...direct into the homes of race followers around the world. Live video streaming is being provided by Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband 500™ service. It has brought the 2011-12 race to life through high quality live video footage direct from the race boats via the Inmarsat 4 constellation of satellites. Also onboard is a FleetBroadband 150™ for additional voice and data connectivity. As they race towards Lorient, the crews have been providing regular live broadcasts and interviews to the thousands of fans following the race online.

The FB500 and FB150 have been well used by all teams enabling them to link up with news broadcasters and they have now clocked up hundreds of live interviews from the oceans. This has given the teams and their sponsors widespread media coverage and kept them in touch with their fans. Each boat is also fitted with Inmarsat C for position reporting and to benefit from the Global Maritime Distress & Safety Service (GMDSS), which Inmarsat provides globally at no cost. The race boats also carry Inmarsat's flagship satellite phone, IsatPhone Pro, in their rescue packs.