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Inmarsat announces award for the ‘toughest job in sports journalism’

Matt Knighton, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, wins prestigious Inmarsat Onboard Reporter award for the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15

Leading media professionals decided on winners based on 7 hours of video content, 315 photos and over 30,000 written words

Runners-up prizes go to Amory Ross, Team Alvimedica and Sam Greenfield, Dongfeng Race Team

Celebrating the most challenging sports journalism job in the world, the Inmarsat Onboard Reporter (OBR) award for the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 has gone to Matt Knighton of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.

After a gruelling nine months at sea, delivering video, photographs and blogs back to shore, the €20,000 cash prize and coveted trophy were presented to Knighton at the Race’s finale Gala Dinner in Gothenburg on Saturday 27 June by Inmarsat’s CEO, Rupert Pearce.

Judged on creativity, quality and story-telling, the runners-up, Amory Ross from Team Alvimedica and Sam Greenfield from Dongfeng Race Team, were also presented with their €8,000 cash prizes at the gala dinner by Rupert Pearce.

“I am delighted that the work of all nine talented OBRs, seen by a global audience of millions, has been made possible by Inmarsat’s global satellite network,” said Rupert Pearce, CEO, Inmarsat. “The journey of each team has reached us on shore for the past nine months and that would simply not be possible without our reliable, global communications network and the grit, determination and hard work of the Onboard Reporters. They have had the responsibility of documenting everything on their journey and for telling the stories of their teams while facing tremendously harsh conditions. We congratulate Matt on this phenomenal achievement and celebrate the success of Amory and Sam, and all of the Onboard Reporters, this evening.”

Inmarsat’s network made the race and the communications possible by providing each of the seven race teams with vital connectivity throughout the duration of the race. It’s through Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband 250 and FleetBroadband 500 that the Onboard Reporters were able to share every moment of the race with fans and followers at home.

Knut Frosted, CEO, Volvo Ocean Race said: “The work of the OBRs is pivotal to all communications for the race. Without them, we simply couldn’t tell the story of the sailors as they take on this incredible challenge so many miles from land. The OBRs need to be diplomats and cheerleaders for the crews, as well as multi-talented, cross-media professionals, as they share the adventure of the Volvo Ocean Race over nine, gruelling months. The quality of the content produced by the OBRs speaks for itself, reaching millions of fans and casual race followers worldwide. I congratulate Matt Knighton, Amory Ross and Sam Greenfield on their hard-earned but very well deserved success.”

Presentation of prizes at the Volvo Ocean Race’s finale Gala Dinner in Gothenburg on Saturday 27 June by Inmarsat’s CEO, Rupert Pearce. (Photo: Carlo Borlenghi)

Further information

About Inmarsat 

Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,600 staff in more than 60 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:ISAT.L). The Inmarsat press release newsfeed and corporate updates are on @InmarsatGlobal.

Jonathan Sinnatt
Director of Corporate Communications
Inmarsat
[email protected]
+44 (0)20 7728 1935

Katie Potts
Corporate Communications Manager
Inmarsat
[email protected]
+44 (0)20 7728 1492