The finish of the regatta - the beginning of preparation for the next start

Why is this season interesting? First of all, of course, the intrigue, which lasted until the last ocean stage and the port race in Galway... Breakdowns that followed all participants in the regatta played a significant role in this. They played a decisive role for the Spanish  Telefonica, which was in the lead in the first half of the regatta and ended up only in the fourth.

All yachts faced difficulties: broken masts, hull delamination, loss of rudder feathers is not a complete list of technical problems that this regatta revealed. Designers and technicians have to do serious work in order to get rid of them in the future. Interesting, sometimes adventurous tactical decisions of the skippers, which sometimes baffled specialists, kept them in suspense until the very finish.

What is the fight worth Ken Reed on PUMA Ocean Racing by BERG in the second half of the regatta. The smallest number of participants in the race more than paid off in quality. Smooth, confident performance Groupama, which improved its results from stage to stage, allowed the owner Jules Verne Cup Frank Kamma inscribe his name in gold letters in the history of the race and add to his victories in Figaro, ORMA, Transat Jaques Vabre victory in VOR 2011-2012... For the first time in 25 years, this trophy was in the hands of the French.

But there were many other awards in the regatta. The fate of the first place in the classification of port races was also decided in the last start. Ken Reed left no chance Chris Nicholson, with whom he had an equality of points before the last start. Seizing the advantage from the start, he finished first. Groupama Sailing Team despite the fourth arrival, it remained in third place. IWC Schaffhausen Speed Record Challenge award for the highest daily rate of the season received CAMPER, which on June 14 traveled 565 miles at an average speed of 23.58 knots. Prizes were awarded to onshore teams, designers and many others.

Final protocol of the regatta:

1. Groupama Sailing Team 253

2. CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand 231

3. PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG 226

4. Team Telefоnica 213

5. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing 131

6. Team Sanya 51

The Volvo Ocean Race of the 2011-2012 season has died down and gone down in history. According to the organizers, it has become even more popular and more attractive to viewers and the media. What's next?

Then a new season, new boats, new teams. At a press conference on June 28 in Lorient CEO Volvo Ocean Race Nute Frostad makes a sensational class change announcement VO70 for 65-foot monotypes. What kind of boat will it be? To date, only the project has been publicly announced Farr 65OD for the next two seasons VOR.

Technically, it looks like this:

Overall length: 21.95 m, width 5.6 m, the swinging keel will go into the water by 4.7 meters, the mast height is about 30 meters. Maximum sail area on sharp courses: 451 sq. m, full courses: 550 sq. m. The water ballast system has been changed. The boat will be slightly easier to handle, although a little slower according to many. This, in turn, gives a chance for the appearance of female crews.

New Monotype Farr 65OD (Credit: Farr Yacht Design)

As announced at a press conference in Lorient, a contract has already been signed between the consortium of shipyards and Volvo for the construction of the first 8 boats of the new project for the next season. Construction begins in August 2012 and the first boat will be on view as early as June 2013.

Cost of participation can be found in September 2012, and the class rules will be announced on November 1 of the same year. The regulations on the regatta for the 2014-2015 season and the route will be released until December 21.

PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG & CAMPER - Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12. (Credit: IAN ROMAN / Volvo Ocean Race)

All innovations, according to the promises of the organizers, will lead to significant budget cuts for the teams. Which in turn will increase their number.

Well, we will see all this in the near future, but for now the first application has appeared. Swedish company SCA announced that she would be "fielding" the women's team next season. In the near future the selection conditions for the international crew will be announced!

No matter what happens, no matter how the participants and boats change, but the regatta Volvo Ocean Race is the greatest sailing event in the world alongside the Olympic Games and America's Cup.

Text: Sergey Shumilov

17.03.2012