The Movi 2

There’s a Volvo Open 70, called movistar, at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, but that has not stopped movistar Sailing Team boss, Pedro Campos, wanting to do another Volvo Ocean Race in another Volvo Open 70.

He does, however, think some changes will be needed if the next generation of boats are going to have the sort of reliability and safety that he would like to see.

Campos talked to BYM News’ Aldous Grenville-Crowther about the proposed new course, the crews, the boats and his hopes for the next running of the Volvo Ocean Race.


	I first asked Pedro Campos about rumours that have been circulating, about movistar having bought Brasil 1


	That is not true. Firstly, you have to understand that the company movistar does not own movistar Sailing Team; the company is a sponsor. I have a strong feeling that we should buy one of the existing Volvo Open 70s and have talked with both Pirates and Ericsson, but nothing can be decided until the sponsors agree. We are, presently, preparing a project proposal to present to them.


	Given the first movistar’s keel problems and internal structural failures, which ultimately led to its loss, would you want to change the Volvo Open 70 design, or the designer of a new movistar?

	I believe that the basic Volvo Open 70 design has excellent potential, so I would not want to have a completely new design. I also believe that a one-design for the Volvo Ocean Race is right, but providing certain structural minimums are imposed. There should, for example, be a minimum weight for keel rams, so that designers and manufacturers are relieved of the responsibility of designing something as light as possible. I would also like to see some laid down specifications for the strength of internal structures and a maximum bulb weight. Stipulating a maximum bulb weight would mean that the weight saved in the bulb could be put into the hull and, in my opinion, that would mean stronger, safer boats. The Volvo Open 70 concept is good, but it needs the sort of changes to the design principles that I have outlined. As things are, there is too much pressure on designers to tempt them into taking an extreme road.


	How do you feel about the proposed new course, with an Asian circuit?

I like it and I believe the sponsors will like it, because it will take the race to potential new markets.

It does, of course, mean that we will have to look to other design changes, to suit some very different wind conditions.


	It has been suggested that crew numbers should be reduced. Do you agree with this?

	No, I do not think that is a good idea, I would like to see more crew, not less! I am not an ocean racer, so I have to rely on crew feed back, for that aspect of the event, and they say that to do the next Volvo Ocean Race, with a crew of only 10, would be very hard on people; a very high fatigue level. For myself, I know that the crew level is already much too small for the in-port races. I would like a minimum crew of 13, for those events, and 16 would be much better. That is what is needed for safe and quick manoeuvring in confined spaces. I can speak about this, personally, because I have experience in such racing.


	If you do enter the next Volvo Ocean Race, will you have the same crew?

The crew that took part in the last race will mainly stay together; they are well knitted together and we would want to do the next event with them.

Photos 1 & 2 movistar sailing, 3 medcup.org