[SatNews] The Volvo Open 70 sailing race has started and the Company's communications equipment is quite evident... The six strong Volvo Open 70 fleet started up the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 to Cape Town on November 5th) with a  full complement of Thrane & Thrane SAILOR communication systems on board. The big start followed an action packed opening week of in-port racing that saw the SAILOR domes aft of Team Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s Volvo Open 70 cross the line more than 40 minutes ahead of second place Puma Ocean Racing in the first competitive racing of this campaign. The scope of supply for the 2011-2012 race fleet includes SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband, SAILOR 150 FleetBroadband, two SAILOR mini-C systems and VHF radios. Race umpire ribs are equipped with SAILOR VHF fixed radios and organizers carry SAILOR handheld VHF radios during in-port races and the start of every leg. In addition, Volvo Ocean Race’s travelling media teams use EXPLORER 700 BGAN terminals for broadband back-up connections from various shore based spots along the race course.


The SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband will be the central communication hub for each Volvo Open 70 during the race. Its dual role will be to provide the means for navigators to download weather data, which is vital for competitive performance and for Media Crew Members (MCM) to upload race footage, reports and interviews for television and web, helping to grow support for ocean racing on a global basis. The SAILOR 6110 mini-Cs and SAILOR 150 FleetBroadband will also support the media efforts as the boat telemetry they deliver will be used to create accurate, real-time 3D models for the VOR website and broadcasting.

Thrane & Thrane is the Official Sponsor of Satellite and Radio Communications Equipment for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012. This is the third consecutive Volvo Ocean Race that the company has taken on responsibility for providing reliable satellite and radio communication systems to the cutting-edge fleet of Volvo Open 70s, race organizers and officials.