Volvo Ocean Race Leg 4 Inmarsat MCM Award top three

by Volvo Ocean Race on 12 Mar 2012 Volvo Ocean Race fourth leg, from Sanya to Auckland, was one of the most closely fought and dramatic of legs in race’s 39-year-history and gave judges for the Inmarsat MCM Award their biggest challenge of the 2011-12 edition.

A team of expert judges from Inmarsat and the event’s communications team had the toughest of tasks in deciding the 1-2-3 podium finishers for leg four.

The message was clear: all six of the Media Crew Members had once again lifted the bar to ensure our ever-growing fan base was treated to an unprecedented standard of media content across video, audio, stills pictures and text.

After taking into account the material from the 20-day leg of drama-packed racing from Sanya, China, right to the finish line in Auckland, the judges finally decided on their top three.

The trio are all previous winners of an award which is not only highly coveted by the MCMs but also very closely watched by the crews they support.

They are, in no particular order: Leg 3 winner Amory Ross (Puma Ocean Racing powered by Berg), Hamish Hooper (Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand) who took the first leg award and Yann Riou (Groupama Sailing Team), victor for the second leg from Cape Town to Abu Dhabi.

For the first time, the judges also issued a special commendation for the stunning work of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s Nick Dana, who was very close to winning a nomination.

'Ninety three seconds after 6000 miles, the margin between third and fourth place (Team Telefónica and Camper) into Auckland on Sunday sums up the brilliance of the Volvo Ocean Race,' said Chris McLaughlin, vice-president of External Affairs and one of the award's chief judges.

'The MCMs are bringing home this story to millions of fans. And this Inmarsat MCM leg prize was just as close. The three nominees reflect the quality and effort of all six.

'We have been captivated by their stories and moved by their crews' highs and lows. We congratulate them all. There is a long way to go before the overall prize is presented in Galway.'

Inmarsat is the Race’s technology partner along with Thrane and Thrane, ensuring the compelling live media content from the boats reaches our fans.

The FleetBroadband units fitted to each of the six Volvo Open 70s allow racers to communicate via a satellite system with the outside world from the world’s oceans, giving fans access to blogs, photographs, audio clips and HD video footage.

Check out the raw content filed by the MCMs here at new livestream. The individual team pages can be found at - Puma, Camper, Groupama, Abu Dhabi, Telefónica and Sanya.

www.volvooceanrace.com" target="_blank">Volvo Ocean Race website