From the next edition after 2017-18, the Volvo Ocean Race will be raced aboard 60-foot hydrofoil monohulls for the offshore legs, and 32 to 50-foot "flying" catamarans for the regattas in -Port. This combination of the two disciplines will make the event an outstanding all-round event and reinforce its reputation as the premier event for a professional team.
As a reminder, the next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race will set off from Alicante on 22nd October 2017 and will stop over in 12 Host Cities on six continents. The teams will cover more than 46,000 nautical miles (83,000 km) before crossing the finish line in The Hague at the end of June 2018.
New boats, new formula
As announced yesterday, these changes include a new 60-foot (18.28 m) One-Design monohull with foils, designed by the architect Guillaume Verdier. Presented as fast and spectacular to look at, she will be able to accommodate between 5 and 7 crew on board, with the emphasis once again on the gender mix and young people.
Learn more about this new monohull .
In the same way, the In-Port events will also benefit from a new boat, through a One-Design hydrofoil catamaran from 32 to 50 feet (10 to 15 m) for which a call for tenders has been launched for the design and conception. It will incorporate some of the technologies of the America's Cup boats and other new multihulls.
Although the offshore events will remain essential, the In-Port events will take on a slightly greater importance than at present, where they are mainly used to separate teams in the event of a tie on points.
New initiatives
The race organisers also unveiled other measures to raise the profile of the race.
A sustainable future
The race has three pillars of action in terms of Sustainable Development: reducing its footprint, optimizing its influence through global communication platforms, and setting a positive example to follow wherever it goes. In partnership with the United Nations Clean Seas environmental campaign, the aim will be to call for a reversal of the trend with regard to plastic waste in the oceans "Turn the Tide on Plastic."
By partnering with 11 th Hour Racing, the event will have the resources to encourage the development of scientific and educational programs. AkzoNobel will continue to develop its education and awareness program. The long-term ambition of the Volvo Ocean Race is to reduce and then eliminate the use of fossil fuels on future boats, while maintaining safety and communication capabilities, and developing new construction methods and operational strategies for the race in general.
New formats for the route and stopovers
The event will see significant changes in the format of the route and stopovers over the next ten years. A development that enhances commercial appeal while preserving sporting integrity. Although the race has committed to organising two more departures from Alicante, which is an important partner, some future editions could depart and arrive outside Europe, potentially including a non-stop leg around Antarctica or even a non-stop circumnavigation of the planet.
But although the routes are likely to vary, the race will commit to travel to North America, South America, Australasia, China and at least 5 major European cities at least once every two editions, which will allow commercial visibility for programmes over two cycles, even without precise knowledge of the route.
In addition, Host Cities will be able to choose from several stopover formats: either a 24-48 hour pit stop, short five-day stopovers, or more traditional two-week stopovers with full activation. The bidding process for the next three editions begins today.
Events each year/Possibility of moving to a two-year cycle
The Volvo Ocean Race Committee has asked the organisers to consider the feasibility of a two-year cycle. This process is not yet complete, but it is already certain that race-related events will be organised every year. This is a clear change from the current situation where the intervals between editions are two years or more.
Paving the way to the Volvo Ocean Race
The Race and its two owners the Volvo Car Group and the Volvo Group will become official partners of World Sailing as part of a long-term strategic programme to develop the next generation of offshore racers and their sponsors by creating a gateway for the race. Volvo Ocean Race Academies will be established as part of the partnerships with the Host Cities and will provide a springboard for future ocean racers to the Olympic Games, if and when ocean racing becomes an Olympic discipline, which could happen as early as Tokyo 2020.
Leadership and Team Performance/Global Team Challenge Development Program
The organizers plan to create a new leadership development and team performance program for companies, which will draw on the race's experience in teamwork and coaching. This programme will include an alternative ocean race called the Global Team Challenge, which will allow sponsors to give their employees the unique opportunity to experience the ocean in conditions similar to those encountered by professional racers.
The Global Team Challenge will focus on safety and will be contested over part of the Volvo Ocean Race course aboard the Volvo Ocean 65 in a simplified version with 3 professional sailors on board for 8 amateurs.
This unique opportunity will be included in the commercial offer for team sponsors with possibilities to support HR programs, to work on the employer's brand image (in recruitment and talent acquisition) and to offer B2B and PR operations. This program will also be a new entry point for future sponsors in the race.
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary
The Volvo Ocean Race was founded in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race. It will celebrate its 50th anniversary in six years time, in 2023. The Race is planning a special 50th anniversary edition that will pay tribute to the sailing legends who have taken part.
