Periscope, the live streaming application of social media website Twitter, has been taken on by sailing’s Volvo Ocean Race, which is providing live streaming via the service during the ongoing 2014-15 event.
Three teams – Team Alvimedica, Dongfeng Race Team and Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing – offered live onboard streaming using Periscope during the Team Vestas Wind In-Port Race in Newport, the US, at the weekend.
Ocean Race organisers said the initial streams through the event’s official account on May 16 attracted over 3,500 viewers from all over the world, topping the chart of most popular global streams.
“As a sport on the fringes, sailing really benefits from finding innovative ways of reaching a new audience,” Amory Ross, onboard reporter for Team Alvimedica, said. “This Race has taken to the simplicity of social media and this is a great opportunity to benefit from the growing global audience provided by Periscope.”