MADRID (AFP) - Organisers of Volvo Ocean Race Friday announced new rules aimed at making the round-the-world event cheaper and more competitive in 2011-12.

The rules limit the number of sails used and the construction of a single boat for each team.

The points system is also changed.

A victory in each ocean stage will now be worth five times as many points as for the in-port races. In the 2008-09 edition the stages were worth twice the number of points as the in-port regattas.

The number of crew allowed will remain at 11 for each of the VO70 yachts, including a media crew member. However, a female team can comprise a crew of 14.

The course of the next race, to be announced in March, will also be shorter than the last one.

With new rules the organisers hope to attract 10 to 12 teams instead of the eight that took part in the last edition.

Only two teams -- one Brazilian, one Italian -- are so far registered for the next Volvo Ocean Race, which will start in 2011 from its home base in the Spanish Mediterranean port of Alicante.