Volvo Ocean Race: The Start of a New Era for Modern Sailing

Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015 at final legs reaching peaks of live global viewers released this image.

The end of the Volvo Ocean Race marks the start of a new era for Modern Sailing Competition. For a race with more than 40 years of history, words like adaptation and change are the stone columns on which they build upon. This year´s edition can be called groundbreaking,  Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015 has opened a new door to the world of modern sailing, a door that will not close, remains always open and proves to change forever the sport. 

On June 22nd Reuters reported that Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing took home the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015.

The Team led the overall score despite finishing fifth in the final leg 9. Team Alvimedica took first position of Leg 9.  Team Brunel came in second, MAPFRE third., Dongfeng Race Team fourth, Vestas sixth and SCA seventh. 

Coming in third in the final leg was not enough for MAPFRE to secure a place in the podium. Overall Score led by Abu Dhabi was followed by Brunel and Dongfeng. Alvimedica concluded fourth in the Overall Score, MAPFRE fifth, SCA sixth and Vestas seventh. 

It has always been, certain elements which made the spirit of Volvo Ocean Race unique. The boats, the teams, the sailors, the ports and seas. This year´s edition changed it all with the addition of new elements. 

Global audience, levelled boat designs, increased sailing modern technology, massive content delivery, virtual tracking, modern climate patterns, on board reporters, sailing personalities...these elements made the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015 a historical one. 

Teams did not sail around the world alone... a global audience and community followed them close. When Abu Dhabi took first place the Volvo Ocean Race Facebook page filled with likes and streamed with comments. Teams must have sure felt the warmth of home and the cheers and support of the public and their understanding every day.

Teams battled the final Leg 9 giving it all they had to reach the final finish line and shake up rankings. 

“The around-the-world-sail-podium is open. I do not have the words to describe all the efforts and passion that are in stake. It is in these moments in which nerves need to be of steel and decisions 120% right.,”MAPFRE Francisco Vignale stated while still sailing the final miles of Leg 9. 

Even after having gone all around the world, in 9 months of exhausting competition Teams spirits where high. 

“It is a game of chess in the water. The foot on the gas  set for target, eyes set on that podium and like the race horse looking forward with nine riders with whip in hand all speed forward. Today is the day!” MAPFRE stated. 

Disputing the final positions Teams sailed the European waters and the English Channel -miles of final leg. While taking on intense marine traffic, exclusion zones which divided the fleet, winds of 23 knots, on and off sirens signaling to dangerous rock formations and taking on high currents which Abu Dhabi described as “monsters beneath the ship”, teams still had time for reflection.

“It has been a pleasure and a lifetime experience. These nine months onboard MAPFRE are unforgettable and a dream come true. To each and every one of you thank you for having been there in the good and bads, in the winds and the calms, in the Doldrums, in the South Pacific and even in the Sea of China. I do not want to write a goodbye but rather... a “Until Next Time!,”  MAPFRE Vignale majestically stated. 

“It is surreal to think that tonight is the last night at sea in this Volvo Ocean Race…I feel above all relief...of all the little decisions that have stolen our sleep during the past two years...Relief that our team will obtain reward for their work and dedication and above all for the sacrifices which our families had to make, these have not been in vain,” Ian Walker Skipper of the Team which took the Overall Score stated. 

“In reality each team and every sailor has won this Volvo Ocean Race -that is the beautiful thing about the event. To sail around the world in these boats still continues to be something at reach for very few people,” Walker of Abu Dhabi listed the most important reasons for celebrations. 

The people behind the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015 also deserve recognition and celebration. Organizers, on-port people, weather teams and rescue crews around the world shinned for impeccable logistics. 

Those who designed and constructed the new boat from top to bottom with new innovations also took home a victory. The Volvo Ocean 65 met all expectations powered by strong and inspiring North Sails -with with 578 square meters of sail surface and boat innovations such as the keel and the unique bow. Volvo had promised the race would be a “Human Experience” and they delivered. 

Teams and On-Board Reporters supported by the most modern technology were able to show us up close not only the world of modern high speed sailing but the entire oceans. These opened up to the global audience throughout the different platforms. From TV, to live streaming, online and social media international viewers took to the human experience through tides and winds. “Life at the Extreme,” the Volvo Ocean Race weekly shows  are historical. 

“Our boats for this race have been built from the ground up to double as floating production houses with cameras, microphones, interview locations and editing facilities onboard,” Volvo Inside guy sexplained. 

Thanks to them we followed teams from the start to the Indian Ocean. Followed the news on the Cyclone devastation and amazed at ocean mastery, trembled with cold of the South Pacific, awed at Gates Horn, desperated in the Caribbean calm, amazed in the railway Azores Atlantic crossed over, and laughed nervously at Sea Ends. We read the wind maps, and spoke about marine traffic, saw algae beds and wondered on Ocean mysteries, commented on the state of our oceans and reflected on today's era. The finish line of the Volvo Ocean Race was a celebration not only of the courage demonstrated in the ocean sailing but the achievement to reconnect the sport of sailing to the global community.

…”For 40 years, sailors in the Volvo Ocean Race have battled mountainous seas, gale-force winds, sleep deprivation and the demands of living and working at sea in impossibly cramped conditions...Navigation was by dead reckoning and sextant and the race track followed the route of the old square riggers of the 19th century. The adventure came from facing the oceans and the elements at their most unpredictable. The cabins, wine, meat, cooks and fresh water have long since gone, replaced by shared bunks, desalination units, GPS, freeze dried food and protein bars. But while so much has changed over the past 40 years, the essence of the race is still the same. The ocean remains as challenging, as beautiful and as dangerous as it ever was,” Volvo Ocean gets historical.  

The new edition of the Volvo Ocean Race is now on standby for a new start. Sailors will once again have to find their ways around the World.