It is a remarkable process. Normally, constructors hold back during a race when it comes to making statements about their boats. Not so Juan K, as the Argentinian working in Valencia is known in the scene. In a statement published yesterday, he pleads for a more differentiated criticism - and reveals his deep-seated disappointment with statements made by Volvo Ocean Race boss Knut Frostad.
In fact, according to Juan Kouyoumdjian, the perception that all the boats in the race had suffered serious structural damage was not true. This impression was created in particular on the fifth leg through the Southern Ocean, where only one of the six participating VO-70 racers, Puma, crossed the finish line unscathed. All the others either had to make repairs or give up altogether.
"To lump all constructions together when it comes to structural damage is a distortion of the truth," says the 41-year-old. "You have to make a fundamental distinction between mast breaks and the rest." For example, "Telefonica" was not forced to stop for repairs at Cape Horn, but because the opportunity arose to take advantage of a favourable weather window. "Groupama" had not suffered any structural damage; the French ship had reached the stage finish in Brazil in third place after breaking its mast under emergency rigging.
In principle, Volvo Ocean 70s or other boats for round-the-world regattas cannot be designed to be indestructible, emphasises Kouyoumdjian. "Breakage is in the hands of the crew."
His boats have already won the last two editions of the Volvo Ocean Race. And even now, Kouyoumdjian designs are dominating the current race, with "Telefonica" leading the way. This partly explains the disappointment that can be read between the lines of the statement. "Generalisations may serve a team as an explanation or to push through a certain agenda in the future," says the successful designer. But they would not do justice to the work of his office.
But there is another background. According to as yet unconfirmed information from YACHT, the organiser is planning a kind of standardised class for the upcoming race. The aim is to drastically reduce costs by reducing the scope for development. The move would be all the easier to sell if safety aspects were used as an argument - which would fit in well with the image of main sponsor Volvo.
According to reports, the plans for the next generation of Volvo racing yachts are to be developed by Farr Yacht Design. A painful decision for Juan Kouyoumdjian, who knows the class better than anyone else. All the more so if his undeniable successes were to be unjustifiably diminished in the course of the current discussion.
Jochen Rieker
Herausgeber YACHT
