Previously, I asked the question "In which sport, is human endurance pushed to the limit (athletes have died), and does Internet Hyperconnectivity trump TV?"
Thirty solo racers (including 2 women) left Sunday in an around the world race (the Vendee Globe) in their 20m/60 foot 'formula 1' racing yachts. A good portion of the 27Km trek will be in the southern ocean culminating in rounding Cape Horn, sometimes reaching speeds of as high as 40 knots (roughly 80 kph or 50 mph!). They aren't allowed to touch land, or get any assistance.
Four years ago, the #2 boat came just 5 hours past the leader, while the #3 bought limped in a day later having lost its keel.
Why do I call this extreme sport hyperconnected? While TV camera crews stay home, you can follow the race over the Internet, getting video and audio, podcasts, emails etc from the boats.
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