Some yachts are built for leisure. Others are built for speed. And then, there are the rare few like L4 — a Volvo Open 70 thoroughbred with a pedigree rooted in some of the most demanding offshore racing on the planet. Now listed through boutique brokerage McD Yachts, this storied vessel represents an extraordinary opportunity to own a genuine piece of yachting history.
For anyone serious about offshore performance or drawn to the intensity of round-the-world racing, L4 is a name that echoes across the yachting world. This is no ordinary racer-cruiser. She is a former champion of the Volvo Ocean Race — a class still regarded as one of the fastest monohulls ever to sail offshore.
But the story of L4 is not just one of performance. It’s a story of purpose-built design, campaign evolution, and a team behind her who pushed the limits of ocean racing technology and human endurance.
And now, the L4 is on the market.
A yacht with purpose and pedigree
Built in 2008 at the Ericsson racing team’s custom boat yard under the expert oversight of Killian Bushe — the builder behind many of the world’s top racing yachts — L4 was born from a highly strategic programme. The Ericsson Racing Team, backed by Swedish telecom giant Ericsson, commissioned two VO70s as part of their 2008–09 Volvo Ocean Race campaign. The first yacht, L3, was the precursor, a developmental platform shaped by lessons from the winning ABN AMRO design.
As lead designer Juan Kouyoumdjian explains:
“The first boat was needed as early as possible so we designed her as an evolution of ABN AMRO but without much R&D. In parallel, we launched an extensive 17-month research campaign that concluded in the design of Ericsson 4.”
This second boat, the L4 — often referred to as Ericsson 4, Groupama 70 or Trifork in subsequent campaigns — became the final race-winning design. She proved formidable.
Today, L4 stands among only a handful of VO70s considered fully optimised and capable of dominating major offshore events such as the Rolex Fastnet or Sydney Hobart races. Her design pedigree, build quality and ongoing performance potential make her one of the most competitive boats of her kind still on the water.
Technical powerhouse
L4 measures in at 21.50 metres (70 feet) overall, with a beam of 5.7 metres and a deep-draft canting keel of 4.5 metres. Her hull is constructed from pre-preg carbon, lending maximum stiffness with minimum weight — a total displacement of just 11,860 kilograms.
She features water ballast tanks totalling over 3,000 litres and a powerful sail plan that includes 170m² of mainsail, 358m² of headsail area, and an immense 495m² downwind sail. A retractable prop and a Volvo Penta D2 75hp engine ensure she’s well equipped for delivery legs or in-port manoeuvring, while maintaining the performance edge of a pure racer.
Despite her race-bred DNA, L4 offers potential for conversion to high-performance adventure sailing or campaigning on the grand prix offshore circuit. Her carbon bones and robust systems leave the door wide open for owners with ambition — whether to race, refit, or repurpose.
Historic waters: Racing to glory
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of L4 is her story — one steeped in some of sailing’s most iconic modern events.
Originally part of the Ericsson Racing Team, she was integral to the preparation that led to the dominant win of Ericsson 4 in the 2008–09 Volvo Ocean Race. Skippered by Brazilian legend Torben Grael, and crewed by some of the sport’s top names including Brad Jackson, Stu Bannatyne, and Tony Mutter, Ericsson 4 broke the world monohull 24-hour distance record — covering 596.6 nautical miles at an average speed of 24.85 knots.
After her initial campaign, she went on to race under several banners including Groupama 70 and Trifork, continuing to compete in offshore events around the world.
This class — the Volvo Open 70s — marked a turning point in round-the
offshore starting line. No production boats would ever match the raw energy and motion of a VO70 under full sail — and L4 is one of the most proven.
Represented by McD Yachts
A yacht like L4 demands the right representation — and that’s exactly what she has with McD Yachts.
Founded by Paul MacDonald, a seasoned professional with more than three decades of experience across yacht racing, construction, and international sales, McD specialises in bespoke brokerage for discerning clients. Paul’s background includes racing alongside Sir Peter Blake on Lion New Zealand, managing Marten Marine, and leading global superyacht sales for Southern Spars.
Backed by this depth of knowledge, McD Yachts approaches every listing with discretion, detail, and integrity. Their Australasian clients benefit from a truly international network and a reputation for matching passionate sailors with remarkable boats.
A future still to be written
While her past is legendary, L4’s future is unwritten. Will she return to the racecourse under new colours? Be converted for high-speed adventure cruising? Or put on the circuit to win all the offshore 600 mile races?
Whatever lies ahead, one thing is certain: L4 is no museum piece. She is alive, full of potential, and ready for her next chapter.
McD Yachts is inviting enquiries now — but vessels of this calibre don’t sit still for long. For those with the vision, ambition, and passion to take the helm of a true offshore icon, L4 may just be the opportunity of a lifetime.
