The Volvo Open 70 (sometimes referred to as a Volvo Ocean 70) is the current class of racing yachts designed for the Volvo Ocean Race. It was first used in the 2005-2006 race (replacing the Volvo Ocean 60 yachts which were first used in 1993) and use a Canting keel which is capable of canting transversely up to an angle of 40 degrees. According to the VO70 rule, the yachts can be made from glass fibres, aramid fibres, or carbon fibres (which were not allowed for the VO60’s).
Version 2 of the VO70 rule which “has been further developed to apply the lessons learned on the last event and ensure the continuing evolution of this outstanding class” was released in September 2006.[1] [2] A revised VO70 rule, version 3, has been released in 2011.
Contents |
| Attribute | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Length Overall | 21.5 m | 70.5 ft |
| Beam | 5.7 m | 18.7 ft |
| Draft | 4.5 m | 14.8 ft |
| Mast | 31.5 m | 103.3 ft |
| Displacement | 14,000 kg | 30,870 lb |
| Depth (canting keel) | 4.5 m | 14.8 ft |
| Ballast | 7,400 kg | 16,320 lb |
| Mainsail | 175 m² | 1,883 sq' |
| Storm Jib | 35 m² | 376 sq' |
| Jib | 94 m² | 1,011 sq' |
| Spinnaker (Masthead) | 500 m² | 5,381 sq' |
| Spinnaker (Fractional Rig) | 350 m² | 3,767 sq' |
| Storm Trysail | 41 m² | 441 sq' |
Since the launch of the class it has proven itself to be the fastest monohull sailboat class ever built. Today all major monohull records are established by VO70's. For example: In October 2008 the yacht Ericsson 4 officially travelled 596.6 nautical miles in 24 hours, establishing a 24 hour monohull record.
Skipper Torben Grael and his crew made the record on the first leg of the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race. They sailed Ericsson 4 hard as a strong cold front hit the fleet, bringing winds approaching 40 knots, and propelling the yacht at an average speed of 24.8 knots.
In 2010 the VO70 Delta Lloyd (former ABN AMRO 1) established a new english channel record with skipper Bouwe Bekking. In 2010 the VO70 groupama 70 (former Ericsson 4) broke the record for the round Britain and Ireland Race.. In July 2011 the VO70 Puma Mar Mostro won the TR 2011 on handicap, finishing second only to Rambler 100. At the Fastnet 2011 the three first monohulls were all VO70's and they all broke the existing monohull record. The record now stands at 1d 18hrs and 39 min. [3]
In April 2005, the VO70 ‘movistar’ broke the 24 hour world monohull speed record when she sailed 530 nautical miles.[4]. In 2006 "ABN AMRO TWO" broke that record when she sailed 562.96 nautical miles.[5]