SAILING: Prospects of an Irish return to the world of ocean racing will be reignited soon following the long-anticipated announcement of the revised format for the Volvo Ocean Race, formerly known as the Whitbread.

Damian Foxall, arguably Ireland's leading offshore sailor, is currently battling tough southern ocean conditions on board Ellen McArthur's Kingfisher2 as the giant maxi catamaran dives south in search of wind.

Damage sustained to one rudder and a dagger-board in separate incidents this week is not expected to hamper progress.

Despite achieving more than 500 miles in a single day earlier in the week, the 120-footer has slowed to 300-mile days, choosing to venture deeper into iceberg territory to try to close the gap on rival Jules Verne Trophy contender Geronimo which is expected to reach Cape Horn today.

The Kerryman recently hinted at his plans and complete details are carried in the latest issue of Afloat magazine launched on Wednesday ahead of next week's IMF Boat Show at the RDS.

Despite criticism for rejecting approaches to transform their event into a multi-hull spectacular, the Volvo event management team announced the revised round the world race format in Auckland just before the America's Cup series last week. Multi-hulls are out - mono-hulls continue to form the basis for the multi-stage, fully-crewed event.

But despite expectations that a reputedly dull and conservative management team would end interest in what is considered one of sailing's showcase events, the new-look event has undergone sweeping changes under the guidance of CEO Glen Bourke.

Gone is the 60-foot class that has served the race since 1993. In its place, a radical 70-footer offers a compromise between the sportier small boats and those arguing for a return to the days of maxi 80-footers.

This open design will have a canting keel, a choice of one or two centreboards, and a choice of one or two rudders. Above all, it is intended be very fast and exciting to sail. The prescribed rule will remain relatively open, presenting a challenge and test for designers.

The new Volvo Ocean 70 will be an easier boat to sail, with fewer sails to handle and better living conditions for the crew. The race rules will favour imagination, creativity and sailing skills, and not an environment where the biggest purse necessarily gives a bigger edge.

Each boat will have certain common features: the canting keel and bulb, standardised carbon fibre mast and a reduction in the number of sails from 38 to 20, with approximately nine sails measured in per leg, again intended as a cost saving measure.

Recognising the importance of sophisticated media coverage, the new race boats will be required to have a dedicated on-board media centre separate from the navigational equipment. The latest mini-cams will be installed on each boat to provide even more coverage opportunities.

Crew numbers will be reduced and women will be encouraged by new crew limits. An all-male crew will be limited to nine, a mixed crew, provided it consists of at least five women, will be increased to 10 and an all-female team may have up to 11 crew members.

Among other changes, the traditional Southampton start will be dropped in favour of a Mediterranean venue, thus severing the final ties with its former guise as one of British yachting's presitge events.

Since the days of NCB Ireland, a cadre of Irish sailing talent has been quietly racing the world's ocean with various international projects, establishing a crew pool for a fresh entry from the Irish sailing scene that is almost exclusively focused on the Olympic classes at present.

Unpredictable winds forced the postponement of race four in the America's Cup yesterday. Swiss challengers Alinghi still lead 3-0 in the series.