Class 40s doublehanded round the world

More details of the Global Ocean Race are announced

As per a contract signed between the Class 40 Association and Global Ocean Sailing Ventures Ltd, organisers of the Global Ocean Race 2011-12, further details of the event have been announced.

The Global Ocean Race 2011-12 will be a double-handed only race. Team entries of up to a maximum of six people will be allowed, although only one crew change per leg will be permitted to ensure that there is continuity on board each Class 40 through the race.

For Race Director of the Global Ocean Race, Josh Hall, the double-handed decision is a perfect fit with the event. "We have been contacted by over 70 prospective entrants so far and they have, bar two enquiries, been from double-handed projects," he says. "In addition, Class 40 and ourselves have canvassed the Class 40 membership and the overwhelming desire is that the 2011-12 event has the clarity and focus of having one division only. Our Notice of Race has been amended accordingly."

At present nine entries have signed up for the Global Ocean Race. "Judging from the quality of enquiries we are receiving, we anticipate filling our entry list very quickly now,” continues Hall.

In line with Class40 Rules, weather routing will also be banned in the Global Ocean Race 2011-12.

For Jacques Fournier, President of the Class40 Association, the partnership and recent progress with the Global Ocean Race is very pleasing. "We are delighted to have a contract with Global Ocean Sailing Ventures Ltd and also with the strong advances that the event has been making in recent months," commented Fournier. "The Global Ocean Race 2011-12 is set to be an outstanding event for sailors, sponsors and the public."

The principle ingredients of the Global Ocean Race 2011-12 are:
1. Class 40s only
2. Double-handed entries only
3. A maximum of 20 boats plus five invited boats will allowed in the race
4. Team entries of up to six people permitted with one crew change allowed per leg of the Global Ocean Race
5. All entrants will be screened by the Organisers and Class40 Association for competence
6. All entrants will be required to complete a qualifying passage at the Organiser’s discretion
7. All boats are required to comply with Category 0, Class 40 Rules and the Notice of Race
8. All boats will be required to achieve a 180 degree self-righting test
9. The Global Ocean Race will start and finish in a European Port (negotiations with various Ports are in progress)
10. Stopovers are confirmed as Cape Town (RSA), Wellington (NZ), Ilhabela (BRA), Charleston (USA)