The SolOceans Round the World Race
Equal Opportunity Single-Handed Racing of the Veolia Oceans Monohull
An equal opportunity, single-handed round the world yachting race using high technology one-design monohull craft.
Concept - SolOceans represents itself as the first equal opportunity, single-handed global yacht race. Participants will use a one-design monohull called Veolia Oceans®. The SolOceans race is being developed by a company named SailingOne of La Trinité-sur-Mer, France. Race sponsors guarantee skippers and sponsors will enjoy world racing on an equal footing using the 16 meter Veolia Oceans® yacht. Each race vessel is identical in terms of hull, sails and equipment. Controlled entry and operating costs ensure even smaller businesses can participate within a reasonable budget. Each team is assured the same minimum level of media coverage. The entire race will take two years to complete. The first leg from France to New Zealand takes place in late fall and the return leg is completed at the beginning of the following year. The first SolOceans race is scheduled to depart in October of 2009.
Philosophy – Sponsors are focusing on simplicity and efficiency. SolOceans is based on three guiding concepts, equality, emotion and guarantees. Equality starts with each competitor being on an equal footing. Each high performance Veolia Oceans® monohull racing yacht is identical weight and structural consistency. Emotion stems from placing exceptional sailors in a race that uses identical equipment and gear. Human ability will shine with the minimization of technical factors. Guarantees include promoting sportsmanship through the one-design yachts, affordable budgets for sponsors, and uniform contractual media coverage.
Course SolOceans represents an intermediary race in the world of single-handed global sailing. The race will run every two years, with one leg starting in the fall and the finishing leg being completed at the beginning of the next year. The course moving from west to east departs from France for the Cape of Good Hope of South Africa, proceeding around Cape Leeuwing of Australia and stopping in New Zealand. Returning to France entails a crossing to the southern tip of South America at Cape Horn. Sailors will travel some 26,000 nautical miles on the combined legs in about 106 days. Sailings will take place in some the most challenging waters of the world including the the roaring forties and furious fifties.
Veolia Oceans® - This single-design oceanic yacht was conceived by Yvan Griboval with further refinements being made by Michel Desjoyeaux. Design work has completed by Forgia/Stichelbaut-Finot-Conq and Christian Brit was placed in charge of construction during 2006. The basic specifications are as follows:
- Construction: Nomex Hexcel prepreg carbon baked at 90°C
- Length overall: 16.00 meters
- Length on waterline: 15.85 meters
- Beam: 5.22 meters
- Draft: 4.25 meters
- Total displacement: 6.5 tons
- Weight of bulb: 2.355 tons
- Water ballasts: Two to the rear angles (2 x 1,350L)
- Carbon fin keel: Canting to 40°
- Two rudders: Retractable
- Height of wing mast: 21.90 meters above the deck (23.88m above the waterline)
- Wing mast area: 9 square meters
- Mainsail area: 115 square meters
- Solent area: 74 square meters
- Max area upwind: 198 square meters
- Staysail area: 35 square meters
- Storm jib: 17 square meters
- Gennaker area: 145 square meters
- Spinnaker area: 252 square meters
- Main gear suppliers: Sails: North Sails France, Deck Gear: Harken, Electronics: NKE, Engine: Nanni Diesel and Furlers: Karver
Science - Each racing yacht will carry scientific measurement equipment that will record ocean conditions along the race route in real time. Wind direction and spedd, humidity, atmosheric pressure, air and water temperature, salinity, partial pressure of seawater carbon dioxide and seawater dissolved oxygen will transmitted via satellite. Veolia Oceans® craft will also launch scientific recording beacons at set points in the race that will sink to depths of 1,500 meters seeking water data.
Budget - The SolOceans race is focused on controlled costs for yacht sponsors. Costs for completing one two-year race cycle are estimated to be €1 million. Costs include hull rental, insurance maintenance, consumables, salaries, communications support, and media coverage. The structure of this race should generate corporate interest in sponsorships and some exciting races.
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