NEWPORT
PRACTICAL MEDIA GUIDE
8-20 MAY 2018
volvooceanrace.com
Dear Media,
Welcome to the Volvo Ocean Race. Newport is one of 12 host cities on the round the world route, returning for a second time after the inaugural stopover in the last edition of the race in 2014-15.
This is a practical guide to the digital and media facilities at the Race Village.
The full official Media Guide for the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 can be found here
There are many ways to follow the Volvo Ocean Race online, via our App and our social media channels, and there are many other tools and assets the media can access.
Media Hub
A central source of information about the race, results, history, the sailors.
Image Library
An archive of photos from our photographers and the Onboard Reporters on each boat.
Broadcast Room
Where broadcast media can access Video News Releases, live conferences with the boats, video from the Onboard Reporters and more.
Press Releases & Video News Releases Alerts
Sign-up for press releases, Video News Release alerts, Best Videos & Images alerts or Feature Opportunities. All media enquiries: [email protected] NB: IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR MEDIA
Newport is one of America’s most famous sailing hubs
Home to Sail Newport Inc, founded in 1983, Sail Newport is New England’s largest public sailing centre that also serves hundreds of children each season through its Youth Sailing Programme and is Rhode Island’s premier public sailing site. The beautiful old colonial town, which was for so long associated with the America’s Cup, now has a new world-class sailing event to boast about. The Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 will mark the second consecutive visit to Rhode Island, and after an incredible debut in the 12th edition.
Rhode Island is the smallest state in the USA – but punches way above its weight
There is mile after mile of magnificent coastline, harbours, beaches and much more. Try a tour of Fort Adams, the largest coastal fortification in the USA, and then pick a waterfront restaurant to enjoy the native lobster rolls, or a delicious clam chowder. Take a stroll up to Bellevue Avenue, home to
Newport's legendary Gilded Age mansions depicting the splendour of the Astor and Vanderbilt
"summer cottages" presiding over the Atlantic Ocean coastline. If the weather’s nice, how about a tour of Newport Harbour to check out the greatest collection of classic yachts, the largest collection of the famous 12 meters, rum runners’ yachts and every type of modern sail, power and mega yacht. The backdrop is an entire sailing-centric community and quintessential New England harbour lined with historic sea captains' houses, pubs, taverns, shops and galleries.
How to find us
The Race Village is set in Newport’s Fort Adams State Park and the Media Centre is located at the heart of the Race Village.
Find out about public parking, ferry transfers from Newport and cycling options here. Email
[email protected] for access to press parking area and ferry shuttle service for media. Domestic flights go into Providence Airport, approximately a 30-minute drive. More information here.
International flights go into Boston Logan International Airport. For more information on transfer options, please email
Media
Centre
Race
Village
Map of Area - Race Village
volvooceanrace.com
Volvo Ocean 65 Schedule
NEWPORT ACTIVITY
11.5.18 -/+2 days ETA range for the fleet to arrive
16.5.18 Practice Race / 1400-1500
17.5.18 Pro-Am Races / 1230-1730 (invitation only)
18.5.18 Pre-Leg Departure Press Conference / 1400 (The Globe)
18.5.18 Volvo Ocean 65 Boat Tours (VO65 pontoon)
19.5.18 Gurney’s Resorts In-Port Race / 1400-1500
20.5.18 Sailors Parade & Dock Out Ceremony / 1200-1300
20.5.18 Leg 9 start Newport to Cardiff, UK / 1400
ETA = Estimated time of arrival
Practice Race 4 x media places on board each VO65
Pro-Am Races Sailing race for hospitality guests / invitation only by teams In-Port Race = Official regatta within the In-Port Race Series
Arrival of the Fleet / Media Alerts
Please follow our digital channels for the latest information around timings of the boat arrivals in to Newport at the end of Leg 8
https://twitter.com/RaceExperts
http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/raceblog.html
Stopover media can join a WhatsApp group to be alerted to boat arrivals at -2 hours to estimated time of boat(s) crossing finishing line Press boats depart -1 hour. Please register for this group at the Media Centre or email [email protected]
On arrival the boat will dock at the pontoon, a team prize giving will take place at the Arrivals Stage after docking - a media pen is located in front of the stage.
Media interview opportunities will be coordinated with the relevant team Press Officer at the Volvo Pavilion after the prize giving.
Finish of Leg into Newport
Gurney’s Resorts In-Port Race 19.5.18
volvooceanrace.com
Start of Leg 9 to Cardiff, UK 20.5.18
This is the last of the long legs, 3,300 nautical miles of trans-Atlantic crossing from Newport, Rhode Island in the USA to Cardiff in Wales. This leg is another classic, a status recognised by it being the final double-points leg of the race.
The leg starts late spring, and the crossing should be dominated by the Westerly Storm Track (the wave of east-bound low pressure systems circulating around the Arctic and Antarctic). The start lies firmly in the Storm Track and so does the finish in Wales. This is the classic trans-Atlantic route, and as a result it should be both quicker and simpler. The fleet is expected to finish this transatlantic leg in around 7-9 days.
Press Boat Allocation
Media Centre Opening Hours (local time)
The Media Centre will be open daily between 0900-1900 hours local time. The Media Centre will also be open for for each boat arrival if this takes place outside of normal office hours.
Media accreditation
Please sign up to media accreditation prior to your arrival. You can do this by filling in your details on the following link: volvooceanrace-accreditation.com
On the day that you arrive at the Race Village, please collect your accreditation from the Accreditation Centre. Please ensure that you have your ID with you.
Places in the Media Centre are limited to 50 journalists.
Please note, we can accept accreditation on the day, however the process may take some time.
Pro-Am Races
Pro-Am Racing on Thursday, 17 May is an opportunity for VIP guests to go sailing. Invitations to race on board are only issued by the teams.
Press Conference
The Leg 9 Departure press conference will be held on Friday, 18 May starting at 1400 local time to be held in The Globe at the Race Village. On arrivals, media interviews to be arranged with the relevant team press officers.
Tour of a Volvo Ocean 65
On Friday, 18 May we can offer media a tour of the VO65 Brunel at 0900 local. To book a place, please email [email protected]
Practice Race 16.5.18
On Wednesday, 16 May we have a number of places available for media to go on board the racing boats for The Practice In-Port Race starting at 1400 local time. Please email
[email protected] to register your interest (places are limited to 4 media per Volvo Ocean 65 boat - 2 places nominated by the Volvo Ocean Race and 2 places by the team).
volvooceanrace.com
Interview Opportunities
For media interviews with any of the Volvo Ocean Race representatives, skippers or crew, please email [email protected] who will coordinate with the relevant team press officer.
For any media interviews in relation to the Volvo Ocean Race sustainability programme, please email [email protected]
Open Media Sessions with individual teams are held at the Team Base of relevant team. Dates and timings to be advised by the teams in due course.
Schools Programme
Over 2,000 students will engage with the Volvo Ocean Race Education Programme where they will learn about the race, try sailing and learn how plastic pollution is damaging our seas, and how they can help protect our blue planet by becoming Champions for the Sea. Students will have a guided visit of the Race Village, the One Ocean Exploration Zone and The Globe for sustainability workshops. If you would like to find out more or join one of the educational workshops, please email [email protected]
Volvo Cars Beach Clean-up
Volvo Cars will be hosting a local beach clean at Castle Hill Beach from 41North at 9am. If you would like more information or wish to attend, please email [email protected]
Ocean Summit
The Newport Ocean Summit will be held Friday 18th May 2018 at the Volvo Pavilion, Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI 02840
During the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race a series of Ocean Summits have been organised at a range of stopovers as a key part of our sustainability programme.
The seven Ocean Summits are bringing together the worlds of sport, industry, government, science and ocean advocates, to showcase innovative solutions and announcements to combat the global crisis of ocean plastic pollution
OMEGA unveiling
May 17 at 3:30pm: Official unveiling of the OMEGA Volvo Ocean Race winner’s watch.
Other Race Village Activities
NEWPORT OTHER ACTIVITIES (please see link below for full listings) 8.5.18 Race Village opening ceremony / 1600-1900 Main Stage
9.5.18 - 18.5.18 Try Sailing daily (times vary)
11.5.18 Heineken Dock Party / 1630-1900
12.5.18 Sail Newport Party (invitation only)
14.5.18 MetLife Veterans Regatta Clinic (timings & location tbc)
15.5.18 Vestas 11th Hour Racing Carbon Offsetting Activation with Save the Bay / 0830 For further info, please email [email protected]
15.5.18 MetLife Veterans Regatta (timings tbc)
16.5.18 Heineken Dock Party / 1630-1900
17.5.18 Official Presentation of Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean / 1530 Sailors Terrace (invitation only)
18.5.18 Ocean Summit / 0830-1130 Volvo Pavilion
18.5.18 Leg 9 departure Press Conference (1400 The Globe)
18.5.18 Vestas 11th Hour Racing Media Roundtable & Boat Tour / 1500 at team base Please RSVP [email protected]
18.5.18 M32 catamaran sailing for corporate guests / Château D’Esclans Dock Party 1630-1900
19.5.18 Volvo Cars Beach Clean-Up (0900 Castle Hill Beach)
19.5.18 Volvo Ocean Race Youth Academy powered by International (all day)
volvooceanrace.com
Other Useful Information
Safety & security - your equipment and personal possessions are your responsibility. Volvo Ocean Race S.L.U. take no responsibility for loss or damage.
Disclaimer - if you go on the water on board a racing boat, you will be required to sign a disclaimer form. We will require an ID number (passport, NIE, ID card, etc) and details of an emergency contact person.
Time Zone EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) UTC -4 hours Average temperature 11-18 degrees C
Local currency is US dollars / 1 Euro = 1.22 US dollars
Power: 110 volts AC (power socket type not compatible with European/UK plugs)
Volvo Ocean Race Newport
http://www.volvooceanracenewport.com/
Discover Newport, RI
https://www.discovernewport.org/
Team Contacts:
Team AkzoNobel
[email protected] Team Brunel
[email protected] Dongfeng Race Team
[email protected] MAPFRE
[email protected] Team Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag [email protected] Turn The Tide on Plastic [email protected] Vestas 11th Hour Racing [email protected] [email protected]
Contacts: