Edition 13th | Yachts Volvo Ocean 65 | |
Dates 14 Oct 2017 – 30 June 2018 | ||
The 2017–18 Volvo Ocean Race will be the 13th edition of the round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race. It will start in Alicante, Spain, and will conclude in The Hague, Netherlands. GAC Pindar provides logistic support for the race.
Contents
Volvo have made a number of changes to this edition. Sailors will be able to provide social media updates, new male/female ratios have been introduced, Onboard Reporters will rotate between teams, a new scoring system will be used, the yachts have been upgraded with Hydro generators for back-up power and all teams will sail the 2017 Fastnet Race.
Yachts
For the second edition running, the race will be one-design, racing the Volvo Ocean 65. The VO65 was designed by Farr Yacht Design to be a cheaper and safer alternative to the ageing and expensive Volvo Open 70.
All Volvo 65's will be undergoing repairs and refits by The Boatyard. This will ensure that all the yachts are the same. The estimated cost of the refit is 1 million euros.
Participants
Teams started to be announced from 5 July 2016. There are expected to be 8 boats in the race.
Route
The full route for this edition was announced in June 2016, with the announcement of the addition of Melbourne in January 2017.
Notes (134 sailing days for race winners and 10 In-port racing days):