Next ‘Volvo’ Race plan
A preliminary Notice of Race for what can best be described as The Race Formerly Known As the Volvo Ocean Race has been published, providing more opportunities for female and youth sailors.
Entries for the event, which is officially using the working title Fully Crewed Around the World Race 2021-22, open on 11 December this year. As yet without an official title or sponsor, the round the world race is scheduled to start in Alicante in autumn 2021 and finish in Europe in 2022. It will have nine legs.
There is no detailed information on stopovers as host port agreements are under negotiation, although the USA, South America, Australia/new Zealand, Asia, and Europe have been broadly confirmed.
There will be two classes: the IMOCA 60; and one-design VO65. The IMOCA 60s compete for the overall race trophy, while the VO65S race for the Youth Challenge Trophy. Teams can enter a boat in each class. The IMOCA 60 must have been built since 2010, and have foils and a standard IMOCA wing mast.
There are several crew permutations. The 60s will be sailed by a crew of five sailors with at least one female; or six, of which all at least four must be female.
On the VO65S, of the ten sailors on board, at least seven need to be under 30 with at least three under 26 and at least three women. At least three also need to have significant Volvo Ocean Race or equivalent Southern Ocean racing experience.
The on board reporter roles will stay, although they revert back to becoming a member of the sailing team rather than the organisation.