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And they’re off! Leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race is underway

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing takes a seven point lead into Leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race but still faces tough competition from the remaining five boats on the 5,100 nautical mile stage from, Itajai to Newport, USA.

Team Alvimedica is going to be pushing extra hard on this leg as the young American crew, skippered by Rhode Island native Charlie Enright, will be keen to take a win in their home port. Buoyed by their first in-port race victory of the series in Itajai, Team Brunel continues to dominate the In-Port Race scoreboard, one point ahead of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing in second.

Frustrating race

Sailing conditions on the day were extremely tough with almost no breeze pitting seamanship and patience in equal measures for the crews. At one point it was feared the race wouldn’t start at all with wind pressure barely above three knots, but following a frustrating race, Team Brunel managed to clinch first place just ahead of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Dongfeng Race Team.

With similar weather for the race start on 20 April it was a go-slow departure, leading to the Race Committee ruling that the fleet could sail into open seas and cut short the opening in-port lap after a frustrating hour on the water.

Electric atmosphere

However for the 50,000-strong legion of Brazilian fans who came to watch the boats leave it didn’t dampen what was described as an absolutely electric atmosphere. You can keep up with all the latest news from the boats as they head offshore thanks to Inmarsat’s satellite connectivity. As official Race Partner for the Volvo Ocean Race each boat carries our flagship FleetBroadband 250 and 500 service to enable the Onboard Reporters to send back footage and images, as well as up-date social media channels as all the excitement unfolds.

Safety service

In addition, each of boats carries our GMDSS-approved safety service, Inmarsat C, and has an IsatPhone 2 satellite phone stowed in the life raft pack, which feature GPS tracking and an emergency assistance-alert button. Catch all the latest news and social media posts in one place at our dedicated website www.inmarsat.com/vor and watch the Inmarsat-sponsored Life at the Extreme -The Inside Track Volvo Ocean Race YouTube TV show.