ICT activity - October

The Volvo Ocean Race is a yacht race around the world, held every three years. Originally named after its initiating sponsor, British Whitebread brewing company, it today carries the name of its current sponsor, Swedish automobile manufacturer Volvo. Presently, the Netherlands holds the record of three wins.

Though the route is changed to accommodate various ports of call, the race typically departs Europe in October, and in recent editions has had either 9 or 10 legs, with in-port races at many of the stopover cities.

Each of the entries has a sailing team of 9 professional crew who race day and night for more than 20 days at a time on some of the legs. They each have different jobs on board the boat, and on top of these sailing roles, there are two sailors that have had medical training, as well as a sailmaker, an engineer and a dedicated media crew member.

No fresh food is taken on board, so the crew lives off freeze-dried fare; they will experience temperature variations from -5 to +40 degrees Celsius and will only take one change of clothes.

For further info go to www.volvooceanrace.com