Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 keeps Monohulls (foiling mode)

Waited a bit to comment on the Volvo going Multis last weeks.  After seeing their “3 Hulls” render left , many jumped into conclusion  and they went “VOR will be held in Trimarans”. The problem was that render/pic showing the 3 hulls. In fact that preview is a standard mono hull replicated to both sides (no amas shapes at all, neither the central one similar to a Trimaran main hull).
Yesterday talking with a pro designer I told him about that, and doubted on the Trimaran.

For me is a good decision they made to stay with updated Monohulls with side foils, which are well proven by now as seen in last Vendee Globe great racing by Le Cléac’h triumphs over Alex Thomson: catsailingnews.com/2016/1ch1/vendee-globe-2016-foilers-still-going.html.

Wise move by Volvo management to wait a few years   , but the prediction we made here with Loick Peyron for the Volvo will become true sooner or later.

Foiling trimarans are still to be reliable or to be sailed, like new Macif, new Sodebo and even Maserati , as they haven’t been able to foil the MOD70 at 100% of its possibilities on breakages or other reasons.

On inshores races they talk about a “32-50 foot Cat”, thus leacing the door open for GC32s to be used first, they talk on “A tender process opened today for the design and build of catamarans (32-50 foot; 10-15 metre) which will be built to a strict One Design rule like the monohulls, permitting much of the very latest ‘flying’ technology to be built in, but at relatively low cost.”

Official announcements & statements: #The Future & Design details.