Team Russia’s yacht tipped as world’s fastest

The Volvo Ocean Race which begins this weekend will see the fastest yachts in the world compete against each other around the globe. And there’s every chance new speed records will be set, with Team Russia’s boat Kosatka tipped to be the fastest of them a

Its design is radical and has been created by Englishman Rob Humphreys. Right now he is doing some last minute adjustments in the Spanish port of Alicante, the starting point of the race.

All eight yachts participating in this year’s race have to adhere to certain rules. But there’s room for interpretation and Humphreys has been using his experience of designing powerboats to give Team Russia a cutting edge.

Team Russia’s Kosatka yacht has a turbo-charged bow and a vast underbody. It’s hoped it could break the existing record of traveling just over a thousand kilometers, or 560 nautical miles, in 24 hours.