Boat entry costs slashed by half, confirms PwC report

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Amory Ross/Team Alvimedica/Volvo Ocean Race

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Stefan Coppers / Team Brunel / Volvo Ocean Race

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Anna-Lena Elled / Team SCA / Volvo Ocean Race

At a time when rival major global sports events are struggling to contain spiralling costs, a report by independent auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has praised sailing’s premier round-the-world event, the Volvo Ocean Race, for halving the price of competing for sponsors (full story below).

– Sponsors’ costs drop by half to enter

– Improved reliability and efficiency highlighted

– Ninety per cent of maintenance ‘proactive rather than reactive’

ALICANTE, Spain, February 4 – At a time when rival major global sports events are struggling to contain spiralling costs, a report by independent auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has praised sailing’s premier round-the-world event, the Volvo Ocean Race, for halving the price of competing for sponsors.

Much of the credit for this has been ascribed by report author, Manuel Díaz, to The Boatyard, the shared-maintenance facility introduced by the race for the last edition in 2014-15.

“A campaign now costs around 50 per cent less to run – in the last editions, the cost was between €20-35 million rather than €10-15 million for campaigns at the same level,” the report, Assessment of the Maintenance Operating Model, says.

The Boatyard has broken new ground in the offshore racing industry, pooling both human and equipment resources for the servicing of a newly-introduced class of boat. The Farr-designed Volvo Ocean 65 one-design broke with 40 years of tradition in an event, which was launched in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race.

The report, which was commissioned by the race after the finish of the 12th edition in June last year, highlighted: “The list of benefits is no longer hypothetical: the model has already been implemented, showing an excellent performance and outstanding results.”

The report, in particular, praises:

• Significant cost reduction in contracts with suppliers, spare parts stock, transportation, labour and support staff and infrastructure

• A reduction of breakages and the consequent corrective maintenance

• Improved predictive maintenance, fixing potential weaknesses before they result in breakdowns

It added: “One of the main benefits of The Boatyard is that it has become easier to attract both participants and sponsors – the entry barrier is lower but is not only a matter of cost.

“As all the teams have the exact same platform, the risk of having a much slower boat is lower. On the other hand, safety has been at the heart of the one-design process, with the boats designed to last at least two editions of the toughest race on earth.”

Díaz recommends that The Boatyard could be even more effective with a stepped-up level of performance monitoring through a list of key indicators such as average time for repair, man power utilisation and efficiency and inventory turnover.

Nick Bice, who manages The Boatyard, was delighted the project had won the positive comments from the PwC report.

“What pleases me is that it’s recognised now that our standards are in line with the very highest in the automotive and aeronautical industries,” he said.

“A key statistic that has been highlighted is that 90 per cent-plus of our servicing was proactive, in other words fixing potential problems before they led to breakdowns. Only around 10 per cent of that work was reactive.

“Our ambition is now simple: we are aiming to get to a stage where there is no excuse for breakages in the next race other than those caused by human error.

“We don’t want future stories to be about why a boat has broken down, we want the stories to be about the people sailing onboard.”

via Boat entry costs slashed by half, confirms PwC report| Volvo Ocean Race.

A spectacular photographic exhibition, ‘Zoom In’, depicting the contrast between aerial and onboard images shot by the professional photographers working on the last Volvo Ocean Race was launched today at the event’s museum (full story below).

–       Race photographers set new standards

–       Displays contrast onboard images with panoramic

–       Pick of images chosen from collection of 85,000

ALICANTE, Spain, February 2 – A spectacular photographic exhibition, ‘Zoom In’, depicting the contrast between aerial and onboard images shot by the professional photographers working on the last Volvo Ocean Race was launched today at the event’s museum.

Some of the work has been recognised at international photography competitions and stands out as much for the quality and the advanced technology used, as the legendary sailing points around the world, such as Cape Horn, where they were shot.

“We have carefully selected this visual tribute to the incredible talent and dedication shown by the sailors, as well as the nine Onboard Reporters, and the team of around 25 race and stakeholder photographers who worked day and night to capture to perfection these unforgettable images,” said Race CEO, Knut Frostad.

At today’s launch of the exhibition, which was attended by Eva Montesinos, Alicante’s Counsellor of Sports, Tourism and Beaches, head of the picture desk for the race, Carmen Hidalgo, described the difficult task of choosing 24 images from the 85,000 taken during the 2014-15 edition of the event, which finished last June.

“A clear example of the excellent camera work during the race was the image shot by British photographer, Rick Tomlinson, from a helicopter at Cape Horn,” said Hidalgo, referring to Tomlinson’s picture of Team Brunel, which was recently awarded the prestigious Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image Award 2015, in the category decided by the public.

“I have never before seen anything like it, and I’m sure that within a few years this picture will become a reference of excellence in sailing photography,” she added.

The onboard photography captured by the Onboard Reporters within the seven teams of the 2014-15 edition was complemented by a team of 16 photographers who were commissioned by the teams and also the race, such as Tomlinson (Team SCA), Carlo Borlenghi (Race), Kurt Arrigo (Team Brunel) and Ainhoa Sánchez, who was the event’s official photographer.

The images, exhibited in life-size format and illuminated behind screens, give visitors a real taste of what it is like to be onboard while, at the same time, capturing every scene with a panoramic view showing the immensity of the ocean and marine life.

“The intention of ‘Zoom In’ is to allow the visitor to experience the journey across all of the different perspectives of an adventure like this. From the beauty of a majestic boat in the middle of the ocean, to the physical exhaustion of the crew, all at the same time,” added Hidalgo.

The Volvo Ocean Race Museum, which offers free entrance and is based in the port of Alicante next to the Race HQ, welcomed 50,488 visitors in 2015 and has the most international profile of any in the Valencia region with 44 per cent coming from overseas.

Alicante has been the departure port for the last three editions of the race (2008-09, 2011-12, 2014-15) and will again play that role for the next race in 2017-18. The city has hosted the race headquarters from 2010.

via ‘Zoom In’ for stunning race photo exhibition| Volvo Ocean Race.

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Sowrey; ‘tried to move Rio event’

27 Jan 2016

Peter Sowrey; ‘fired for trying to keep sailors out of Guanabara filth’

GUANABARA FILTH: The former CEO of World Sailing, Peter Sowrey, says he was fired for pushing to get rid of polluted Guanabara Bay as the sailing venue of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

According to an Associated Press (AP) story today, Mr Sowrey says he “tried to change the venue, or at least have a B plan”, but says “I was told to gag myself on the subject.”

Instead of sending sailors into the filth of Guanabara Bay, Mr Sowrey proposed moving the event to Buzios, a coastal resort about 160 kilometres (100 miles) from Rio that has been host to large sailing events.

“The board felt I was way too aggressive,” Mr Sowrey said. “They basically voted me out. I didn’t resign. The board finally told me to leave.”

Sowrey said looking at Guanabara Bay on “fact based, data driven models we would never consider sailing in that quality of water.”

via Boating Business | Sowrey; ‘tried to move Rio event’.

Email Print Williams wins Monsoon Cup01 Feb 2016Ian Williams (2nd from right) with his winning GAC Pindar crew6th TITLE: Ian Williams (GBR) dominated Taylor Canfield (ISV) to win the Monsoon Cup 3-0, sweeping the GAC Pindar skipper to his sixth World Championship title on the World Match Racing Tour.Mr Williams has extended his record as the most successful match racing skipper in the history of the tour.While Mr Canfield was getting the better of his arch rival in the pre-starts, once out of the blocks GAC Pindar was just coaxing maximum speed out of the FarEast 28R keelboat on the ever changing Straits of Johor.The British skipper admitted the US Virgin Islander had brought his “A game” to the pre-starts, as US One managed to stick penalties on GAC Pindar in both of the final two matches.However Mr Williams had a clear boatspeed edge that left Canfield scratching his head.The British skipper paid tribute to his team – mainsheet trimmer Gerry Mitchell, headsail trimmer Mal Parker and tactician Chris Main – for digging him out of a few holes.

via Boating Business | Williams wins Monsoon Cup.

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Land Rover BAR launch academy

25 Jan 2016

The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup (RBYAC) will use the same AC45F boats used for the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series

ACADEMY: The British America’s Cup Challenger and Land Rover have deepened their commitment to creating a sustainable talent programme in sailing with the launch of the Land Rover BAR Academy.

This new initiative will find and support talented young British sailors, and create a pathway into the America’s Cup.

The immediate goal is to select a British team to compete in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup (RBYAC) in 2017.

Raced in the same AC45F that the senior teams use for the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series, every America’s Cup Challenger and the Defender must enter a team into the RBYAC. The finals will be fought out during the main competition in Bermuda 2017.

The mentoring and support team will include Land Rover BAR Sailing Team Manager and three times America’s Cup winner Jonathan ‘Jono’ Macbeth.

Mr Macbeth commented: “The Extreme Sailing Series will provide a great opportunity to trial sailors in the Academy. This will be the first step to building a team for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in 2017.

“The longer term aim is to mentor young British sailing talent and build the next generation of British America’s Cup sailors.”

The project manager will be Rob Andrews, London 2012 Olympic Sailing/Venue Manager, and a former RYA Olympic coach.

The new Academy’s coach will be Andrew Walsh, a former Extreme Sailing Series and Olympic multihull sailor and coach.

Land Rover BAR sailor and three time winner of the series, Leigh McMillan will lead the team into the first two events to help develop their skills at the helm of these high performance boats.

via Boating Business | Land Rover BAR launch academy.

Dominant Pascoe claims 2.4mR world crown

Written by RYA | 10 January 2016

Gold for 2.4mR sailor who claims first world title in Hobart

Megan Pascoe rounded off a dominant display of racing to claim her first 2.4mR World Championship title in Hobart, Australia, this weekend.

The 29-year-old secured the Open Worlds victory a day ahead of time, having amassed an unassailable lead ahead of the final scheduled day of competition on Sunday (10 January).

But even with her world title confirmed before the final two races of the ten-race series, the Ardingly sailor still impressed on Sunday, and concluded her regatta counting four race wins and eight races inside the top three.

“It’s pretty awesome!” admitted Portland-based Pascoe. “Going into Saturday’s race, I didn’t really think about the possibility that I could win a day early, but it’s fantastic that I did.”

Pascoe has been a regular podium performer at both disabled and Open World Championships for the one-person 2.4mR Paralympic class, but this is her first time on the top step and she was determined not to be outdone by brother Sam, himself a World Champion in the International 14 class.

“We now have two World Champions in the family – both in January and both in Australian venues, so it must be something about the month and the year!

“For me to actually go out and do this in this style is great,” added Pascoe, who ended the regatta with a 21-point margin over home hero Matt Bugg.

“I’ve only ever had a couple of regattas like that where everything has happened as it should and you’ve had that little bit of luck so I’m really pleased.”

Hobart’s river Derwent certainly provided a tough test for the World Championship competitors, with challenging wind conditions and big place changes throughout the racing.

“The river Derwent hasn’t been playing ball – people say it’s the hardest end to the Sydney-Hobart race, just getting up the river, and I can understand that. It’s a very, very interesting river to sail on and I don’t really know how I’ve come out of it so well!”

Aspiring Rio 2016 sailors completed the podium, with Matt Bugg taking silver and New Zealand’s Paul Francis bronze.

Although Pascoe’s own hopes of a Paralympic Games berth didn’t come to fruition for Rio, with defending 2.4mR Paralympic Champion Helena Lucas having earned the nod for Great Britain last year, she is resolute that she will get her chance.

“I will be competing at the Paralympics; it just might not be this one!” she said confidently.

Results from 2016 2.4mR World Championships.

For news and British Sailing Team updates visit us at www.britishsailingteam.com on Facebook or on Twitter @BritishSailing

via Dominant Pascoe claims 2.4mR world crown | Home | News | The British Sailing Team | RYA.

Understanding a race start

by British Sailing Team sailor Anna Burnet

Successful execution of the start is often the most influential factor in a sailing race. This is particularly true for dinghy and inshore racing because a shorter race emphasises the need to start well and gain an early advantage on competitors.

There are a number of factors to take into account when considering how to approach a start. Implementing a pre-start plan is a great way of ensuring you have all the knowledge you need to start well and with the best chances for a successful first beat.

Within a pre-start plan, be sure to incorporate checks of rig set-up, wind patterns, line bias and transits.

Knowing where to focus attention within the starting sequence can be a difficult task and establishing a regular routine, such as below, will certainly help to enhance your confidence in the start.

5minute, warning signal: Start your stopwatch (preferably 2 stopwatches) and double check the committee boat for the course number and bearing to the windward mark. Take a head to wind bearing to compare the two numbers. This will highlight if the windward mark has been offset to one side of the beat, a factor that could be very important to your first decision.

4minute, preparatory signal: Most importantly, note which flag is being used – P, I, U, Z or Black – check your Racing Rules as to which ones to watch out for! The different preparatory flags will have an implication on your approach to the start line. For example, if the ‘black’ flag is used, you cannot cross the line in the last minute of the start and therefore you may need to line up further away and with enough space to safely manoeuvre behind the line. Continue to check the wind bearing until as late as possible, to ensure that you are confidently in phase with the shift pattern. At this stage you should be aware of the first decision you are going to be making and how this will tie in with the first beat strategy.

1minute, preparatory flag down: Depending on the flag being used, at this stage in the start you need to be in your desired starting position and lined up with enough room to accelerate onto the line. Ensure there is a constant stream of communication to the helm regarding time and distance to the line. If you have timed your run up as part of a pre-start routine, this can be used to call when to trigger the acceleration. Be prepared to react quickly if surrounding boats do decide to accelerate earlier than you anticipated.

Start, class flag down: Maximum speed across the line, with an immediate focus on the sail set-up. This is much easier if you are pulling the sails in to the same markers as decided in the pre-start rig check. As the first decision has already been pre-empted, heads can generally remain in the boat and focussed on maintaining speed. Sailors who haven’t prepared for their first decision are likely to either miss an opportunity or lose speed as their focus wanders to what’s going on around them.

Even with the best preparation for a start, there is no guarantee that it will all go to plan. In the event of a setback, the key is to stay calm and revert to the information you have gained. Once out of danger, the next decision you make should revert to the priorities you had for the first beat and all will not be lost!

via Understanding a race start | The British Sailing Team | RYA.

BACKPRESS RELEASE 13 JAN 2016, 11:01 UTCSHARE 50,488 happy customers for museum DownloadCarmen Hidalgo/Volvo Ocean Race DownloadAinhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race DownloadJavier Escandell/Volvo Ocean Race AlicanteThe Volvo Ocean Race’s museum has established itself as one of the most popular attractions in the busy tourist city of Alicante, southern Spain, with 50,488 visitors during 2015 (full story below).- Volvo Ocean Race attraction proves big hit with foreign tourists- Schoolchildren take advantage of free educational programme – Visitors can take onboard tour of former race boatsALICANTE, Spain, January 13 – The Volvo Ocean Race’s museum has established itself as one of the most popular attractions in the busy tourist city of Alicante, southern Spain, with 50,488 visitors during 2015.Some 44% of the visitors came from overseas to see the world’s leading offshore sailing event’s museum, 8% more than the previous year.That compares against the average of 13% foreigners who entered museums in the Valencia region, according to the latest official figures of the national Ministry of Culture. Of the overseas visitors, the highest proportion were British (21%), followed by French (9%), Swedish (8%), Dutch (8%) and German (7%).“This year the results of the museum have been exceptional,” said outgoing Volvo Ocean Race CEO, Knut Frostad. “We are very satisfied at having consolidated ourselves as a model for leisure, tourism and culture in the city.”Alicante residents represented 68% of the Spanish visitors, with people from Madrid accounting for 11%. The museum, which offers a free educational programme, welcomed 4,842 schoolchildren in 2015.“If we discount the effect of the hosting of 2014-15 Alicante Race Village in October 2014, when the museum received more than 12,000 visitors in 10 days, we have grown 6%,” added Frostad.“To pass the barrier of 50,000 visitors this year has been incredible. It is our maximum capacity in normal conditions.”Inaugurated in June 2012, the Volvo Ocean Race museum is a modern exhibition dedicated to the 42 years of history of the round-the-world race for crewed boats, whose fleet for the 13th edition will leave Alicante in October/November 2017 (date to be confirmed). The museum adjoins the race HQ in the city’s marina.“Whether you are interested in offshore sailing or not, you will think that this really is a museum which is worth visiting. There’s a lot of interesting information, well exhibited and very interactive,” commented a Briton, Victor, in a review on the tourist information website, TripAdvisor, that awarded the museum its Certificate of Excellence in 2014 and 2015.The free-to-enter museum, belonging to the network of museums in the Valencia region, is equipped with advanced multi-media technology and interactive attractions giving visitors a taste of life onboard the one-design boats that contest the nine-month race, the longest in world sport.The museum also boasts two Volvo Open 70 boats, Brasil 1 and The Black Pearl, which both took part in the 2005-06 edition, and are displayed outside the building ready for onboard tours at the weekends.

via 50,488 happy customers for museum | Volvo Ocean Race.

Four-time racer Mason to be port supremo

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IAN ROMAN/Volvo Ocean Race

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IAN ROMAN/Volvo Ocean Race

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Andrés Soriano/Team Sanya/Volvo Ocean Race

Richard Mason, four-time Volvo Ocean Race sailor and the man who led the shore crew for Team SCA women’s team in the last edition, has been appointed the event’s Head of Port Operations (full story below).

– The love affair continues for Aussie Richard

– Newcomer to head up ports operations

– Volvo Ocean Race ‘a life sentence’, he jokes

ALICANTE, Spain, November 25 – Richard Mason, four-time Volvo Ocean Race sailor and the man who led the shore crew for Team SCA women’s team in the last edition, has been appointed the event’s Head of Port Operations.

Mason, 41, will be responsible from the race’s side for the running of all the ports for the next edition in 2017-18 and be personally overseeing half of them, with Adolfo Rodriguez taking care of the others.

Many fans from 2014-15 will remember the Sydney-born sailor as part of the popular TV commentary team. He summed up his new challenge in one word: ‘Huge’.

“We’ll very much run an engaged, flat management,” he said.

“We’ll get the right people for the right roles and run a very tight team, where everyone is very much empowered to run their areas.

“It’s no different from a team taking part in the race – you’ve got to get the right people,” he continued.

For the ever-smiling Mason, this will also be a real labour of love. “The harsh brutality of the Volvo Ocean Race is that it’s a life sentence,” he said, only half-joking.

“There’s no two ways to approach or look at it any other way. When you’re in it, you’re fully in. It’s a crime of passion and that’s what makes it unique.

”It’s bizarre, it’s mad – but it’s brilliant.”

That love affair, which took in competing in four races prior to 2014-15 onboard Assa Abloy (2001-02), Ericsson 1 (2005-06), Ericsson 3 (2008-09) and Team Sanya (2011-12), began for Mason as a youngster in Auckland during the 1981-82 race.

“My family was closely associated with some of the crew of Ceramco (New Zealand) and Lion (New Zealand), and as a young boy at the ripe old age of about seven, I have photos of me hanging off the wheel on Ceramco in Auckland. I was hooked.

“So I’ve had a fascination and a connection to the race for as long as I can remember. It was just something I wanted to do from a very young age.”

As a youngster eager to learn, he was given the opportunity to sail with some of the New Zealand’s all-time greats like Russell Coutts, Ray Davies, Chris Dixon and Ross Field.

The latter introduced him into professional sailing via the Round Europe Race in 1997, onboard a Grand Mistral. Then he was introduced to the late Magnus Olsson through various Swedish connections.

“Magnus invited me to come and trial with Assa Abloy for the 2001-02 race and they were nice enough to give me a spot and off we went. I’ve never looked back since,” he said.

“It’s the age old story of it getting into your blood and you’re in a world of trouble,” he laughs.

Mason plans to continue working as a commentator for the Race after making his debut in the 12th edition.

“I was thrown in the deep end sitting there next to our producer, who was looking wild-eyed, and saying to himself: ‘God, I know what he’s thinking – he’d better not say it!’”

Typically, Mason took on the new challenge in his stride but, make no mistake, his heart will be always be with the sailors on the water.

He summed himself up: “There’s enough drive for sailing left there to keep a firm engagement with the roots of the race.”

via Four-time racer Mason to be port supremo| Volvo Ocean Race.

Celebrity model for Clipper Race leg

20 Nov 2015

Model Amy Willerton will join the final leg of the 2015-2016 Clipper Race

Miss Universe UK winner Amy Willerton will swap heels for keels as she joins the final leg of the Clipper 2015-2016 Round the World Yacht Race.

The former I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here contestant will join the Garmin team, sailing 3,350nm across the Atlantic Ocean to complete the 10th edition of the world’s longest ocean race.

Ms Willerton, 23, who has no previous sailing experience, prepared for the challenge by completing an intensive four week training course at the race’s base in Sydney.

She said: “I don’t think most people would associate me with challenges like this, as they just see a girly-girl in front of a camera. However, I’m a real tomboy at heart and I can’t wait to get stuck into this challenge.”

Legendary sailor, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, established the 40,000 mile ocean odyssey in order to allow non-sailors the opportunity to experience the thrill of ocean racing.

The race consists of 12 teams competing in some of the harshest conditions and is the only event of its kind which trains amateurs to become ocean racers.

After meeting Ms Willerton at the Clipper training headquarters, Sir Robin commented: “Amy really impressed our training team in Australia and I have no doubt she will put everything into the experience and be a worthy crew member.”

“Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean is no easy feat and it takes a huge amount of dedication and team work,” he added.

In contrast to her glamorous lifestyle, Ms Willerton will sleep in a small bunk and share a confined 70ft living space with up to 23 other crew members. She will be in a watch system working four hour shifts, taking her turn to cook and clean for the entire team, all while the boat can be heeling over at a forty-five degree angle.

After stopovers in Northern Ireland and the Netherlands, Ms Willerton and the rest of the team will conclude in London on 30 July 2016 with a Thames River parade.

Explaining why she chose the final leg of the race, Ms Willerton said: “I am now based in the US and work a lot in New York so sailing home to London means a lot to me.”

“I’ve made the trip many times by air but never in my wildest imagination would I have thought I would ever sail all that way.”

via Boating Business – Celebrity model for Clipper Race leg.