While some ‘old’ media struggle with the emergence of digital platforms, Radio is not one of them. In fact, as broadband becomes more widespread, and radio stations can broadcast via the internet to larger audiences than ever before, audio is more important than ever as part of the suite of tools that sports rights holders have to communicate with fans and to promote sponsors.

Unlike visual media, which requires eyeballs to be focused on a screen, radio can be consumed while doing other things. Radio also allows the provision of live commentary for spectators at an event, which makes the fan experience completely different to watching it without.

The Volvo Ocean Race, which has always had a holistic view of media has appointed USP Content as the official radio provider to the next edition of the race, which starts on 29 October in Alicante, Spain.

USP will provide live and pre-recorded audio coverage for the entirety of the race directly from Race Headquarters in Alicante, ports of call en route and from on board the boats themselves. Hundreds of radio stations across the continents are being accredited to update millions of listeners on the latest news, conditions and race standings – in multiple languages reflecting the diversity of nationalities taking part in the Race.

Adam Binns, Director of Radio & Television for the Volvo Ocean Race said:

“We are delighted to be working with USP Content – a company with an outstanding track record in the field of sports broadcasting. In 1973-74 we had a weekly phone call to the fleet. Now our Race will be consumed when the listener wants, on all kinds of devices so it is essential we work with someone whose experience in live commentary, traditional radio and digital audio streams is unrivaled.”

USP Content also provides the back-end for BBC Radio 5 Live’s Formula 1 coverage, producing live, pre-recorded programmes and podcasts for the entire race calendar. The company’s portfolio of sports broadcasting includes NFL, Major League Baseball and Premier League football.

Rob Jones, Managing Director of USP Content said:

“Obviously I am delighted to be aboard such a prestigious project. We have devised a very sophisticated and comprehensive broadcast plan which will ensure many millions of people around the world will be able to ride every single wave!”

More Volvo Ocean Race News

The Football World Cup Isn’t the Only Major Event In Town.

Yesterday, FIFA announced that the 2018 Football World Cup will be hosted by Qatar. Hosting the event is seen as being a way of generating tourism and other economic benefits as well as providing the catalyst to build infrastructure. While the UK , US and Australia spent large budgets to bid for the Cup, it was awarded to Qatar. Not all cities have the resources to bid for the World Cup or the Olympics, but the benefits delivered by major sporting events can be great, even if that event is on a smaller scale.

While the UK has been focussed on the Olympics and the World Cup, events like the Volvo Ocean Race have been wooed by countries and cities who aggressively want to use the platform of such a yacht race to grow cities like Alicante over the long term. Spain is one of those countries that believes in the power of sailing to build upon cultural traditions and create economic benefits. Valencia hosted a very successful America’s Cup in 2007, the Barcelona World Race is designed specifically to promote the city.

The Volvo Ocean Race begun in Alicante in 2008-2009 and the organisation of the race has also been moved from Southampton in the UK to Alicante as part of a long term partnership with between the event and the city.

But why is Alicante so convinced in the benefits of such a commercial sporting partnership. Vice President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Gerardo Camps has spoken to race organisers to discuss the motivations behind attracting and retaining such an event.

The Volvo Ocean Race will be based in Alicante for the next three editions. How do you think this city and the region of Valencia will benefit from the race, both in the short term and in the long term?

In the last edition, it was already proven that the departure of an international regatta with such wide scope as the Volvo Ocean Race from Alicante, benefited the citizens of Alicante and the whole Region; it manifested that the Region of Valencia is a region that is capable of organising global events successfully; and it promoted the city from September 2008 all throughout June 2009, the date when the fleet finally arrived in Saint Petersburg. The economic impact of the event stood at over 80 million Euros.

The fact that Alicante has been chosen as the Headquarters of the race organisation and that it will host the departure of the 2011, 2014 and 2017 editions will naturally increase the positive effects for the citizens.

How do you think the Volvo Ocean Race will help the economies of Alicante and the Generalitat Valenciana?

As with other events that the Council of the Generalitat Valenciana (Consell) supports and stimulates, the Volvo Ocean Race has become an economic motor that embraces several sectors: tourism, catering trade, transport, infrastructures and industry.

The great projects and events run by the Council of the Generalitat Valenciana (Consell), have received more than 64.3 million visits since they were set up, generating an economic impact of approximately 9,100 million Euros and have made possible the creation and presentation of 268,000 cumulative employments in the Region of Valencia.

And with regard to the Volvo Ocean Race, the development of the event does not require any expenditure for the Treasury, thanks to the participating sponsors that have been attracted by the tax exemption. The economic and social profitability of this celebration is unquestionable.

You have to remember that during the start of the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race, 1,500 direct and indirect jobs were created, the hotel nights in the city increased 15%, part of the port’s facade was remodelled, and docks 10, 12, 14 and the Old Maritime Station were accommodated. All of this led, as I said before, to an economic impact of 80 million Euros.

Apart from hosting the start of the Volvo Ocean Race, Alicante is also the headquarters of the organisation and that means, as the President of the Generalitat said last July during the inauguration of the permanent offices, that an international company has come to the Region of Valencia to put down roots and generate wealth and opportunities.

How will the GVA use the Volvo Ocean Race to promote the region?

The Generalitat Valenciana is aware that tourism is one of the big economic activities in our region, and in this way, the Volvo Ocean Race is a milestone that assures an excellent image campaign. The celebration of the race registered almost 2,000 million cumulative viewers and practically one million people visited Alicante during the 23 days of the Race Village.

Also, the Region of Valencia was present in different stopovers on the route like China, USA and Sweden, thanks to the program Start Region, in which it had its own slot. This meant that the diffused image of the Region of Valencia was not only linked to tourism, but it was also viewed as an ideal place to establish companies and businesses.

What did you think of the Alicante In-Port Race as a way for the local public to view the racing up close and personal?

The In-port Race is a magnificent idea so that the public can see the Volvo Open 70s spectacle from land. Once the race has started, for obvious reasons, we can only get images through the television; and that’s why the In-port race is a great opportunity to bring the event closer to the audience and promote the city of Alicante. Spending the day on the beach, while watching the toughest sailing boats on the planet compete on the horizon, is without a doubt a privilege for anybody from Alicante or visiting the city.

What did you think of the new Volvo Ocean Race headquarters in the Port of Alicante, when you officially opened it earlier this summer?

The Old Maritime Station has been transformed into a modern headquarters from where the race can be tracked in any part of the ocean and where the journalists, sailors, fans, guests and of course the staff, can be accommodated. Having this infrastructure, hosting three starts of the Volvo Ocean Race and being chosen as the headquarters of the organisation, contribute to making Alicante the world’s capital of sailing.

The Volvo Ocean Race, the teams and host cities involved have raised jointly over 210 million Euros in this economic climate. How do you think this will help the profile of the race and the city of Alicante?

We’re going through a nationwide and international economic crisis, and in these times, obtaining financing and private sponsors is complicated. But the Council of the Generalitat Valenciana (Consell) achieved it in the last edition, and is already looking to find sponsors that will again guarantee there will be no cost. The fact that the whole project has collected such an amount of money is a sign that the Volvo Ocean Race is the perfect platform for social, economic, touristic and sport promotion.

There will be an interactive museum next to the race headquarters in Alicante. How do you think this will help the local economy and excite the local public?

Alicante will have one of the few museums in the world that are dedicated exclusively to transoceanic sailing, with the hallmark of a legendary competition. Apart from all the economic and social benefits, we would like the Volvo Ocean Race to have an educational and cultural aspect. In this sense, the Interactive Museum, conceived and designed for fans, school groups, families and general public, contributes in the making of the Volvo Ocean Race as a global project.

Day 2 of the World Yacht Racing Forum will feature a session on “How are major cities and venues benefitting from hosting sailing events?”.

More Volvo Ocean Race News

The Volvo Ocean Race has become one of the most professionally organised and successful yacht racing events in the world, but the commercialisation of the race has not pleased everyone. There will always be some who like to get nostalgic about the past and reminisce about how it was better when it was ‘The Whitbread’.

When the Volvo Ocean Race moved from the UK to Alicante this year, there was a sense that the Spanish city had a more visionary idea about how the Race could fit into the fabric of a community. Recognising the importance of the event’s past, organisers and the city that will host the start of the next race, have announced a Volvo Ocean Race Legends Regatta.

The event will bring together competitors and yachts from the 37-year history of the race in the first ever official reunion. The Volvo Ocean Race Legends Regatta will slot between the Alicante In-Port Race and the Pro-Am Race the previous weekend and the start of leg one on Saturday 5 November with a full Legends racing schedule.

The announcement was made at the official inauguration of the Volvo Ocean Race Headquarters by the President of the Generalitat Valenciana, President Francisco Camps. He said:

“This is another example of how the Volvo Ocean Race will provide entertainment for the local people of Alicante and the Valencian region and will help attract even more Spanish and international tourists.”

Many well-known competitors from the 10 previous races are looking forward to the event next year.

“Count me in,” – Skip Novak, whose history includes skippering rock star Simon Le Bon’s entry Drum in the 1985-86 race, and putting together the first Russian entry, Fazisi in 1989-90.

“It sounds great. Count on me.” – Magnus Olsson, a six-race veteran will certainly be there.

“It sounds exciting. Lovely idea and looking forward to it,” – Kiwi race winner Mike Sanderson.

“Great, I’ll be there,” – former winner Grant Dalton, who will also have his Volvo Open 70 Camper on the start line for the 11th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.

More Volvo Ocean Race News...

Ken Read, skipper of PUMA Ocean Racing has announced his core crew and management team for the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012. The team is leaving Alicante, Spain to bring il mostro, PUMA Ocean Racing’s boat that secured a 2nd place finish in the last Volvo Ocean Race, back to Newport, Rhode Island where the team will immediately start training for the next race. il mostro will serve as the team’s training boat until a new boat, which will compete in the 2011-12 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, is completed.

PUMA has named Juan Yacht Design, of Valencia, Spain as the lead boat designer of the new PUMA Ocean Racing yacht. Juan Kouyoumdjian’s designs have a perfect record in the VOR since the inception of the Volvo Open 70 Rule. They are credited with designing the 2006 VOR winner, ABN AMRO 1 and the 2009 VOR winner, Ericsson 4.

Ken read said:

“The decision to go with Juan to design PUMA’s new boat was a major step forward for the program, and set in motion a number of key hires that have formed the nucleus of the team.”

Two new key members of the team include multiple Volvo Ocean Race winners, Brad Jackson and Tony Mutter. Each sailor was integral to the winning teams in both the 2006 and 2009 races.

Jackson is a three-time winner of the VOR and will serve as design coordinator for PUMA Ocean Racing, mixing the sailing team’s input with Juan Kouyoumdjian’s creative and technical expertise.

Mutter is a two-time VOR winner and will run the aero program, working closely with Steve Calder of North Sails and mast designer, Scott Ferguson.

While sailing, Tony and Brad will also serve as watch captains. Returning from PUMA’s 2009 campaign is bowman and systems manager Casey Smith.

“When the boat breaks offshore Casey has to fix it, so having him be part of design process with the build team early on will save us a lot with durability down the road,” explained Read. Rob Greenhalgh also rejoins the PUMA crew after being a late but welcomed addition in the last race. Returning shore-team members include: Kimo Worthington, General Manager, and Tim Hacket, who will serve as the Shore Team Manager.

New sailing team members include navigator Tom Addis (Telefonica Blue Co-Navigator), Jono Swain (Telefonica Blue watch captain) and Andrew Lewis (Rambler trimmer and ABN AMRO 2 tactician).

“The decisions we make now are the ones that will create success in this race, and having this team of veterans involved early certainly increases our chances to make proper decisions,” said Read of the team assembled so far. “Not only do we have a team that can sail a boat fast, but we have a team that understands what it takes to compete in a race like the Volvo. Great attitudes, great skills, which hopefully increases our chances for success.”

Cumulatively, the management and sailing team for PUMA Ocean Racing shares a level of success difficult to match with 20 Volvo Ocean Race entries and 14 America’s Cup editions. Collectively, the core team holds eight 24-hour mono hull speed records. PUMA will also be the official supplier of all Volvo Ocean Race merchandise.

Sports Tourism is going to be big. You might think that sports tourism is quite big now, but in fact, despite the number of room nights and the value of resturant bills that can be attributed to fans visiting a destination to watch their favourite team or partake in the atmosphere of a major event, the sector hasn’t really been taken very seriously.

While some governments around the world realise the importance of attracting major events to their destinations, there is a disconnect between the marketing and the delivery via tourism businesses. Some governments though are more savvy than others. This site has many examples of major sailing events being used to drive the tourism economies of places like Oman, Andalucia or the Vendee Region of France.

The stakes are high and the destinations that are willing to invest heavily over long periods of time will win out. Take the relocation of the Volvo Ocean Race to Alicante for example… the following is an article from the Volvo Ocean Race website:

‘La Volvo’ had arrived before it even set up its new permanent home on the Mediterranean coast of Spain in Alicante.

In what turned out to be a kid of trial marriage, the start of the 2008-09 race proved to be an instant success with the locals who immediately gave a name to the teams, the boats and the race management.

They called it simply ‘La Volvo’ and the name stuck even when the race was not there, or other events ranging from regattas like the TP52 circuit, or pop concerts, or even horse shows.

After over a decade being housed in Whiteley, just off the M27 motorway running between Southampton and Portsmouth on England’s south coast, what was always a global race is changing culture, and location.

The migration south has been a highly-complex plan involving the race organisation, the city of Alicante and the regional government of Valencia.

Put simply, the race not only has a third consecutive start port in Spain, the whole management of the race, including the all-important operations room, which maintains 24-hour contact with the fleet when it is at sea, is moving home.

The development means a permanent new facet to the waterfront heart of the city, and that has to fit into the plan for the region of Valencia.

The third constituent of the complex is the development of a museum and interactive exhibition centre, which should be a major new tourist attraction in its own right.

In addition, the side of the marina, which was the pre-start pit lane in 2008, will now be available as permanent homes for the teams pre- 2011.

Co-ordinating the move for what will also change from Volvo Event Management UK to Volvo Ocean Race, S.L.U. meant ensuring continuity of all race operations up until 28 November when the previous HQ was returned to the landlords.

One of the advantages for the race has been the close links with the logistical knowledge bank of Volvo’s world base in Sweden and the long-standing presence and business knowledge of Volvo Cars and the truck and bus businesses in Spain.

The big emergency generator on the Whiteley site is unlikely to be put on the back of a removal lorry. And the number of people has gone from a race-on-tour high of up to 80 down to a tickover – even if that tickover rate is still about 10,000 revs a minute – before building back up.

But the four rigid inflatables will travel with the team along with the former Pirates of the Caribbean Volvo Open 70, which, for the time being, will be on permanent display. There will also be the move of the three television edit suites and the radio production room.

What will change will be the whole style in which a safety-based, technology-driven race management organisation draws in the general public.

One of the features of the 2008-09 race start was the number of people who extended their evening and weekend strolls, el paseo, down to the village, the family occasion it became, the school party destination that was so popular.

AYRE Challenge has presented its project to take part in the next three editions of the Volvo Ocean Race, all of which will start in the Spanish port of Alicante.

The presentation of this 10-year-long project and milestone in Spanish yacht racing took place in Denia, a city that has strong ties with AYRE Challenge. Two years ago, the Spanish team presented its challenge for the 33rd America’s Cup representing the Real Club Náutico de Denia (Royal Yacht Club of Denia).

The city of Denia also belongs to the province of Alicante, starting point of the next three editions of the Volvo Ocean Race, highlighting AYRE’s firm commitment to participate in all of them.

Knut Frostad, Volvo Ocean Race CEO, expressed his satisfaction with the firm intention of AYRE Challenge:

“We are very happy that teams such as AYRE present their firm intention to take part in our competition, proving the sport and commercial appeal of the Volvo Ocean Race as a platform with international reach and impact” and pointed out that “AYRE Challenge is a project with a long-term commitment that will guarantee its participation in at least 2 editions”.

Pedro Perelló, founder and CEO of AYRE Challenge, outlined the main lines of action of the team:

“AYRE Challenge was born as a new reference in yacht racing on a national and international level, based on 3 fundamental foundations. It will be a winning project, spanning various yacht classes and various aspects (sport, cultural and social).” Perelló wanted to highlight that the team opted for the VOR as the first important sailing event in which to kick off the AYRE project mainly because of “its international reach, its international values and positioning, its prestige, and the solidity it provides to our sponsors”. Regarding AYRE Challenge’s participation, “the key of the project is the ability to have continuity in time in order to break away from the usual cycles in yacht racing and for that reason the team commits to participate in the next 3 VOR editions that will start in Alicante in 2011, 2014 and 2017″.

Augusto Sanguinetti, gave a first brief overview of the project’s main technical and sports aspects:

“Our latest-generation VO70 boat will be built in the Region of Valencia in 2010 and according to our initial schedule the boatbuilder will be Richard Gillies”.

As far as boat design is concerned, the team is currently studying proposals from 2 designers of the highest international caliber and a decision will be taken before the end of 2009.

Team AYRE Challenge will rely on 2 active bases during the preparation and actual competition of the next VOR: The base in the Valencia Region will be the Team’s permanent one, housing its headquarters and used for both logistics and maintenance operations as well as for the organization of various events by the Team. The sports base, on the Atlantic Ocean coast, will be where the most important tests for the new boat development will take place.

The aim is to have 3 key persons in the sailing crew: the skipper and 2 watch captains. They will be the ones to decide and ultimately select the sailing crew that will compete in the next Volvo Ocean Race and in addition they will actively take part in the buildup and evolution of the Team.

Sanguinetti concluded that,

“we have 24 months ahead of us from today before the start of the next VOR and our objective is to make the most of our time in order to build a great team with the best preparation possible.”

The countdown towards the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race has just started for Team AYRE Challenge.

• Follow Ayre Challenge on Twitter

The Volvo Ocean Race has released more figures from the most recent edition of the race. The latest report was undertaken by the Sports Business Group at Deloitte and focussed on the economic impact on host ports.

The report shows why regional governments and tourist boards are so keen to host a stopover of the race and the link between sport and tourism.

The study was carried out into the 2008-09 start in Alicante, in the Valenciana region, and the stopover ports of Singapore, Galway and Stockholm. The methodology involved research with key stakeholders including teams, organisers, partners, and the media, and extensive spectator research and economic impact modelling.

The highlights of the Deloitte report show a Euros 89.2 million (US $131 million) total economic impact for Alicante – a 46% increase on the 2005-06 start port in the Galicia region.

Galway generated Euros 55.8 million total impact – 30% above initial projections. There were 40,500 international visitors and 46,000 visitors from elsewhere in Ireland went to Galway.

Singapore produced a total economic impact of Euros 33 million, with a direct impact of Euros 20 million, more than what was generated by the UEFA Cup Final in Scotland in 2007 (Euros 18 million).

In Singapore there were 1,400 corporate hospitality visitors and 74,000 visitor nights.

The race delivered almost Euros 32 million in direct economic benefits to Stockholm, the largest element being spectator spending with Euros 1,000 expenditure per head for international visitors.

When indirect impact is included this rises to Euros 43 million. 16,000 visitors were involved in corporate activities in the race village, at least 2,300 of them were enjoying structured corporate hospitality programmes.

Additionally there was Euros 23 million of spending by race spectators and media from outside the local region.

The report also illustrates the fact that the race is reaching out beyond traditional sailing enthusiasts. Almost two thirds (63%) of the 1,256 spectators that were interviewed by Deloitte had no previous active interest in sailing.

“This means the Volvo Ocean Race has successfully attracted a large proportion of spectators not previously associated with the sport and thus is successfully broadening its fan base.”

An overwhelming 98.44% of the 321 local spectators that were interviewed thought that hosting the Volvo Ocean Race was a good thing for their cities, and over 85% agreed that hosting the Volvo Ocean Race made them feel more positively about their cities.

Hosting the race has had a positive influence towards future tourism, since 76% of the 455 international spectators interviewed said they were more likely to return to the hosting cities after their visit.

KEY FINDINGS

Economic impact

Alicante

• Euros 89.2 million (US$131m) – total economic impact, an increase of 46% over the previous start port in the Galician region
• 5,000 corporate visitors from teams and sponsors
• 85% hotel occupancy rates

Singapore

• Euros 20 million direct impact in Singapore (total economic impact Euros 33m) – more than the UEFA Cup Final in Scotland in 2007 (Euros 18m)
• 1,650 corporate guests

Galway

• Euros 55.8 million total impact – 30% above initial projections
• Euros 36.5 million of spending by race spectators from outside the local region
• 99% of international visitors would recommend Galway as a holiday destination

Stockholm

• Euros 32 million in direct economic benefits. Rises to Euros 42 million with indirect impact
• 16,000 visitors involved in corporate activities
• Euros 23 million of spending by race spectators and media from outside the local region
• Euros 1,000 expenditure per head for international visitors in Stockholm

The Volvo Ocean Race is to move its headquarters from the south coast of England to Alicante, Spain. Perhaps bigger news is that the deal spans the next three editions of the race, giving teams and sponsors a real roadmap for the event going into the future.

The news underlines the difference between the way different cities and governments view top level sport and the changing demographics of global sailing. While the UK focusses on the 2012 Olympics and it’s crazy obsession with football (soccer), it is losing big events to countries that understand the economic benefits.

Knut Frostad, CEO of the race said:

“This is a great moment for the Volvo Ocean Race. One of our goals, as we’ve looked ahead to the next race, has been to establish long-term relationships with our stopover ports, and, for economic reasons, to base our headquarters in one of the stopover ports. But this only makes sense when both parties can make a long-term commitment. And that’s the partnership we are announcing today with Alicante.

Spain has played a significant part in recent editions of the race. Spanish sailors outnumber all other nations in the current competition and Spain has shown consistently that it understands event culture, and how to organise sporting competition.

Francisco Camps, President of the Region of Valencia said:

“The impact of hosting the start of the Volvo Ocean Race in Alicante last October was very positive for the city, the region and all of Spain. Today’s agreement means Spain will build on its status as a centre of excellence for sailing for years to come.”

The Volvo Ocean Race headquarters has been in Hampshire, England since 1998, a hangover from when the race was called the Whitbread. The UK’s sailing industry and local governments are struggling to get support for the country’s biggest sailing event – Cowes Week, so it is unsurprising that they lack the imagination and vision to invest in keeping the Volvo Ocean Race.

It is hard to imagine the UK putting together a package that included a race museum and providing assistance to teams who want to relocate to the city.

The race museum and interactive exhibition will celebrate the 36-year history and heritage of the race. The first phase is scheduled for completion in 2010.

“The museum and interactive exhibition is very important for us,” Frostad added. “This race has a long and storied history. The museum and interactive exhibition will celebrate that heritage and provide a link between our future in Alicante and our past racing around the world.”

The UK had better hope that the OC Group continue to call the Solent home. The company is a shining light that along with the well funded Vendee Globe teams and Team Origin prove that there is the expertise to keep the UK in the limelight. But without government support at all levels the country will continue to lose big sporting events, jobs and investment.

The Audi MedCup Circuit, has confirmed the calendar dates and venues for the 2009 competition season. For 2009, the Audi MedCup Circuit, now in its fifth year, will travel to five different venues from May through to September.

• May 12th to 17th Alicante, Spain
• June 9th to 14th Marseille, France
• July 20th to 25th Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
• August 18th to 23rd, Portimão, Portugal
• September 14th to 19th, Carthagena, Spain

“We return to five known venues, each which we know and which have proven themselves. They boast excellent racing waters and favourable geographical location. The Circuit dates are set in order to try and benefit from the best weather conditions on the race areas at each of the venues, whilst also forming a geographical circuit that is easiest for the team logistics,” explains Circuit Director Ignacio Triay.

The Audi MedCup Circuit organisers have worked closely with the venues and sponsors to decide on setting the regatta dates that best showcase the host venues and attractions for the visitors whilst taking into account teams and sponsor needs.

For the second time in five years, the Circuit will conclude in Spain.

“There are no surprise events as we return to venues we know. The dates have been set with careful consideration of the international racing calendar,” concludes Triay.

www.medcup.org

Saturday saw the much anticipated start of the 10th Volvo Ocean Race The day was grey and very windy in Alicante, just as the forecasters had predicted, but his Majesty King Juan Carlos 1 of Spain and his two daughters who were on hand for the start.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NcsIbH47YE[/youtube]

Out on the water, conditions were wild. A strong north-easterly breeze of 25 – 30 knots meant a windy start for the fleet which had to sail a short lap of the Bay of Alicante before heading back round a turning mark and out to sea.

As the fleet headed off on this 6,500 nautical mile leg to Cape Town, the images of these powerful boats at speed were compelling indeed.