2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race boats with embedded media

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2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race boats with embedded media

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January 19, 2007 The next running of the world’s most demanding offshore adventure, the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race (the former Whitbread Round the World Race), features 11 ocean legs, eight inshore races and shorter stopovers in a route which takes in the hitherto uncharted territories of Asia, India and the Middle East. The race will start in the port of Alicante, Spain in the autumn of 2008. There are also changes to crew numbers and one of the most intriguing moves was the introduction of a new position of on-board media specialist – every boat in the race will carry full-time media liaison to improve the quality of interviews and imagery and to facilitate quicker and better editing of the vast quantity of footage. On-board audio and video of the last race helped raise the profile of the event but with the immediacy of new media at the race organiser’s disposal, the new moves are expected to further broaden the appeal of the race. The new rules are also designed to facilitate an all-female crew in the event.

Glenn Bourke, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, explains these key elements of the 2008-09 Notice of Race.

Q: What is the thinking behind the introduction of a designated media crew member for 2008-09?

A: Our TV programming from the last race made for some compelling viewing, but for us to take that to the next level we decided that we needed to include a media specialist on board.

It's difficult to film, put probing questions to a crew member, and take photographs when all hell's breaking loose, but this is exactly where the story gets interesting for the viewer. And you certainly can't do it when the person responsible for the media output is an integral member of the sailing team. So the media person allows the core crew to focus on what they do best - sailing the boat.

We will always have skippers filing their daily e-mails to the outside world, and followers of the race will always want to hear what the guys racing on board have to say on camera. With the media person at the controls of the camera and microphone we believe the output will be more insightful. The on-board material from the last race was exceptional: dramatic and humorous in equal measure, and often in the heat of battle. This time we want to up the ante, and, by virtue of the technology we have at our disposal, broaden the appeal of the race.

Q: How will you make sure that the media crew member does not participate in sailing the boat?

A: During the declaration procedure at the end of each leg, the crews are asked whether they have complied with the rules. If they sign the documentation to confirm that they have complied with a rule which forbids the media person from sailing the boat, and we have reasonable grounds for doubting them, then they risk the race committee proving a case against them.

We can use footage from on-board cameras which we can switch on remotely if required. It's a heavy risk to run, so I don't assume anyone will cheat in this instance.

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