More than 1,500 people have so far applied for a coveted role as an onboard reporter during the next round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race.
The response has stunned organisers who say they are working hard to sift through the email applications to find the perfect candidate for each team.
“The onboard reporter is a unique feature of this event,” said Volvo Ocean Race Chief Executive Knut Frostad.
“They are the war correspondent of the race.
“It's something that we started quite recently and it's really to bring the story, excitement and action to the audience.
“It's an incredibly tough job. It's probably the toughest journalist job you can find.”
Applications have come in from around the world, with most from the race's home country – Spain.
There's also been great interest from other countries on the event's route for 2014-15, including the US, Sweden, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, Portugal, New Zealand and China.
They include applications from people with backgrounds as camera operators, directors, reporters, sports and news journalists.
Rick Deppe, Onboard Reporter Project Manager for the race, said: “The levels of skill and experience from many of the candidates are off the charts.”
Those lucky enough to be shortlisted for the role will spend five weeks training at the race headquarters in Alicante, Spain.
The ones who get through will then be matched up with one of the teams for the pre-race period, plus the event itself.
The reporters, known as media crew members (MCMs) in the previous two editions of the race, helped transform TV, press and internet coverage.
Their role was made possible by Inmarsat's FleetBroadband service, which enables them to send video, photos, blogs and audio clips from anywhere along the 39,000 nautical-mile race route.
For the next race, organisers want applicants who can tell stories about the race across a variety of media.
“Fans have told us that they love seeing great images of the power and the raw energy of the Volvo Ocean Race, but what they really want are stories,” said Rick.
“They want to know what the crew are thinking, feeling, doing.
“We're looking for people who can bring that vision to life.”
Apply: www.volvooceanrace.com
