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Dongfeng Race Team win closest Volvo Ocean Race in history

by Mark Jardine 24 Jun 2018 20:00 BST 24 June 2018
Dongfeng Race Team win the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 © Pedro Martinez / Volvo Ocean Race

While England demolished Panama in the football, there was an inevitability watching Dongfeng Race Team claw past their rivals on the Volvo Ocean Race tracker to win the 2017-18 edition overall. Their brave choice to go inshore of the shipping exclusion zone, while their two rivals for the overall title went offshore, proved decisive. They had the courage to trust their navigation and boy did it pay off.

Dongfeng Race Team's inshore route on the right to secure the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 trophy - photo © Volvo Ocean Race
Dongfeng Race Team's inshore route on the right to secure the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 trophy - photo © Volvo Ocean Race

This Volvo Ocean Race has been the closest yet and thrilling to watch. The one-design yachts, combined with state-of-the-art video and photos using drones and the latest communication technology, have brought the race on to our screens like never before.

The football has overshadowed this amazing finish and many outside the sailing world are unaware it is even happening, let alone that it has witnessed the closest race in its history. Seasoned sailors have been glued to the trackers and the live coverage but the race, and sailing in general, needs to reconnect with those who don't participate in the sport.

Dongfeng - Leg 11, from Gothenburg to The Hague, day 03. Heli LIVE as the fleet blast south, eyes set on The Hague. 23 June, . - photo © Ainhoa Sanchez / Volvo Ocean Race
Dongfeng - Leg 11, from Gothenburg to The Hague, day 03. Heli LIVE as the fleet blast south, eyes set on The Hague. 23 June, . - photo © Ainhoa Sanchez / Volvo Ocean Race

Now though is the time to celebrate the achievement of the Chinese team on Dongfeng Race Team and French skipper Charles Caudrelier. They have found consistency over the last nine months and their win in the final leg into The Hague has capped a superb campaign. We'll talk further on ideas for widening the attraction of the next edition of the race, combined with our drive to increase participation in sailing itself.

Next up for offshore sailing addicts is the Golden Globe Race, set to start from Les Sables d'Olonne on 1st July. The French seaside town, famous as the Vendee Globe start and finish venue, is renowned for giving offshore sailors a warm send-off and the French public will empathise strongly with the intrepid single-handed sailors recreating the original Golden Globe Race fifty years ago.

Golden Globe Race skippers congregate in Les Sables d'Olonne - photo © Christophe Favreau / PPL / GGR
Golden Globe Race skippers congregate in Les Sables d'Olonne - photo © Christophe Favreau / PPL / GGR

Elsewhere we have news from a plethora of events including Kieler Woche, the giants of the sea racing in The Superyacht Cup Palma, the Quarter Ton Cup in Cowes and the 52 Super Series in Croatia.

Velsheda stormed around the course to take the overall Superyacht Cup trophy - photo © Claire Matches / www.clairematches.com
Velsheda stormed around the course to take the overall Superyacht Cup trophy - photo © Claire Matches / www.clairematches.com

We've also just published James Sainsbury's latest home-build foiling Moth blog, this time featuring his innovative mainsheet system.

Valkyrie's innovative kicker and mainsheet system - photo © James Sainsbury
Valkyrie's innovative kicker and mainsheet system - photo © James Sainsbury

During the week we'll have all the news from the weekend's events as always, where dinghy sailors will have taken advantage of the superb sunshine we're having so far in 2018, albeit we could do with a bit more breeze at times.

Until next time, whatever you're doing on the water, remember to always have fun!

Mark Jardine, YachtsandYachting.com

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