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Volvo Ocean 65: The Sails

Sailing around the world requires a variety of different sails, see what's on board for the Volvo Ocean Race
The VO65’s combined upwind sail area is 5,037 sq.ft., with the 1,732-sq.ft. mainsail and the masthead Code 0. The maximum downwind sail area is 6,221 sq.ft., with mainsail and A3 gennaker. Yvan Zedda/Dongfeng Race Team

Only eight sails are allowed on board each leg. The sails (except the A3 and storm jib), are all North Sails 3Di with pre-impregnated tapes of black Twaron Aramid and clear Dyneema SK75 fibers. Downwind sails are Cuben Fiber.

J1 – (1,420 sq.ft.) This hanked jib is the light-air upwind workhorse in up to 15 knots.

J2 – (932 sq.ft.) This furled multipurpose jib will see use inshore and offshore. Its working range is 13 to 25 knots. Downwind, it can be used as a staysail, set inside the Masthead Code Zero or the A3.

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J3 – (468 sq.ft.) At 20 knots the J3 is key. It can be flown inside the A3 or Masthead Code Zero, or inside the J1 and Fractional Code Zero as a spinnaker staysail.

A3 – (4,520 sq.ft.) The Cuben-Fiber A3, a deep-downwind true-wind angle working sail, flies on a furler.

FR0 – (2,529 sq.ft.) The Fractional Zero goes to the hounds, and sheets to an outrigger that extends 16 feet from the deck. In strong winds it can fill in for the A3 or the Masthead Zero when reaching.

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MH0 – (3,282 sq.ft) The Masthead Zero gets called to duty in winds below 6 knots. It can also be used when reaching in moderate conditions and downwind in strong breeze.

J4 – (319 sq.ft.) The J4 is the storm jib. It can be used in emergencies, and its use must be documented.

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