Short, sharp, and intense
The in-port racing during this edition of the Volvo Ocean Race is sure to be among the highlights of the entire event. This is the closest that spectators can get to the action without actually being on board one of the race boats.
The in-port race is a critical component of the Volvo Ocean Race. Not only do the in-port races award 20% of the total race points on offer, but they are an integral part of the spectacle of the race. This is when the public can see man and machine engage in battle in very close quarters. The race course for the in-port race is always close to shore, so even if you can’t get out on a spectator boat, the nearest beach or breakwater may offer just as good a view.
The race course is very short, ensuring close-quarters, intense action. It’s a traditional windward-leeward course, but with a twist - it’s ‘pinched’ in the middle, with a gate the teams must pass through as they make their way up and down the race course. This enhances the closeness of the racing, and allows the spectators to get a better look.
See the in-port race live!
The in-port race may be televised live on certain local channels, but will always be broadcast live on www.volvooceanrace.tv. Each boat will have an onboard camera crew as well as the fixed cameras running to record all the action onboard. In addition we will have helicopters following the fleet from above as well as RIBs in the middle of the fleet. Virtual Spectator will provide 2D and 3D graphics, so you can also monitor the in-port race from any angle you like and clearly see who is ahead. This will be as close as you can get to the real racing.
How does it work?
The start
Winning the start is essential in an in-port race. As these races are less than hour long, you have very little time to recover from a poor start. The sailors will do their best to be the first off the starting line, as the gun fires. Being at the tactically favoured end of the line is crucial too. But there is only one ‘best’ place to start, so look for aggressive jockeying for position ahead of the start. In fact, this fight for position in the final minutes before the start can be one of the most fascinating moments of these races. The rules apply from the 5-minute gun, and from then on, you are free to use them to your advantage. Teams will attempt to ‘squeeze’ out their competition forcing them into a poor start, or even pushing them onto the wrong side of the starting line. A boat starting early will have to return to the other side of the line, or if many of the boats in the fleet are early, the Race Committee will make a General Recall to re-start the entire fleet. A team starting early in the subsequent start may be disqualified from the race.
The start sequence is 10 minute warning (sound signal) - 5 minutes preparatory (sound signal) - 1 minute (sound signal) – START
Scoring
When the weather conditions allow for good racing, the Race Committee may run up to two in-port races during the day.
Scoring for each in-port race:
First place - 4.0 points
Second place - 3.5 points
Third place - 3.0 points
Fourth place - 2.5 points
Fifth place - 2.0 points
Sixth place - 1.5 points
Seventh place - 1.0 points
Eighth place - 0.5 points
The winner of the day is the team with the highest accumulated point score. If there are two races and two teams end up on equal points, the team with the highest score in the second race of the day is placed higher.
For the overall score in the Volvo Ocean Race, the winner of the in-port race day (whether it comprises one or two races) is awarded 4 points, second place 3.5 points and so on.
This means that each in-port race counts half as much as an offshore leg. In total the in-port races make up for 20% of the total points you can score in the race.
In-port race crew
For the in-port race the teams are allowed to add two additional crew members compared to the offshore legs. In most cases, teams will add one specialist in-shore tactician and one big, strong grinder to assist working the winch systems. The in-port races require more and faster manoeuvres and therefore it's helpful to have an extra pair of strong hands. The tactician's role is to position the boat on the race course and instruct the helmsman where to steer and when to make a manoeuvre. Out of the 13 crew members 10 are required to be onboard for either the previous or the next offshore leg, so in total each team is allowed just three crew members who are only there for that in-port race. And among the 13 crew is one media crew member who is filming and transmitting video ashore.
Download latest in-port race sailing instructions