Volvo feedback

Your comments on the latest protests

From Richard Gillies builder Team SEB / EF Language + Education
Why do VO60 rudders keep breaking? This rudder did not break. The only way that the rudder has been able to come loose and shed its internal roller elements is because the clamping collar that holds the rudder vertically in the boat has worked loose allowing the rudder to drop down and allow the head to come clear of its upper bearing housing.

How this has come loose is a matter of internal reflection for Team SEB's skipper and maintenance crew to best consider however I can unequivocally state that the rudder cannot be unshipped at sea with the external bearing race remaining in the composite housing as seen in the Team SEB website videos without the prior loss of the roller elements.

The jp3 rudder was in perfect condition and re-usable as was the bearing housing which suffered only minor damage to the suppliers glass sleeve-work from the inner raceway due to the over-articulation of the stock once the upper bearing support was lost. Should you require more information as regards the bearing design I suggest that you consult the jp3-isotop web site and check out the type 4 bearing.

These bearings are used in the majority of the fleet with no problem. Incidentally they are one of the only available proven bearings given the disappearance from the market of Ian Terry Engineering who used to manufacture Titan bearings to Roger Scammel designs.

From Mikael Ahrenberg
What do we think of Volvo`s International Jury? After having red the protests and the rulings of the jury, I must say it is a very frustrating reading. I think the protests were quite simple and straightforward, the facts in accordance with the race rules.

The ruling of the jury reminds me of a toothless dog, much noise and no action. One must ask, are the jurors up to date with their task? Another thought that comes up is the image and the big money involved in this. It feels like the jurors do not - for some reason or another - want to comply with the rules. Maybe they might loose their jobs? Clearly there is something fishy about this. Can it really be so difficult to read a text? However, the fact of the matter is that races are won by sailing fair and fast and not by protesting.

From Gregory Scott, Canada.
What do we think of Volvo`s International Jury? Rules, once written are always precedent driven when metering out penalties. Safety rules are extremely important. Without them, how can we ask rescue teams to come to our aid if we are recklessly disrespectful. That said, I don't know how the jury could find a greater penalty for Tyco than for Ilbruck?.

That boat modified the underside in contravention of the rule and had a material advantage in boat speed for a complete leg. I'm sure Tyco, if guilty will gladly pay a similar fine. To disqualify Tyco is ridiculous in light of the previous penalty. I don't mean to suggest that one rule is more important than another, but they didn't miss a mark or shorten course. I don't see how Tyco was advantaged by the mistake whereas Ilbruck was. The jury, in my opinion erred in that decision and now has to treat Tyco similarly.

From Ben Nicholls, Suffolk
What do we think of Volvo`s International Jury? The International Jury are doing a good job, but I do not think I will be buying another product from News Corpif they continue down their current route of protest against Tyco - very poor sportsmanship against a team who have already had to retire from leg two. What a shame it would be if News Corp's rudder was to fall off on the next leg

From Gareth Hughes, USA
Why has there been so much tummy trouble in this race? This has nothing to do with the tummy trouble, I have yet to digest that issue. This is to do with the points system for retiring, with special reference to the Amer Sports Too team. It does not seem fair that Tyco was given one point for travelling from Cape town to Sydney by container ship. In this round the Amer Sports Too team are continuing to race despite a hopeless position and a broken rudder.

I think that SEB should be commended for sailing the leg also.I know that this is a different sport to the kinds of racing that the rest of us do, but it is a sad day when the sport does not reward those that make it around the course. This will lead to boats being optimised for certain legs and being transported on others, or being followed by a tender that can pick the boat out the water if anything breaks, it is against the original spirit of the race.

I think that what is transpiring from this race is that there should be a different points system: maybe four points for the last place in a normal leg (all boats finishing). Three points for not finishing, but sailing the leg (limited outside assistance, outside time limits etc.) and One point for the boat being transported to the next port (as Tyco was). I want to commend Amer Sports Too for finishing this leg.

From Brian Hatley delivery skipper world wide 25 years experience.
Why has there been so much tummy trouble in this race? On my many long distance voyages, I found that water produced through desalinaters and stored in the ship's tanks was so sterile that the water very quickly went sour and jelly like. Substances were observed in the water used. I resorted to purging the tanks with rain water and this solved my problems. I believe that this might be the problem along with the dried foods that require reconstituting. I used natural yeast to bake and put yoghurts in the crews' diets.

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