New boat for the Volvo pt1

madforsailing gets the views of eminent yacht designer Bruce Farr on the options available to Volvo

As ever Farr feels Volvo need to take a careful look at where campaigns spend their money at present. There are obvious reductions to be made in terms of the duration of the race and the number of stopovers. "If one reflects on this last race, a big expense has been people and moving things around and setting up in different ports. That makes you think that less complete stopovers could have a significant effect on the cost of entry."

Herein lies a problem if Volvo decide to opt for a faster boat. For this last race it was necessary to have containers leapfrogging each other round the world. Some campaigns, such as djuice dragons had as many as five containers. "If you make the boats go faster they'll end up having to fly their stuff around. Formula 1 and Carts do that, but they have bigger budgets."

Other options available are limiting campaigns to a single boat or creating a rule whereby all new boats must be entered in the race. "You can also put a limit on the launch date, so it can't be launched prior to a certain date. All manner of things you could do to chip away at the cost. To even up the playing field, if that is what is required," says Farr. "A much simpler one is to work out how to get more return from the race. They have to get 15 million people and they need a big crash at the first corner!" he quips.

Returning to his original point, the cheapest option, although contrary to the bulk of opinion, is that Volvo stick with the existing boat. "I have mixed feelings about changing the boat. Part of equation is to increase the interest and give sponsors better return. The sailors would like to have bigger boats with more comfort, although would they like to be moving heavier sails around? Really it is a marketing issue - can you get the return, more sponsorship for bigger more exciting boats. I don't know the answer to that."

Part two of this article in which Bruce Farr gives his views on the prospect of using Open 60 or one designs in the Volvo Ocean Race will be published on madforsailing tomorrow.

Should Volvo stick with the present boat?