Posted at 11th November 2008 11:57The Volvo Virtual Ocean Race
Norfolk's entry Norfolkbroads.Com
With the start of the Volvo race millions of sailors dream of being part of the action well now they can all from the comfort of the arm chair or in the case of the team from Norfolk Broads.Com the warmth of the office. This Log follows the fortunes of one team determined to beat the odds and become part of the sailing elite.
There have been nine Whitbread and Volvo Ocean Races to date, with 121 yachts and over 1,500 men and women facing one incredible challenge. Team-members, shore crews and boat-builders alike have just one aim: to deliver excellence under the most demanding of circumstances, and they go to extreme lengths to achieve their dream.
We have all dreamt of sailing round the world however to get their dream of a Volvo entry off the ground, the would-be skipper must first put on his suit and raise around 20 million Euros in sponsorship to run the campaign. In the current economic climate, this can be a long struggle: it took Ian Walker 15 months to secure half of that money for his Green Dragon team. Some have a more fortuitous experience – Puma skipper Ken Read’s entry into the world of Volvo Ocean Racing began with a chance dinner with a major Puma shareholder. “We just sat around and I’d tell him Volvo stories. It wasn’t until the end of the regatta that he told me about Puma, and the fact they’d been considering getting into sailing. He went back to his board and they decided they wanted to go for it.”
Cash in hand, skippers turn project manager, putting together the best team they can find: designers, boat builders, shore crew, media and, crucially, eleven of the best sailors in the world. Skippers who excel surround themselves with excellent people, and trust, resilience and the willingness to go the extra mile are just some of the qualities they will look for in each individual.
With this in mind the true dedicated armchair sailor can now be part of the action and take part in the Volvo race by way of virtual sailing.
Using the data received from the eight boats taking part in the actual race teams from all corners of the world can pit their experience and knowledge against the worlds top flight sailing professionals.
It was decided in true bull dog spirit and over a pint at the local pub to put together a crew and most importantly the boat to fly the flag for Norfolk.
With family members left on the dock side in Alicante the real race set of in fine winds heading for the straits of Gibraltar.
On board Norfolkbroads.com things didn't go according to plan. After finally installing a separate head(toilet)to accommodate the mixed crew (meeting the demands of said crew who after all are about to set off around the world and should always look "one's best") with mirrors and hair dryers His and Hers wash basins. Set off to a huge crowd two days late. NB.com slipped her moorings in hot pursuit. James at the helm giving last minute instructions that really can't be put into words, to the shore crew for forgetting to add lemons to the shopping list for the daily round of gin and tonic team briefings Make sure they are in Cape Town for our arrival..
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