The Vendée Globe Race is dubbed the ‘Everest of the ocean,’ with satellite comms and network provider SpeedCast providing its two-way secure satcomms and broadcast services to 90% of the race’s competitors.
SpeedCast International, one of the ‘leading global satellite communications and network service providers’, has provided its two-way secured satellite communication and broadcast services to over 90% of competitors in this years’ Vendée Globe Race.
The race is dubbed as ‘one of the toughest sailing events in the world’, with SpeedCast proudly boasting it is ‘the number one provider of satellite services for this huge sporting event.’
The eighth Vendée Globe Race started yesterday at Les Sables d’Olonne, France, and is ‘the only non-stop solo race around the world without assistance.’
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This year’s event will see 29 skippers representing four continents and ten nations setting sail on IMOCA 60s in pursuit of beating François Gabart’s record time of 78 days, 2 hours and 16 minutes set in the 2012-13 race.
SpeedCast boasts that its ‘innovative media transmission solution and value added services have been installed on 27 out of 29 competing vessels, in order to benefit from live-streaming capabilities, monitoring and connectivity.’
Bruno Gicquel, the MSS Maritime Director at SpeedCast said: “When the race first began 27 years ago, we would never have imagined it would be possible to broadcast live from the ocean in such challenging conditions.
“Today, the advances in technology coupled with the unprecedented demand for high-quality, real-time media content have made this possible. Using our world class satellite communications solution, coupled with the SpeedCast Clipway technology, developed by SpeedCast’s R&D team, we have created an innovative offering that is enabling us to meet this unprecedented demand.”
The aforementioned SpeedCast Clipway (PDF link) will ‘play a big role as the solution will allow the Race Headquarters, family members and the general audience to watch the race in real time. Clipway can store, forward and livestream broadcast quality video and can accept all broadcasting formats, including HD, SDI and GoPro, which differentiates it from competing technologies.’
Piers Cunningham, the Vice President of Maritime Services at SpeedCast commented: “To be able to provide our satellite communication solutions to so many competitors at this incredibly challenging event is a great accolade for us at SpeedCast and is a testament to the breadth of product offerings we have in the Maritime industry.”
