A successful Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Auckland saw Dongfeng Race Team win both the NZ Herald In-Port Race and the Inmarsat Communication Award.
A real variety of popular video content posted during the epic race from Hong Kong captured the crew in calmer, even playful, moments – such as debating, and attempting to demonstrate, what sport they would take on in the Winter Olympics.
Crew member Liu Xue ‘Black’ celebrated Chinese New Year by hanging traditional decorations around the boat and handing out lucky gifts to his companions – including a very unusual item modelled by Skipper Charles Caudrelier to mark the Year of the Dog!
Such a good team atmosphere pays dividends when success relies on race crew working seamlessly together in a claustrophobic and often stressful environment. But even in the toughest racing event in the world there are moments of tranquillity, as seen in this breathtaking drone footage taken as Dongfeng sailed along Surprise Atoll north of New Caledonia.
The Inmarsat Communication Award recognises the most compelling coverage transmitted from the boats during each leg. With Inmarsat as Official Satellite Communications Partner, the On-Board Reporter and crew members can rely on FleetBroadband to share their images and videos with a global audience.
Each Volvo Ocean 65 is also equipped with Inmarsat C, the only GMDSS-approved satellite safety service, and IsatPhone 2 satellite phones in the liferaft grab bags.
The 7,600 nautical mile seventh leg to Itajai in Brazil starts on 18 March.
