The 40s: Going to Extremes

One of the hottest attractions of this year's race is a sort of parallel title contest, a series of high-speed inshore and short-range offshore races featuring revolutionary catamarans called Volvo Extreme 40s (or VX40s). These are not simply promotional races but the inaugural of a grand prix professional circuit that participants hope will involve 10 to 15 teams from around the world.

Inspired by two-time Olympic medalist Mitch Booth and designed by French gold medalist Yves Loday, these light carbon-fiber boats, 40 feet long with 62-foot-tall masts and maximum speeds of 35 to 40 knots, perform best in light to medium wind speeds and flat water; their close-in races are much easier for spectators to follow. (No modifications to the boat are permitted so that the emphasis is all on tactics and technique.) Like the Volvo 70s, the VX40s are being crewed by sailors at the top of their profession, veterans of America's Cup, Olympic and Grand Prix events.

The multihull 40s require a crew of four rather than the two assigned to Tornado (Olympic Class) or Formula 18 (gender equalized) catamarans, so coordination is somewhat trickier. Intriguingly, each Extreme 40 can also carry a guest -- a nod to the increasing importance of sponsor and media participation -- and many of the world's top sailors, including crew members from the Open 70s and Australian James Spithill, helmsman of the America's Cup team Luna Rossa, have taken turns on the speedsters. There are five Extreme 40 matches scheduled for Baltimore, with five teams participating: Basilica, which is in first after 16 races; Motorola-CHR; Tommy Hilfiger; Holmatro -- skippered by Booth -- and Volvo Ocean Race. Three more Extreme multihulls are in production and will probably join the tour in time for the final round of races in Rotterdam on June 15.

Races are in the Inner Harbor (April 28 and 30 and May 1-3 at 2).