Ross Field on the Volvo

James Boyd spoke to the News Corp head about what should be done for the next Volvo Ocean Race

Ross is grilled by the world's top yachting media...

So why does Field think an Open 60 is where it's at? "I recommend 60s because they [Volvo] won't go with multihulls, although I will be pleasantly surprised if they do. We have a meeting on 1 June to discuss these matters. The syndicates' word won't prevail, but we will have an influence".

He says that his reasons for recommending Open 60s is because they are the state of the art monohulls, but are much cheaper than a giant multihull alternative. "They have canting keels, a lot of sail area and can be sailed by five crew". Reducing the crew from 12 to five would have a profound effect on overall budgets, but would make it essential to have increased use of labour-saving devices such as roller furling headsails.

Field believes that a move to Open 60s would also bulk up the fleet. "You could have 20 boats because the old boats can be used again. I think it would get you more column inches if you had 20 boats and more countries involved. You can have A, B and C divisions. So I could get $8 million and get a good quality campaign together and someone could get $3 million and still put together a quality campaign." There is much to be said for having a B division or some also-rans because it makes poor results by the slower new generation boats look less embarrassing.

He is genuinely worried about campaign costs for the next race. "If I look at the fleet now and the personnel involved - who is going to get $20 million? Who would? And that is the scarey part. In 1989 when you had different classes, Tracy made her name on that race. We need that same ability on this race, so we can cater for campaigns that work on a smaller budget - say $2 million - and get young up-and-coming skippers, someone like Craig Smith, a highly professional campaign and supply a sponsor with a fantastic return".

Although Field would like to par budgets right back again, he does place limitations on this. "It must be professional. We cannot have the situation you have campaigns having to beg pennies to buy food. There needs to be a declaration of sponsorship by the syndicate and the sponsor that they can get around he world in a satisfactory manner".

In terms of the number of stopovers, Field believes that there should five if the Open 60 is chosen or three if they go for the big multihull. He is not worried that initially the fleet might include boats of widely varying performances, as the stopovers would allow the boats to regroup and restart together.

As to the safety issue concerning multihulls, Field is non-plussed. "Is it more dangerous gybing in 35 knots with a masthead spinnaker in one of these [a Volvo Ocean 60] or gybing in a 120ft catamaran. I think I'd rather gybe in the cat."

Tomorrow the teams taking part in the Volvo Ocean Race are meeting with the Volvo to look at this race and make their recommendations for the next. Although Volvo will be making an announcement about the next race on Wednesday it is highly unlikely this will include any details of the route or the type of boat for the next race.

At present state of the art Open 60s, made from carbon fibre and with a swing keel cost roughly the same to build as a Volvo Ocean 60