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Volvo Ocean Race: Newport Stopover - Anyone Going?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Kevin, Mar 7, 2015.

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  1. Kevin, Mar 7, 2015
    #1
    Kevin

    Kevin YF Moderator

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    I know I'm not the only sailboat enthusiast around here, so I'm just putting this out there...

    I've always wanted to visit a VOR stopover port, see the in-port race, watch the leg start, etc... but for one reason or another it's never worked out. (Isn't that always the case?) :rolleyes: This year, no more putting things off for me. I started looking at flights down to RI for the weekend, but I realized it's actually quicker, door to door, for me to just drive down.

    http://www.volvooceanracenewport.com/en/home.html

    I don't know anything about Newport... except obviously hotels in town are out of the question. LOL Two months and a bit before the event? Never gonna' find a room. I wonder how far I'll have to drive to sleep? No matter...

    Apparently the in-port race is going to be held within site of the shore in the same area where the America's Cup races were held for decades. Sounds decent.... don't even need a boat to be able to spectate. (Not sure about the start of the Leg from Newport to Lisbon.)

    In any case, any other YFers interested in going? Would be a great meet-up opportunity.
  2. AlfredZ, Mar 7, 2015
    #2
    AlfredZ

    AlfredZ Senior Member

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    Would love to make it to the event day too. Stuck in bed for the time being! Lots of time until May tough! :)

    A tight schedule ahead of the teams and a long run before reaching Newport, also the rejoin of team Vestas should be interesting.

    All in-ports are close to shore but the grid itself plays a great deal of how you will see anything and how good you'll make out what you're seeing. Nothing like watching such a race from right on the water, so try to make friends with someone with a boat or pack an inflatable in your suitcase! ;)

    Cheers
  3. K1W1, Mar 8, 2015
    #3
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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  4. Kevin, Mar 8, 2015
    #4
    Kevin

    Kevin YF Moderator

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    Yeah I'll bet... I'd imagine the VOR would have some sort of spectator boats in operation. Definitely something to look into closer to the dates. Watching the boats going around the marks on Saturday wouldn't be so bad from the shore... but seeing the start of the transatlantic leg from a vantage point on the water would be the way to go.

    Actually, what we really need is @CaptTom there with his cameras. :D
  5. AlfredZ, Mar 8, 2015
    #5
    AlfredZ

    AlfredZ Senior Member

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    You said it all! Up the size of the inflatable and throw cap Tom a line to join! :D

    If you have noticed, team SCA always had the biggest spectator boats and largest crowd, so if you don't mind doing the moral obligation of supporting feminism, then wear the pink and violet T and join them! ;) Maybe if you go to all teams websites and see what is the latest competition to be the carry-on passenger and enjoy the ride and dunk. ;)

    Cheers.
  6. Kevin, Mar 12, 2015
    #6
    Kevin

    Kevin YF Moderator

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    If my wife decides to come it'll be the perfect excuse to get on the SCA bandwagon.

    As for spectator boats... tics went on sale this Monday, and they're already sold out for the Saturday. :rolleyes:
  7. Kevin, Mar 13, 2015
    #7
    Kevin

    Kevin YF Moderator

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    The Auckland in-port race is streaming live: