Global Ocean Race - Virtual Race prizes revealed

by Oliver Dewar on 22 Sep 2011 The Global Ocean Race 2011-12 fleet of six double-handed Class40 teams will set off from Palma Mallorca headed from Cape Town, South Africa for Leg 1 on the 25 September at :00 local (12:00 GMT).

The GOR teams will spend around 37 days and slightly under 7,000 miles in the Mediterranean and the North and South Atlantic. The GOR’s Virtual Race, provided by United Games, will follow the same route as the GOR fleet for Leg 1 and will continue around the planet for the remaining four legs and 22,000 miles over a period of nine months for the duration of the GOR.

The GOR can now confirm the prizes for the event’s virtual race including a VIP day sailing on Alex Thomson’s IMOCA Open 60, Hugo Boss; a top-of-the-range Garmin 4012 chartplotter; Navy Seal watches from the GOR’s Official Timekeeper, Luminox; GOR Special Edition Bollé sunglasses and limited edition Alex Thomson Racing (ATR) – Hugo Boss souvenir books Hugo Boss GBR99, plus ATR ‘goody bags’.

The GOR Virtual Race simulates racing a boat along the same route and in the same weather conditions as the actual Class40 boats racing in the GOR. The game’s software replicates the performance of the real boats and the virtual boats experience the same wind conditions and weather forecast predictions as the real boats out on the ocean. GOR Virtual Race players have the chance to match their tactical skills against the real teams and other virtual players.

It is extremely compelling, whether you are an experienced sailor, or a total novice, and you don’t have to put up with the numbing cold, the searing heat and the freeze dried food that the real teams will be experiencing. In addition, as the game is available on iPhone and Android platforms, gamers can play on the move and are never out of touch with their virtual team. Players can buy performance enhancing extras – racing sails, autopilots, crew energy levels – that will give you an edge over the competition.

Proceeds from the purchase of these extras will go to the GOR’s Official Charity, the Global Vision Sailing Trust, an important charity created to introduce under-privileged young people to sailing and its core values via a global dinghy sailing programme. Sign-up for a round-the-world vitual adventure here.

Global Ocean Race 2011-12 Virtual Race Prizes:

Overall Virtual Race podium prizes for the complete circumnavigation:

1st place: One VIP day sailing on Alex Thomson’s IMOCA Open 60 Hugo Boss in Europe. Donated by Alex Thomson Racing.

2nd place: One Garmin GPS Map 4012 large screen (12'/30.7cm) chartplotter. Donated by GOR co-sponsor Garmin

3rd place: Two Luminox watches: Original Navy SEAL 3,000 Series. Donated by GOR Official Timekeeper Luminox

Virtual Race podium prizes for Legs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5:

1st place: Limited edition, Alex Thomson Racing (ATR) – Hugo Boss GBR99 limited edition souvenir book plus ATR ‘goody bag’

2nd place: One Luminox Original Navy SEAL 3,000 Series watch. Donated by GOR Official Timekeeper Luminox

3rd place: Two pairs of Bollé limited edition Global Ocean Race-branded sunglasses

Global Ocean Race website