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#VOR - The Volvo Ocean Race has launched its search for a team of onboard reporters for the 2014-2015 edition of the epic round-the-world challenge.

For the third consecutive edition, each team taking part in sailing's biggest offshore race will have on board an embedded multimedia reporter, formerly known as an MCM.

For the 2014-15 edition, each onboard reporter must be approved by the Volvo Ocean Race in a step introduced to make sure all teams make best use of the enhanced media capabilities of the new one-design Volvo Ocean 65.

"We're starting the hunt for proven media professionals to tell the real story of this extraordinary race," said director of communications Jon Bramley. "We need people who can be at the top of their game despite conditions that test even the world's best professional sailors to the core."

Selected candidates will be required to spend five weeks at the Volvo Ocean Race headquarters in Alicante, Spain for training. Those approved will then be matched up with one of the teams for the pre-race period plus the event itself.

Interested candidates should send a CV and covering letter to [email protected]. More details on the job can be found at www.volvooceanrace.com.

Published in Ocean Race

#VOLVO OCEAN RACE - Fans of the Volvo Ocean Race should expect a "very forward thinking" design for the new 65-foot one-design planned for the next two editions of the round-the-world challenge.

"The overwhelming impression will be of a top-level grand prix racing boat," says Patrick Shaughnessy, president of Farr Yacht Design - the company responsible for the new design.

"When you come down the dock you're gonna see a boat that's really cool," he adds. "The stem shape has been styled to be emotional, forward looking and be relevant for years to come so it's a boat that's exciting and modern and it's gonna be iconic."

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the new design will also be lighter and safer, putting less on an emphasis on physical strength, and paving the way for women's teams to be competitive in the race once again.

The €4.5-million VOR 65 is currently being designed at Farr's facility in Annapolis, Maryland in the USA. The company's progress has been recorded in a series of videos posted on YouTube.

Sail World has more on the story HERE.

Published in Ocean Race

The Half Ton Class was created by the Offshore Racing Council for boats within the racing band not exceeding 22'-0". The ORC decided that the rule should "....permit the development of seaworthy offshore racing yachts...The Council will endeavour to protect the majority of the existing IOR fleet from rapid obsolescence caused by ....developments which produce increased performance without corresponding changes in ratings..."

When first introduced the IOR rule was perfectly adequate for rating boats in existence at that time. However yacht designers naturally examined the rule to seize upon any advantage they could find, the most noticeable of which has been a reduction in displacement and a return to fractional rigs.

After 1993, when the IOR Mk.III rule reached it termination due to lack of people building new boats, the rule was replaced by the CHS (Channel) Handicap system which in turn developed into the IRC system now used.

The IRC handicap system operates by a secret formula which tries to develop boats which are 'Cruising type' of relatively heavy boats with good internal accommodation. It tends to penalise boats with excessive stability or excessive sail area.

Competitions

The most significant events for the Half Ton Class has been the annual Half Ton Cup which was sailed under the IOR rules until 1993. More recently this has been replaced with the Half Ton Classics Cup. The venue of the event moved from continent to continent with over-representation on French or British ports. In later years the event is held biennially. Initially, it was proposed to hold events in Ireland, Britain and France by rotation. However, it was the Belgians who took the ball and ran with it. The Class is now managed from Belgium. 

At A Glance – Half Ton Classics Cup Winners

  • 2017 – Kinsale – Swuzzlebubble – Phil Plumtree – Farr 1977
  • 2016 – Falmouth – Swuzzlebubble – Greg Peck – Farr 1977
  • 2015 – Nieuwport – Checkmate XV – David Cullen – Humphreys 1985
  • 2014 – St Quay Portrieux – Swuzzlebubble – Peter Morton – Farr 1977
  • 2013 – Boulogne – Checkmate XV – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1985
  • 2011 – Cowes – Chimp – Michael Kershaw – Berret 1978
  • 2009 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978
  • 2007 – Dun Laoghaire – Henri-Lloyd Harmony – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1980~
  • 2005 – Dinard – Gingko – Patrick Lobrichon – Mauric 1968
  • 2003 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978

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