Alex Thomson’s dream of winning the Velux 5 Oceans is left sinking in the Atlantic Ocean with his Hugo Boss yacht. His on-board broadcast system, Livewire Digital’s M-Link, captured the dramatic rescue of Thomson by his fellow competitor Mike Golding aboard E-Sure. Unfortunately, following the rescue, Golding lost his mast and also had to retire from what is called ‘The Ultimate Solo Challenge’.

 

Alex Thomson’s Hugo Boss yacht was installed with Livewire Digital’s M-Link Integrated Media Station (MIMS), one of the most advanced pieces of broadcast hardware available for racing yachts. Thanks to its on-board cameras, viewers around the world were able to live through one of the toughest races in the yachting calendar, which saw the Hugo Boss yacht being pounded by gale force winds right from the start.

To capture the dramatic on board events, Livewire’s M-Link media system incorporates digital delay technology which buffers the last two minutes of video. By simply pressing a ‘crash' button, the historical video and subsequent events can be recorded automatically to tape ready for inclusion in live interviews or for high quality ‘Store and Forward’ pieces. In addition, a ‘Diary function’ allows Alex to simply press a button and record his impressions and emotions to camera, building up a video dairy of the voyage.

Thomson described the system as “brilliant”, and hoped it would film him celebrating victory when the race ended in Bilbao in April 2007. Unfortunately this will not be the case, but through MIMS’ advanced broadcasting features, Alex’s on-board commentary and personal video diaries have made him a firm favourite amongst the fans around the world.
For footage, detailed analysis or images of the yachts or the Livewire Digital equipment, please contact Rob Boella at rob.boella@livewirepr.com, or on 020 8339 7440

Company contact:
Tristan Wood, Managing Director, Livewire Digital
Email: enquiry@livewire.co.uk
T:01372 731 400 F:01372 731 420
Units 14 & 15, First Quarter, Blenheim Road Epsom.

Press Contact:
Rob Boella – email:rob.boella@livewirepr.com 
T: 020 8339 7440  F: 020 8339 7441 
Livewire Public Relations, 32 Ewell Road, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 6HX. 
Website: www.livewirepr.com