#VOR - It's been a whirlwind few weeks for Team Vestas Wind, the seventh and final entry in the next Volvo Ocean Race, which sets sail around the world in just 18 days' time.
And it's been no less hectic for the team's onboard reporter, experienced Irish sailing photographer and filmmaker (and frequent Afloat contributor) Brian Carlin, who writes here about his surprising selection for the race's 'dark horse' team and recent Leg 0 winners...
It was something I really wanted and the opportunity came. I had applied just like the other 2,500 people in February 2012 for a job as onboard reporter for the Volvo Ocean Race. It doesn't come bigger and better than this.
I patiently waited for almost 18 months with little to no news on my progress only to say I made it into the top 5% of candidates. It's not just about being good at your job (photos, filming, writing), it's important that you can are motivated to work the toughest job on the planet (as it was described by VOR, and I can confirm it's far from easy). It' about being good with people, too. You need the right attitude.
Pretty much out of the blue it all unfolded. I had a call from Chris Nicholson mid July to see if I was interesting in joining his late entry team. I think I might have said "Of course" before he finished asking the question. I was one of four onboard reporters he was interviewing. One Skype call later, and interview complete. I had to wait four days for a reply. I got the reply: a thumbs up from the skipper.
The team was being selected. I had to keep it quiet; not easy at all. I had little time, in fact I recall having to sort my entire life out in six days before I was flying to Southampton to start work with Team Vestas Wind.
We had at least three weeks in Green Marine, Southampton. We put the boat together, started the gym programme (I was so far from being fit) and I began to get my head around the fact I was sailing around the world in the most extreme race there is with the best off-shore sailors you can find on this planet. I was too busy to stop and process it all. Not an overwhelming feeling my any means; I had a lot on and a lot to do.
We did some testing on the Solent and had a photo shoot with the helicopter and TV from Volvo. It was then on 31 August when we docked out for the last time in UK waters. VOR had set a minimum 2,000-mile qualifier for all teams. We sailed into Alicante on 8 September just in time for the cut-off window.
It was a nice change from rain to sun. We didn't have much time off, really; it was a case of getting ourselves and the boat ready for Leg 0, the trail test and practice for the race start. I had all my comms checks, onboard live feeds, etc. The 470-mile round trip from Alicante to Palma, Majorca took us under two days. It was fast and pretty damn hot below decks.
Now I'm sitting in the team base where this morning we took the boat out of the water for a mandatory period of 14 days. This time will be spent doing fleet-wide changes and tweaks. All the boats will have new generation cameras fitted also.
So for now I have a couple of days off. I plan on sleeping as much as I can. It will be later this week that I start prepping 24 days' worth of food and getting my camera cleaned and serviced. The race is coming around so fast. I wish I had more time.
Still looking for the time to process. I'm about to do the world's most extreme yacht race. It's still not sinking in. Maybe it's a good thing.
