Volvo Ocean Race- Dongfeng release first DroneCam video from Leg 3
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com on 27 Jan 2015
January, 2015. Leg 3 onboard Dongfeng Race Team. J Sam Greenfield / Volvo Ocean Race
Winner of Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race, Dongfeng, have released footage taken from a drone launched from the Volvo Ocean Race yacht, as she sails in light airs on the last days of Leg 3 of the race.
It is believed to be the first time a drone, launched from a competitor, has been used in a major ocean race.
Although taken in light airs (with Dongfeng making good speed to windward or close reaching), the drone checks out a nearby ship, before giving an aerial tour of of Dongfeng.
Dongfeng skipper Charles Caudrelier wrote in his blog on the penultimate day of racing in Leg 3: 'Even if we crossed the shipping crossroads of the world off Singapore, we hadn’t passed close to a Maersk Line ship, one of our partners. Two hours ago a blue container ship passed just behind us, obviously a Maersk!'
'Sam our media man launched his drone, and we have some amazing images of Dongfeng and this ship together from off the boat. These drones are just fantastic.'
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/131051