The Vendee Globe has clearly shown that the relationship between the solo sailor and the public has changed dramatically over the years. The solo skipper can hardly afford to set off like a hermit and be “alone at sea”.
The skipper of today has a substantial commitment to the sponsor to produce media content to promote their brand and enterprise. Some of the skippers abide, somewhat reluctantly, but a new breed of sailors is rising clearly above the rest and showing that modern solo sailing is far more than just “one boat, one man and the ocean”, it’s a case of one inspiring person and a role model in many senses, the public, and an adventure at sea.
Queen of the Vendee Globe was Sam Davis, who emerged as one of the biggest media sensation solo sailing has produced in recent years, her sense of humour, positive attitude and entertaining accounts have won the hearts of millions. So did Steve White, who in many respects was really the one that found a special place in the heart of the British public, because he had to fight twice as hard to be there, because he didn’t know whether he’d make it till the last minute, because he is a man that created the opportunity of sailing around the world on an Open 60 through his own determination. His blogs were always an excellent read and I guess very few people would not raise their hands if asked “do you admire that man?”
Modern technology, satellite links, tracking, podcasts have brought these modern heros at close reach, at the click of a button, online, 24/7 during their races. The step to a fully televised sailing Big Brother is not that far away, and it will happen, whether we like it or not, just have a look at what they’re doing in the Volvo race.
So blogSTAR has decided to be part of this new era of interaction between public and sailor by giving a voice to both.
From today you can rate the content published on blogSTAR and especially the content submitted by the OSTAR skippers that have signed up. Your rating of a story will boost the Public’s vote ranking of that skipper proportionally to your vote. In a few weeks we will announce the mechanism that will lead a skipper to winning the first prize of this kind in sailing: the blogSTAR prize for the public’s favourite skipper.
As for you, reader, we haven’t forgotten, each time you cast a vote you’ll earn a point and we will announce some prizes to be won, these will be Corinthian as the spirit of this race I am afraid but I am sure we are setting a precedent.
You will have to register so we can keep track of your points, but this only takes a sec.
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