Volvo Ocean Race - Anyone taking an interest?

neris

Just wondering if anyone is really paying much attention to the Volvo race? Was talking to two of my friends who ive known since we were kids sailing and we always took a very keen interest at the times in the whitbread races up to about 10 years ago but talking recently none of us really knew what much about what was going on in the race or the boats. Pre interent we cut out newspaper and magazine pieces but with the last few races having far more publicity via internet none of us has really taken much ineterst.

HeidiHeidi

I'm recording the TG4 shows, watching the latest one tonight - fair play to them, if it wasn't for them we'd hardly know the race was on! It's a difficult sport to cover, but they make a fair fist of it. TG4 the only ones (as far as I know) who cover the America's Cup as well.

Only took up sailing about 10/12 years ago, and offshore maybe 4 years ago, so these are only really crossing my radar now. I'd much prefer to be out there!!!

murphym7

Watching a bit of it recently - series linked on TG4. Although I saw Sky Sports doing something on it during the week too - might even be the same show.

I dropped up a couple of years ago to Galway to have a look at the boats while they were in - very impressive boats. Although you can see the damage two of the boats have sustained already - they are built to very tight margins. i wouldnt fancy going around the world on one.

gdkaufmann

HeidiHeidi,

If you took up sailing a dozen years ago, and just started sailing offshore four years ago, where did you sail before?

I'm not cracking a joke. I moved here from the US last July, and am excited about sailing here, but back in the States I was a lakes and rivers sailor.

I know it will take me awhile to get up to speed on tides/currents enough to feel comfortable offshore here (or anywhere)I also know there are plenty of lakes here in Ireland, but I have no car. Are there many easily accessible tidal/coastal rivers that can be reached and sailed by a bot of less than 20'?

My type of sailing is what, in the U.S., is referred to as"gunkholing"

Thanks.

Pigeon Reaper

Where are you based? There's lots of clubs around so let us know so we can recommend some close to you.

gdkaufmann

I'm in Dublin. So far the Dun Laoghaire clubs seem to be mostly racing-oriented. I'm sure I'm selling them short, but that's just what I've been able to see from a distance, and online.

Thanks for any and all help.

HeidiHeidi

gdkaufmann wrote: »

I'm in Dublin. So far the Dun Laoghaire clubs seem to be mostly racing-oriented. I'm sure I'm selling them short, but that's just what I've been able to see from a distance, and online.

Thanks for any and all help.

I'm afraid I'm a dyed-in-the-wool racer.... we race around the cans in Dun Laoghaire, and most of the offshore stuff I've done has been racing as well. Although I've done a few deliveries to/from France and Spain.Cruising really isn't my thing, unless it's in the Med and very warm!I'd agree with you that DL is mostly about racing, but there has to be plenty leisure sailors as well - it's a matter of getting to know them! Try the clubs - I know ours (National Yacht Club) has a cruising section.Inland waters I'm afraid I'm not that well up on - maybe someone else will be along and advise.Have you definitely no interest in racing? Crew always needed, and there's a great buzz from it!

ado100

gdkaufmann wrote: »

I'm in Dublin. So far the Dun Laoghaire clubs seem to be mostly racing-oriented. I'm sure I'm selling them short, but that's just what I've been able to see from a distance, and online.

Thanks for any and all help.

Don't be put off by the racing in DL, all the clubs have a strong cruising and leisure sailing fraternities also and they're all looking for new members at the moment. Who knows, maybe you'll find yourself out in the bay racing some day - it's the best fun you can have with your (wet) clothes on!

gdkaufmann

By the by, and to get back on topic, I have been watching the Volvo updates on TG4. I'm thinking I'll head down to Galway in July to see them come in as well.

SAINTRON

Watching it on the web daily and playing the game. Never been sailing in my life but suddenly I love it{the dry sofa version}. I'd be a fair weather sailor though and would love to give it a go come spring. Must say the website as a whole is top class. I felt when the final leg to Galway was announced/agreed that it was more of a token stop considering they're only coming from Lorient. Granted its a difficult run, but nothing like the last time. Hope Discover Ireland didn't fork out too much for it....

BostonB

What game?

SAINTRON

This game.....

http://www.volvooceanracegame.com/play

Addictive and fun....;)

Tabnabs

For a less commercial version of the race try http://sailonline.org/

the keen edge

SAINTRON wrote: »

I felt when the final leg to Galway was announced/agreed that it was more of a token stop considering they're only coming from Lorient. Granted its a difficult run, but nothing like the last time. Hope Discover Ireland didn't fork out too much for it....

Cant agree with you whatsoever.

Being announced as the final port was the ultimate prize on offer for every City around the globe canvassing for inclusion in the VOR.

As in every sport, the final is by far the most important aspect in the event. With regard to public exposure, commercial interests and the small matter of actually winning the race, the final port is the jewel in the crown.

As for the VOR race leg into Galway, for the vast majority of people who will visit Galway(as final port), where the boats have sailed from is inconsequential.
Be it Boston or Lorient most people will be only be interested, and indeed able to participate in the events/festivities once the boats arrive in Galway.

Also the Galway in-port racing, or possibly the actual Lorient to Galway leg will have double points on offer ensuring a hugely competitive finale.

Having said all that its hard to say if the 2012 Galway VOR event will be as successful as the 2009 visit.

Two reasons for my doubt: firstly the state of the global economy, bound to have an effect: secondly 2009 Galway VOR was such a raging success it will be very hard to exceed or even match it.

ednwireland

shame its not a round the world race this year

The real World gets in the way - Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gA1LbWiQ24

Tabnabs

In fairness, it's the only sensible solution

Tow

Health and Safety must have not taken into account the dangers of lifting the yachts with crew still on board!

neris

just goes to show how commercialised the race has become when they pick a port that they have to cease racing to get into because of pirates.

Tabnabs

For anyone still playing the game - a monumental cock up (and I was doing really ****ing well :mad:)

Restart Leg 4
21 February 2012
Following a technical problem that affected 80% of players at approximately 10:30 GMT on 21st February, Volvo Ocean Race Game returned to Dry Docks to allow an assessment of the technical issue. At the same time, a protest committee met to consider the best course of action for continuing Leg 4.
The protest committee is made up of representatives of United Games and player representatives.

The committee considered the fact that there are at least 4 main leading groups spread across an area of 200 nm. Given this, a rollback would mean that it would not be possible to make a fair and equitable roll back position to all leading groups. The committee also noted that many of these groups were heading towards a critical windshift with the new map due in at 18:00GMT.

It has therefore been decided that all players will return to a starting point which will be as near as possible to the real boats. This position will be determined when the site re-opens at 18:00GMT 21st February. The race will restart at 12.00 GMT/UTC (13.00 CET) on 22nd February.

SAINTRON

Yeah....I was primed for the big wind shift....advantage lost....:(