Volvo Ocean Race - TV Coverage

[Ducati]

The Volvo Ocean Race is over and I spent plenty of time watching the coverage on TV. Personally I thought that it was really great viewing however to the average "non-sailor" I couldn't help to think that it's pretty dry stuff. I believe that if the crew involved with producing, filming, and the broadcasting of that event took a page from those who cover Tour de France it would be more exciting for newbies to sailing. In earlier years on TV, (80's-90's) "The Tour" was tedious to view as a spectator however today they do a great job covering the sport (really up close a personal) and the Volvo race could benefit from their format of sport broadcast production.

Maybe if there was a blood doping scandal in sailing it would also add to the drama...just like they do in cycling...just kidding.

Comments?

 

[sinnettc]

You saw it on TV? Nothing here in Oregon that I saw. I did watch a couple of the post-leg 'documentaries' on YouTube and enjoyed them.

The best coverage, I thought, was mostly in the blog postings and photos that the MCM's (Media Crew Members) posted. There was some terrific photography and once they put the GoPro cameras on there was some good video too.

That said, it would be nice if there was more/better coverage of any sailing. I watched the AC45's in Newport on NBC and that was Ok. The graphics helped. More wind, flying hulls and a near-wipeout would have helped too. Get some good mayhem and the Nascar crowd will start paying attention.

ESPN ran part of the College Sailing nationals and that was ok too, but they only showed the mixed mens/womens teams. Apparently Team Racing, which is what University of Oregon was competing in, is too hard for the masses to understand. Not that I'm a Duck fan, but OSU didn't have a team this year, so it was "go ducks" in Austin.

 

[kloudie1]

I watched the whole thing on the computer and thought the coverage was fine .. I liked the new 3-D tracker feature and the inport race computer graphics. I see that the Americas Cup Challenge Series will be set for much better coverage.. Should be a lot more interesting because of the new catamarans, but they will be using some new computer graphics stuff to help with the visualization during the races. Some folks are miffed because the courses and to some extent, the boats are optimized for TV coverage, but I think that may help .. Good Stuff

 

[weinie]

It was fun to watch and track on the computer. The VOR had a pretty decent web site. The real problem, I found, and of course this will also be a problem with the AC again, is that because the teams aren't "hometown" teams, its hard to choose someone to root for and really care if they win or not. It's just too hard to feel good about having a corporate sponsor as a favorite team. I know it pays the bills, but still, there is something fundamentally wrong about saying go Telefonica!

 

[AtlanticAl]

I mind the day, when we squared away, and ran her east by south
She trampled down those big horn seas, with a roaring bone in her mouth.
The best hands twirrled the bucking wheel, and they dare not look behind.
At the growling grey beards in her wake.
Do you mind old pal, do you mind.

 

[Slow Mo^cean]

I found the eighth leg on my DVR and am recording it this Saturday. Its on some channel I've never heard of.