The rules of the Volvo Ocean Race cover almost every aspect of the competition – the general design of the boat, which materials can be used, the race course, size and composition of the crews, scoring, what equipment the boats have to carry and much more. There is great room for interpretation, however, and every team tries to be as creative as possible within the framework of the rules. Questions and theories can be put to a rules committee either publicly or in secret.

New rules

For the Volvo Ocean Race 2008–09, some rules have been amended. For example the mechanisms and systems the canting keel must be made from steel or steel alloys, not titanium. The maximum number of crew members for ocean legs is 11 (14 for an all-female boat), with at least two members below 30 years of age. A special Media crew member must be appointed. They cannot take part in the sailing, navigation or maintenance, only attend to media and environmental duties specified by the race organizer.

An eye for safety

The rules are there to ensure a fair race and provide the greatest measure of safety possible to the crews. It is not unusual, for example, to include way-lines and waypoints in the Southern Ocean to keep the boats away from areas of significant ice. For the Volvo Ocean Race 2008–09 safety concerns over piracy have resulted in the adding of a waypoint off the coast of Mauritius and a way-line approximately 250 miles off the coast of Somalia.

Read more at Volvooceanrace.org

Race Rules

The race uses a high score system where 12 points are awarded to the winner of the leg. The total winner being the team with the most points when the race comes to an end. Gates and in port races will offer half points.

Read more at Volvooceanrace.org