#VOLVO OCEAN RACE - A shorter route with smaller boats and streamlined teams are among the big changes to the Volvo Ocean Race expected to be announced in the next few weeks, as the Daily Telegraph reports.
The changes come amid concerns over the high cost of competing in the round-the-world yacht race, which fielded a fleet of just six boats for the current campaign.
“The world is changing and we need to adapt to that so we have had a lot of discussions about the boat size, the route and logistics,” said race CEO Knut Frostad.
The race boats will see "significant changes", he added, with many expecting the current VOR 70 yacht to be replaced with a 62-foot boat that gives designers greater leeway.
Smaller boats will also mean smaller teams, while the number and duration of the race's stopovers is set to be reduced, making big savings in terms of accommodation and logistics.
Race organisers are expected to announce the new plans before the fleet departs Lorient for Galway on the final leg of the current race.
The Daily Telegraph has more on the story HERE.
