Live video stream brings Volvo Ocean Race to life
20 June 12: HIGH-quality video footage beamed live and direct to fans via FleetBroadband is revolutionising coverage of the Volvo Ocean Race.
A ground-breaking new web-based live streaming service is being delivered through Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband 500 service – allowing fans to share in the race drama as it happens.
Volvo Ocean Race has seen huge demand for the live feeds on its website – offering real-time, multimedia coverage.
First event
The 2011-12 race is the first global event to use the new Livestream service.
Fans have been able to watch pro-am practice races, in-port races and leg starts thanks to the Livestream link-up.
And, outside of port, live video of the race drama has been beamed from the yachts via FleetBroadband, using Livewire’s M-Link Live-X software.
Internet feed
The race team can distribute the content in a variety of ways – on its website, its YouTube live channel, Facebook or through mobile apps.
The potential of Livestream is tremendous – offering the ability to bring live coverage of sporting and other events straight into living rooms around the world.
Game-changing
“Having FleetBroadband on the boats has helped revolutionise the way that we can bring the biggest and most challenging around-the-world yacht race to a global audience.
“The Inmarsat service has been fantastic and has enabled us to show live video direct from the boats - even in the most extreme conditions of the Southern Ocean.”
Edge-of-seat
Those logging on to the race site in the final stages of Leg 7 were rewarded with edge-of-their-seat live drama.
Race organisers set up a live streaming connection with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing as the team struggled to maintain their narrow lead on Groupama.
Inmarsat’s race correspondent Mark Covell commented: “It was if we were there onboard, sat on the deck.”
And it was the same with the finish of Leg 8, when Groupama romped home to a French victory in Lorient.
“In this last leg Volvo invited five journalists to ask questions to five different boats and streamed the whole interview on its website - live.
“It was a huge success,” said Mark.
Great TV
“The excitement and connection the fans have made with this race has been boosted by the amount of high-quality live footage coming off the boats.
“This technology is down to the capabilities of Inmarsat and their partners. I know it’s my job to get excited about this stuff, but I can truly say - that was great TV.”
Volvo Ocean Race Livestream: www.volvooceanrace.com
Inmarsat race site: volvo.inmarsat.com
