Volvo Ocean Race - ASSA ABLOY will be built by Green Marine

by Josefine Lemmel on 9 Oct 2000 ASSA ABLOY's Volvo Ocean Race yacht will be built by the world renowned British shipwrights Green Marine. Top British sailor Jason Carrington will be construction manager and go on to be part of ASSSA ABLOY's crew.

Green Marine built the Prada boat for the America's Cup 2000 as well as Intrum Justitia's second placed entry to the 1993/1994 Whitbread.
"A first-class boat builder is very important for a successful project. That 's why we have chosen the world's best," said Magnus Olsson, technical director. Swedish born Olsson has raced in four Whitbread races, most recently aboard the winning EF Language in 1997/1998. To the Volvo Ocean Race 2001/2002 Olsson will bring to ASSA ABLOY's crew his long experience and previous success in order to build the best possible boat.

Construction will begin in early October. Building expertise will consist mainly of Green Marine's craftsmen, but will also include other hand-picked individuals. Top British sailor Jason Carrington is construction manager.

Construction in the UK will also involve personnel from Swedish technical Semcon, who ASSA ABLOY's official technical partner in their bid to win the Volvo Ocean Race. Semcon bring technological expertise to the project and will work with analytical, calculative and logistic issues during construction. Semcon will also be responsible for IT-support and assist in the development of the boats' IT systems and various tests.

ASSA ABLOY will build two boats in order to test for the fastest possible start in Southampton on September 23rd 2001. "It's not yet decided whether the boats will be identical. Further studies in the autumn will establish this," explained Richard Brisius, project leader for ASSA ABLOY's entry in the Volvo Ocean Race.

World-famous boat designer Bruce Farr, known for designing all the winning Whitbread entries since 1986 designs the two boats.

"Farr Yacht Design started an extensive research program over a year ago to enhance the next generation of VO60 yacht forms," said Farr, who is designing a number of entries for the Volvo Ocean Race 2001/2002.