The VO70 is a wholly new boat. Nobody has sailed on it before; all that is known about her is what her computers say about performance and theoretical behavior. The lack of actual data on the boat’s behavior before ocean sailing trials start is the same for all entrants. Bouwe Bekking – “movistar”’s Skipper – has no doubts about it, and that is why he is so keen on the training program. “Every mile sailed means information and experience. Everyone must get acquainted with a boat we have never sailed in before; many changes will have to be made before the race starts on November 12.”

Equipped with an impressive array of technology on board to assist him, Navigator Andrew Cape has his own views on this data collection exercise: “We have 30 sensors distributed all over the boat. The main ones measure boat speed, compass direction, wind speed and angle, and GPS position. During sailing, over 100 variables are recorded every second for control. All this information is compiled, analyzed and stored; we use it later to generate tables on the most appropriate adjustments for every different condition, to apply them during the race.”

“We use customized software developed specifically for this purpose, and record data around the clock. Our goal is to make comparisons as fast as possible to make the best decision, and therefore, the best way to sail the boat.”

A floating TV studio

Communication is one of the priorities in this year’s edition of the Race. “The boats will spend several weeks sailing on their own – Pedro Campos, General Manager of the team, recalls – but thanks to onboard technology, we will follow their every move as if we were there”. Every boat will be equipped with 7 state-of-the-art TV mini-cameras and an editing studio to produce the weekly 20 minutes of tape that the organization demands (on earlier editions, only 8 minutes had to be filmed every week). “Shooting, editing and sending images via satellite is going to keep me busy several hours a day when I’m not on duty), says Pepe Ribes. The Alicante-born Bowman will be in charge of choosing the best images of the VO70 “movistar”, compress then and send them through the specialized equipment onboard.

This impressive display of technology aims to take this human challenge to a mass audience, through media coverage unparalleled in the history of sailing. “We have a red button on deck to capture the most relevant moments – says Ribes–. When you push it once, the cameras start shooting everything that happens. The mere thought of being able to tape what goes on at the Indian Ocean or rounding Cape Horn gives me goose bumps”.

Permanently online

The following equipment will be installed onboard the “movistar” for the reception and transmission of all the data required for navigation: four satellite-networked computers; a stern-mounted Fleet 77 satellite for high-speed data transmission (such as video transmission or weather data reception); a second Fleet 33 medium-sized satellite (for lower power transmissions); two robust Satcom C satellites for low-speed transmissions (such as e-mail or position data reception); one radar; and one satellite telephone. “The “movistar” will be permanently online through the satellite – says Pedro Campos - , whatever her position on the planet. This is quite a landmark for communications”.

Eight months before the start of the race, communication experts from the Livewire company are working in the fine tuning of the system that will allow the boats to be constantly in contact with Volvo Ocean Race headquarters in Whiteley (south coast of England), the center for storage and distribution of all race-related information.

Despite the actual possibility of installing Internet onboard, the race organizers have chosen to restrict its use. “All the weather information will be received through the race office, every six hours – Bekking recalls - , and they will also handle all external communications. No external assistance is permitted during the race, and the use of Internet is strictly prohibited, to prevent any outsider from supplying information that may represent and advantage over the competitors”.

“In fact – says Andrew Cape - , there are only three ways to know exactly where our competitors are: visually, if they are really nearby, through the mast-mounted radar, or waiting for the information update received every six hours from VOR headquarters.”

Every electrical equipment on the VO70 “movistar” is powered by a 20-HP Volvo diesel generator. Pepe Ribes will be responsible for keeping it operational: “I am in charge of internal systems, and as such, one of my tasks is to maintain the generator operating properly. But nothing is left to chance in the Round the World race, so even running out of power is a possibility we contemplate, and for that we have an emergency sextant and magnetic compasses. The rest is pure skill!”.

Source: Melendy Britt