7dc66253-44ca-4a44-83a4-5621317fa371/news/article/2006/september/newrule/2006-09-20T13:38:24.82News | New Rule Addresses Weighty MattersNews | New Rule Addresses Weighty MattersVolvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 | News | New Rule Addresses Weighty Matterstruef49f95fe-af48-4e6f-92fe-3ebb0980822dNews Story Creative 01Defaultnews_story_creative_01.xslt66f166c2-4c71-4d5d-b9f3-6ea3ef36cce8Default2007-01-11T15:33:28.45322-08-08 1351 GMTNews | New Rule Addresses Weighty Matters6414f825-96bd-4427-80ce-6294a54835356335876e-9cea-4b8d-b999-e190c12fc7f8ImagePrimaryMov48b41e38-6c30-4d88-a35d-e39b6e74ad67images/assets/v070rule_605x57.pngtrueVO70 Rulev070rule_605x57.png.png57605Volvo Ocean Race9a232be1-7bfa-4763-8f38-2d2efcbbe41dimages/assets/v070rule_605x57_thumb.pngfalseVO70 Rulev070rule_605x57_thumb.png{Width=605, Height=5.png9100Volvo Ocean Race10ContentImageVO70 Rule hline 605x572006-09-20T13:33:06.287falsefalsefalsefalse05bd287e-b906-4200-b881-fac39abb0e49ImagePrimaryMove650905d-677a-421b-905f-fcb4f807b439images/assets/vo70rule_413x171.jpgtrueCutaway concept drawing of the Volvo Open 70vo70rule_413x171.jpg.jpg171413Volvo Ocean Racea14b52ea-17fd-4330-9fa4-eee42622410dimages/assets/vo70rule_413x171_thumb.jpgfalseCutaway concept drawing of the Volvo Open 70vo70rule_413x171_thumb.jpg{Width=413, Height=1.jpg41100Volvo Ocean Race10ContentImagevo70rule_413x171,VOR Rule 413x1712006-09-20T13:34:32.443falsefalsefalsefalse4aea3572-a5ed-4521-8a37-4d2db3eaa2f6ImagePrimaryMov152aafc7-e40f-4e59-b256-5e26a373d304images/assets/vo70rule_171x212ear.jpgtrueThe Keel of Ericsson Racing Team. David Branigan © 2006 Volvo Ocean Race (VOR5487)vo70rule_171x212ear.jpg.jpg212171David Branigan2eb647a6-1072-4c12-9536-869796b7f17bimages/assets/vo70rule_171x212ear_thumb.jpgfalseThe Keel of Ericsson Racing Team. David Branigan © 2006 Volvo Ocean Race (VOR5487)vo70rule_171x212ear_thumb.jpg{Width=171, Height=2.jpg10081David Branigan10ContentImagevo70rule_171x212ear,VOR Rule 171x212 ear2006-09-20T13:37:21.663falsefalsefalsefalsea4636603-69df-4ff0-96fa-4b3140b41d7aImagePrimaryMovb2ae7fba-d7ad-4c36-8d03-2803bc838961images/assets/v070rule_456x69.pngtrueVO70 Rulev070rule_456x69.png.png69456Volvo Ocean Raceb3f3c295-1d7c-4614-9180-f598ea9908a4images/assets/v070rule_456x69_thumb.pngfalseVO70 Rulev070rule_456x69_thumb.png{Width=456, Height=6.png15100Volvo Ocean Race10ContentImageVO70 Rule hline 456x692006-09-20T13:33:30.16falsefalsefalsefalse293e2ae3-cb43-40de-8c58-ba27fce94b79ImagePrimaryMove99b40e9-4366-4703-b812-d0f8a4902acbimages/assets/vo70rule_292x218.jpgtrueCutaway concept drawing of the Volvo Open 70vo70rule_292x218.jpg.jpg218292Volvo Ocean Race323b2d70-780b-427d-a82e-1707a53f02c8images/assets/vo70rule_292x218_thumb.jpgfalseCutaway concept drawing of the Volvo Open 70vo70rule_292x218_thumb.jpg{Width=292, Height=2.jpg75100Volvo Ocean Race10ContentImagevo70rule_292x218,VOR Rule 292x2182006-09-20T13:34:57.88falsefalsefalsefalsea09de0f5-8ac1-4991-bde1-bae6858666b2ImagePrimaryMova6b4f05e-3d20-42d9-9354-45e9154322b9images/assets/v070rule_456x74.pngtrueVOR Rulev070rule_456x74.png.png74456Volvo Ocean Race440bd832-a0cf-41fb-bd3c-6bdf08995504images/assets/v070rule_456x74_thumb.pngfalseVOR Rulev070rule_456x74_thumb.png{Width=456, Height=7.png16100Volvo Ocean Race10ContentImageVOR Rule hline 456x742006-09-20T13:33:54.753falsefalsefalsefalse8d8cc90e-b75c-4b8a-9700-2fea35e91d72ImagePrimaryMove4ba568e-7c5a-48a5-b02c-f1503031970aimages/assets/vo70rule_442x123.jpgtrueCutaway concept drawing of the Volvo Open 70vo70rule_442x123.jpg.jpg123442Volvo Ocean Racea65ef171-6acc-4a89-9f83-6a9f0f001441images/assets/vo70rule_442x123_thumb.jpgfalseCutaway concept drawing of the Volvo Open 70vo70rule_442x123_thumb.jpg{Width=442, Height=1.jpg28100Volvo Ocean Race10ContentImagevo70rule_442x123,VOR Rule 442x1232006-09-20T13:35:18.757falsefalsefalsefalsee867569d-e4d0-4fec-985a-ca414f1df4e7ImagePrimaryMov605b0c85-8609-4648-8d5f-a781f4c40528images/assets/vo70rule_183x137.jpgtrueCutaway concept drawing of the Volvo Open 70 (VOR1115)vo70rule_183x137.jpg.jpg137183Volvo Ocean Racebb9ff02d-b09b-41ce-864c-f998e4fe61c3images/assets/vo70rule_183x137_thumb.jpgfalseCutaway concept drawing of the Volvo Open 70 (VOR1115)vo70rule_183x137_thumb.jpg{Width=183, Height=1.jpg75100Volvo Ocean Race10ContentImagevo70rule_183x137,VOR Rule 183x1372006-09-20T13:35:53.1falsefalsefalsefalsec708ad88-b3d5-4de3-bbb9-5936ad055485NEW RULE ADDRESSES WEIGHTY MATTERSfalse91257a34-30e9-4e6f-9bda-cf6af7c0266b/abouttherace/vo70rule/rule/_selfThis will open a new page of the Volvo Ocean Race websiteDownload the VO70 Rule Version 2a83e3770-8bc9-4d04-a0e0-137005eb2076<i>Anyone who has experienced at first hand the sheer speed of the Volvo Open 70 will be delighted to learn that the    official Rule for <br> 2008-09 has been framed to safeguard the status of the world’s fastest ocean going monohull. </i>    <P>Rather than apply the ‘hand brake’ to the VO70’s stunning performance, the rule focuses on durability measures which    carry no speed penalty.  </P>    <p>Weight distribution, restrictions on appendages and the integrity of construction materials in keel mechanisms are    the main elements of version 2 of the Volvo Open 70 rule – upgraded from the 2005-06 race. </P>    <p>The race organisers and Rule Management Group (RMG), led by chief measurer James Dadd, have concentrated on the    issues which contributed to structural problems in the previous race – particularly in the area of canting keels. </p>    <p>The intention has been to stay true to the stated philosophy of producing ‘fast, single mast, monohull keelboats of    similar performance, suitable for long distance racing offshore at the highest level of the sport’.</p>    <p><b>A summary of the key changes are as follows: </b></p>    <p>- Maximum weight for keel, fin and bulb of 7.4 tonnes<BR>  <i>(To ensure weight saved in the structure could not be added to the keel to improve performance)</i></p>    <p>- A reduction in the overall weight range of the boat to 13.86-14.00 tonnes (previously 12.5-14 tonnes)<BR>  <i>(To ensure there is enough structure put into the boat to improve durability)</i></p>    <p>- A ban on bomb doors<BR>  <i>(To prevent water ingress)</i></p>    <p>- All spinnakers may be furled and one additional masthead spinnaker to be added to the inventory<BR>  <i>(To make handling easier and safer for the crews  and improve light air performance)</i></P>      <p>- Set appendage configuration – two dagger boards and one or two rudders<BR>  <i>(Reduce research and development costs and retain the characteristics of ocean racing boats)</i></p>    <p>- No spinnaker poles<BR>  <i>(To cut down on the research costs for different sail configurations)</i></p>    <p>- Ban on titanium in keel rams<BR>  <i>(To reduce cost and increase reliability)</i></P>    <p>Commenting on the Rule, Glenn Bourke, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, said: ‘Evolution rather than revolution was    uppermost in our thoughts when we considered changes to the Volvo Open 70 Rule. At every turn we have endeavoured to    provide encouragement for designers to distribute weight sensibly while limiting performance penalty. Introducing a    maximum keel, fin and bulb weight achieves that.</P>    <p>‘The other changes we have made, like outlawing the use of titanium in keel rams, puts the emphasis on improving the    reliability and durability of the boats. All the changes and refinements we have made are based on the feedback we have    had from the approval authorities, insurers and the designers and crew members from the 2005-06 race – the first time    that the Volvo Open 70 was campaigned.</P>    <p>‘We firmly believe that we have arrived at a sound formula without detracting from the exhilarating performance of    the boats. What we don’t want is a situation where, having created the world’s fastest monohull ocean racer, we are    asking the designers to apply the hand brake.’</P>    <P>Meanwhile, the new route continues to take shape with the Volvo Ocean Race commercial team travelling to have talks with    port representatives in Asia and the Middle East. </P>    <P>The next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race will start in the autumn of 2008 in Alicante, Spain. </p>  The official Rule for the world’s fastest ocean going monohull has been released for the 2008-09 race2006-09-20T12:00:00Wed, 20 Sep 2006 12:00:00 UTC