You will join a team of young and ambitious international professional sailors onboard the Austrian Ocean Racing yacht, led by accomplished offshore skipper Gerwin Jansen. Pumping trade winds make for challenging racing, but the VO65, which originally designed for the 2014/15 Volvo Ocean Race, is perfect for this adventure. Starting and finishing in Antigua, the event, which has been running since 2009, follows a route that includes St Martin, Barbuda, Nevis, St Kitts, Saba, St Barth’s and Guadeloupe and is one to tick off the bucket list, with stunning sailing across crystal blue waters and around idyllic palm-lined islands and beautiful sandy bays. It is the perfect combination between adventure travel and challenging competition. VO65 TECHNICAL INFORMATION Drawn at Farr Yacht Design in the USA especially for the Volvo Ocean Race 2014/15 (now the Ocean Race), the strict one-design Vo65 replaced its predecessor, the Vo70. Every Vo65 is structurally identical down to the smallest detail. Same hull, same rig, same sails, same opportunities. This produced some of the closest racing the Ocean Race has ever seen.
As with its predecessor, the basic concept is a planing hull with a wide stern, double rudders, sharp edges and a swivel keel. The reverse bow is new. It extends the waterline and reduces the pounding in short waves, but provides plenty of spray on deck. The lateral plan has also been revised. The Vo65 dispenses with an angle of attack of the swords and instead relies on a lift profile to counteract the drift.
The rig is made by the New Zealand manufacturer Southern Spars. Southern Spars has a closely related history with The Ocean Race. They have been equipping the most successful teams for 25 years and were pioneers with the carbon mast in the 90s.
The entire set of sails is produced by North Sails. The 3Di technology patented by North Sails is also used in the Vo65. The sails are made from RAW760 Ultra PE / Aramid.