Volvo Ocean Race - Media Crew Member Award to Camper's Hamish Hooper

by Volvo Ocean Race on 9 Dec 2011 Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand’s Hamish Hooper has been awarded the Inmarsat Media Crew Member Award for Leg 1 of the Volvo Ocean Race.

The 33-year-old New Zealander was presented with the award, sponsored by official satellite communications provider Inmarsat, for documenting life on board a Volvo Open 70 in the world’s toughest round the world race. Also shortlisted for the Leg 1 award were Groupama sailing team’s Yann Riou and Amory Ross of Puma Ocean Racing powered by Berg.

Among the highlights of Hooper’s coverage was the mid-sea surgery to bowman Mike Pammenter, who lost his front tooth and split his lip after being washed into the rigging by a wave.

'I guess I should thank Mike for this, losing his front teeth,' Hooper said, accepting the award from Frank Coles, President of Inmarsat Maritime.

'I was there to film it and Stu Bannatyne said, ‘Get out of sight before you pass out!’ but I managed to do it. I’m loving the job.'

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

'Who can fail to be impressed by the videos?' said Inmarsat’s Coles. 'I had the honour to be shown around one of the boats and see the space in which those MCMs work. It’s pretty amazing what they manage to achieve in these conditions. We at Inmarsat are very proud to be involved and to be presenting this award and also to be providing the essential connection from boat to shore so people can watch all the action of the Volvo Ocean Race at home.'

Hooper, a cameraman by trade, has a background in making TV commercials and advertising, but in a twist of fate, he found himself involved in sailing television work. With his change of direction, Hooper began filming sailing events and has worked alongside teams ever since.

On board Camper in his Volvo Ocean Race debut, Hooper’s job is to deliver the full multimedia story of what happens on a daily basis. The Media Crew Members do not help out sailing the boat, with race rules dictating that the only other functions they are allowed to perform are cooking and cleaning.

Volvo Ocean Race website