Monohulls and multihulls to feature in Volvo Ocean Race

22 May 2017

The race will introduce foil-assisted 60 foot monohulls and 32-50 foot flying catamarans. Image courtesy of Volvo Ocean Race – Facebook

Both monohull and multihull challenges are to be included in the Volvo Ocean Race, a move that could lead to the entire race being sailed on multihulls.

Officials have confirmed that the global race will introduce foil-assisted 60ft monohulls for the ocean legs and 32-50ft catamarans for multihull racing in the in-port series.

Volvo Ocean Race CEO, Mark Turner, revealed: “We had a lot of debate about multihull versus monohull – strong arguments in both directions. We decided on three hulls – a monohull plus catamaran.

“We’re using the best tool for each discipline. It’s going to push the sailors and sailing teams overall, to levels they have never previously had to perform at in order to win one of sailing’s ultimate prizes.”

French boat designer, Guillaume Verdier is developing the race’s new monohull, a ‘turbo charged’ IMOCA 60 that will use foiling technology. The boat will have an option built in to the design to be convertible to a short-handed rules-compliant IMOCA boat.

A tender process has opened for the design and build of catamarans to a strict one design rule, with the aim of permitting much of the very latest ‘flying’ technology to be built in, but at relatively low cost.

The next generation of one design boats will be introduced in 2019, designed for use over at least six years and to raise the race’s value in both sporting terms and commercial value. Initial builds will be eight of each monohull and multihull. Crew numbers will be between five and seven plus and onboard reporter and the boats will be offered on a lease basis.

via Boating Business | Monohulls and multihulls to feature in Volvo Ocean Race.