Inmarsat is proud to be the official Satellite Communications Partner for a sixth consecutive edition of The Ocean Race – described as the longest and toughest sporting event in the world, and the ultimate test of a team and human adventure.
Utilising our 99.9% reliable global, mobile satellite L-band network, we will deliver advanced digital content capabilities, safety services and onboard connectivity for The Ocean Race 2022-23 round-the-world sailing challenge.
The competing teams will have access to breaking advancements in onboard communications and digitalisation to take full advantage of applications and value-added services.
This will not only help them to gain a racing advantage but it will also enable the Onboard Reporters to bring all the live action to fans across the globe so they can feel closer to the race than ever before.
Leg 1 of The Ocean Race commenced in Alicante, Spain on 15 January 2023 and will have visited nine international cities over a six month period by the time it finishes with a Grand Finale in Genoa, Italy on 1 July 2023.
Two dynamic classes of boats will compete: the high-tech foiling IMOCA 60 class and the one-design VO65 fleet. Each race yacht will be equipped with our reliable maritime services and satellite phone:
Inmarsat C beams back the boats’ GPS locations to race HQ every 10 seconds. This, together with our FleetBroadband voice safety services and the GPS tracking and alert functions on our satellite phone, keep the crews as safe as is possible when you are taking on the most challenging environment on Earth.
With Inmarsat services onboard, The Ocean Race crews have the best communications from boat-to-shore and shore-to-boat – to seek medical advice mid-leg, report damage so repairs could be arranged at the next stopover, or wish a desperately-missed loved one a happy birthday.
For the first time, our services will also support the real-time transfer of scientific data as The Ocean Race continues its ground-breaking and award-winning sustainability efforts.
“It is rare in sport to have a partnership that extends past 20 years, but with Inmarsat, we have a perfect fit in terms of technology and values. This new agreement will allow us to further push the boundaries with our race communications”
The VO65 - The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint will take the VO65 fleet to four cities, in three race stages: Alicante - Cabo Verde; Aarhus to The Hague; The Hague to Genova.