Innovation galore

The IMOCA 60 class growth over the past five years continues apace as the size and quality of the fleet rise to new levels, and all-round boat performances rapidly improve. The following discusses some of the innovations that are new or developing.

Long-distance shorthanded sailing requires competitors to battle physical and mental demands over long periods of time with limited rest. Each sailor (or each pair) will be unable to drive a boat to 100 per cent of its potential for any significant length of time. Any breakage, crew injury or illness can be devastating to a competitor's prospects. It is imperative that the designer recognises the capacity and vulnerability of shorthanded sailing crews and prepares designs that are not overly demanding of crew work, provide some level of creature comfort but at the same time return good speed in changing conditions with the minimum of sail trimming and sail handling demands...

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