Revealed: How Naval Architects Turn the Volvo 70 into an Unstoppable 'Ratings Bandit'

Since the earliest days of yacht racing, achieving a favourable rating for a race-boat has been a preoccupation, even an obsession, for owners, designers, and crew. The story of the Volvo Open 70 (VO 70) boat - a vessel that dominated three Volvo Round the World Races from 2005 to 2012 - provides a fascinating case study in this pursuit. This proud legacy was shaped by the Juan-K Design office, under the guidance of Philippe Oulhen.

Oulhen paints a vivid picture of relentless refinement and evolution. The first two races were won by boats designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian of the office, with his winning streak capped by a victory by Groupama IV in the 2011-2012 edition. These boats, rather than resting on their laurels, have since gone on to seize numerous ocean race victories and set race records. Indeed, five VO 70s still compete at the top of their class.

These boats have earned their position as benchmarks in offshore racing, their structures, deck layouts, rigs, sail plans, and systems finely honed into a stable, reliable package. This stability and reliability is an added bonus for potential buyers; they understand the IRC hull factor and rig, and are afforded a fair degree of flexibility in their sail selection to affect their rating, thanks in part to the dedication of the original sailors. These sailors, crucially, are drawn from a pool of sailors who participated in earlier Volvo campaigns and now affiliate with major sail lofts. In essence, the transformation of a Volvo 70 into a ‘Ratings Bandit’ is a story drenched in determination, collaboration, and an unwavering spirit of competitive maritime innovation.