Ericsson 4 - almost a VO70

More embarrassment as Volvo Ocean Race leader is found to be 2mm too long...

After all the furore in Alicante over Ericsson 3's keel, you might have thought that Ericsson Racing Team would make all possible effort to dot every 'i' and cross every 't' when it came to the measurement of their boats.

However another embarrassing debacle is evolving as the boats Christmas in Singapore, this time involving race leader Ericsson 4having been found to have had a new bow fitted after she was originally measured.

According to a Protest to the Jury (VOR01-RMG) from the Rule Management Group, dated 4 January, James Dadd, the Volvo Ocean Race's Chief Measurer "noted a section of the bow of a boat in Ericsson Racing Team colours behind the ERT containers. On enquiry, members of ERT informed the Chief Measurer that this section of hull was the bow section of Ericsson 4 which had been installed on the boat when it was presented for original hull measurement at the builders in Sweden on 11 June 2008. Following damage to this portion of the hull prior to the Assembly Period in Alicante, this entire section was removed and replaced with a new bow section".

By bow section we understand it refers to the section forward of the crash bulkhead.

According to Dadd, the Rule Management Group were not informed of this change which effectively invalidated a number of key measurements required under the VO70 rules. Dadd concludes: "As such Ericsson 4 has not to this date held any valid Volvo Open 70 certificate, as required in Notice of Race 5.1 (g)(i)."

Since then, on the night of 4 January, Ericsson 4 was set up for re-measurement and the Limit of Length Forward (LLF) and RPF (Reference Point Forward) were measured.
Dadd continues: "The screw which had been placed by ERT as a reference for RPF, after replacement of the bow was found to be 2mm lower on the hull than the RPF measurement screw which was inserted at the time of the original Measurement ashore of the boat with the original bow section. This alters values found on all previously issued certificates for Ericsson 4."

Dadd concludes with the new bow section the LOA of Ericsson 4 is 21.502m, 2mm longer than the original measurement taken. The maximum LOA allowed under the VO70 rules is 21.500m.

So while Ericsson 3 were nailed for lacking 625g in their bulb, this time the Volvo Ocean Race leader is set to be penalised for being 2mm too long. Are the measurers being too fastidious or Ericsson Racing Team too lax? Why was an old damaged bow section that was changed when the boat was still in Europe kicking around in Singapore? If Ericsson 4 is deemed not to have been a Volvo Open 70 for the last four legs of the Volvo Ocean Race will this mean she effectively has to restart the race in Singapore on zero points?

We don't envy Bryan Willis and his Jurors having to make the call on this one, when it is heard on Thursday.