Constrictor system does not crush rope

The Constrictor system does not crush rope between two metal surfaces

Unlike conventional clutches the Constrictor system available from SailTek does not crush rope between two metal surfaces.

Instead, points out Jason Belben who heads SailTek, the loaded rope is held securely in a textile sock that is itself attached to an anchor base.

The rope runs freely through the sock in one direction, but is gripped within the sock when running out in the opposite direction with holding power increased as the load increases.

“We’ve been supplying a lot of these including to the Open 60 Hugo Boss,” said Mr Belben. “They are filtering down to mainstream boats. A lanyard attached to the end of the sock is pulled to easily and safely release the line when it’s under load.

“The Constrictor is also weight saving – it’s around a third of the weight of conventional rope clutches – and is not so aggressive with the rope.”

The constrictor effect has been patented by COUSIN Trestec and is designed to provide increasing holding power as the load increases.

A laminating solution has also been developed to install the Constrictor without any bolts, for seamless transfer of rigging loads to the boat structure.

Also available from SailTek is a range of continuous line furlers from Ronstan.

The top- down furler is designed for the tack of the sail to be attached to the ‘floating’ swivel collar on the top down adapter unit with the head of the sail attached to the top swivel. Furling begins at the top of the sail and continues progressively from the head down to the tack.

The system allows soft luff and full mid-section sails such as reachers and gennakers to be furled.

via Boating Business | Constrictor system does not crush rope.