Hola!

Hey World!

I'm still here! Took a break from the "bites," but I have not forgotten about them and right now - my sites are on the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race...

This is going to be an exciting event with the return of legends, known names and fresh talent with stripes to earn. You should bookmark their site (and mine!) Expect great stories and an adventure all can enjoy.

Still not sure what this around the world race is all about?? Well, get the book! Read-up! It's the greatest story in the world (my opinion of course... *wink*)

Speak soon - Jennifer

Winter Play and Why No Recent Post on Sailing

Would any of you reading believe that playing in the woods of Vermont, seeking out one stash of fresh powder after another could lead into talks about the 33rd edition of the America's Cup and reliving the stories of Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09?

Well, it can! A number of my fellow colleagues at Mad River Glen Ski area are serious sailors and follow the sport as religiously as they seek out fresh tracks. I wish we'd all be chatting more about the Face-off in Valencia but since many are working their way through copies of Spanish Castle to White Night - we seem to find unique connections between the offshore adventure and a back-country trek.

This leads to the infrequent sailing coverage at BoatBites (for now...) I'll be back into the circuit after the snow melts. Till then, Winter Play with fellow sailors in the mountains of Vermont guides my path. Be back soon! Don't be surprised if the next report is from Spain, chasing the latest in Volvo scoop and counting down to the 2010-11 edition of the Barcelona World Race!

Fair Winds!

Order Spanish Castle To White Night For Christmas

A short note because if you are like me and have family and friends who are hard to shop for during the holidays, however STILL wait till the last minute - could lose out on the perfect gift!

Spanish Castle To White Night is beautiful and the DVD, well put together and great account of the 2008-09 event. If I were to take a guess, if you haven't already placed an order; it will be hard to have in hand for Christmas if not done by December 14th-15th.

I'd love to share a mini list of whom I'll be wrapping up a copy for, but they read my blog!

Happy Holidays ~ J

Award Winning Spanish Castle To White Night: Final Video Clip

Here it is, the final video segment:

Video Trailers: Spanish Castle To White Night

Have you ordered your copy yet? Well, if Santa is to deliver it before Christmas you best get on with it! Need a little push, here are Parts 1 & 2 of Mark sitting with Volvo TV crew reading from the book...

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3 coming soon, but I hope you all pick up a copy before then! For those who have one on the way, don't miss the DVD. It's attached to the back cover and a wee bit camouflaged with the background.

Coffee Talk: 2009 Jacque Vabre Is Underway

One of my favorite offshore events involving the majestic IMOC 60s is currently under-way and Mark Chisnell is back at it with regular reports analyzing the skipper's moves as they make way to Costa Rica.

• 2009 Jacques Vabre
• Mark Chisnell's Twitter Updates

In the world of the Volvo Ocean Race and Spanish Castle To White Night...

• Impress Report on the reach of media from 2008-09
  
• Spanish Castle Making News In UK Sports Magazine:
  

The book is quite lovely and hope we can see more articles like this in publications across the globe!

Cheers ~ Jennifer

Just Arrived! Volvo Ocean Race Book

Offical Launch: Spanish Castle To White Night

From Our Friends At Volvo:

Monday 02 November 2009 12:00 GMT

"The official book of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 - Spanish Castle to White Night - is launched today and already it carries 'award-winning' status.

The gripping account of the 2008-09 race, penned by Mark Chisnell, known to this parish as the author of the TEN ZULU REPORT, was voted Best Sports Illustrated Book at SPORTEL Monaco, the international sports convention for television and new media, in early October." ~ Click to read complete article.

It's exciting to see the book in print and what a beautiful gift for that adventurous spirit!

Spanish Castle To White Night Coming Soon

She's nearly ready for shipment and going to be a beautiful gift to self or fellow fan of a good adventure read:



For up-to-date news and scoop on the book's release - check out the Fan Page!

Sailing World Scoops Up Volvo Ocean Race Book Sales

It's official scoop, Sailing World Magazine will be the exclusive point-of-sale for the US market of Volvo Ocean Race fans and adventure enthusiasts alike. I'm pleading the 5th on this arrangement, but some good news...the deal has made the book/DVD set a tad cheaper for the US buyer:



The book is running on schedule and the publisher, Dakini has a craft for producing beautiful products made to a high standard of quality. They DID NOT pay me to say that, played with the samples provided in Alicante.

Share Your Thoughts: New Cover For Volvo Book

"Spanish Castle To White Night" has a new look:



In case you forgot what the old cover was:



Do you think the change was good?

You can post your feedback on this post or on the Fan Page, thank you!!

PS (Pardon, bit of a mini sales pitch) The book comes with the 90 minute DVD, BUT you can just purchase the DVD alone. If you are like me, live a very "lite lifestyle" where beautiful books are hard to move about, DVD...pretty sweet alternative!!!

Stay Tuned: Mark Foy Trophy is About To Start!

It's been awhile since I've chased around the 18 foot boys and sure wouldn't mind delaying the trip home from Sweden to make a side venture to France...especially when goodfriends are about to rip it up on these impressive skiffs. The next best trick, make use of the virtual resources to stay intouch with the boys and keep you posted here on anything juicy. For now, check out the site.

Puma's Rob Greenhalgh, winner of the JJGiltinan in 2004 is scooting over to France from St. Petersburg Russia to rejoin the class. The sailing is going to be hot when talent like that flies in. Though, we'll have to see if the heavy celebrations in Russia hinder his recovery time...the Volvo Ocean Race is not a gentle feeder to a skiff event!

In the mean time, packing up and getting ready to head home to catch up on sleep (hard to do when the days are 22 hours long!) and continue work with Mark Chisnell and crew working on the Volvo Ocean Race Book "Spanish Castle To White Night." I've read up through Chapter 6 and pretty excited about this book. It's not just for the sailor at all. Not at all. My cousin, advid snowboarder who dabbles in sailing was blown away and ordered three copies just to give away as gifts! We are a supportive family, but that usually means buying one, not three!

Taking that as my family's "thumbs up" for the current project.

There will be some good Volvo scoop to come and will be great fun to see what the sailors embark on after a well deserved rest. There are a few who've kindly agreed to let me peak back into their lives from time to time to see what they are working on while we all wait to learn more on who's returning for 2011-12. It would be great to think next week there'll be some press release confirming rumors of teams ready to commit, but that would be too quick. All good stories have a cliff hanger...

Volvo Ocean Race Pit Stop in Marstrand Sweden

Sitting in the Volvo Ocean Race media center which is housed inside a fort! The fort is named Sodra Strandverkt and yet to have a conversation which provides a bit more history into the building. It's a hoot to be inside and over my should a lovely view out onto the water where 49rs have been sailing much of the day.

Well, has been a long journey to get here, horrid weather but lovely people. I enjoy Sweden, rain and all. The time here is split between Gothenburg and the island of Marstrand with the weather bit of a hindrance for getting about comfortably (one could have used a mask and snorkel the last few days), however have begun the photographic journal to peak through:


Volvo Ocean Race at Marstrand Sweden 2009 - Images by Jennifer Langille

My time in Marstrand feels all too short as we leave for Stockholm late in the day Sunday and I nearly got here on Thursday. Though much has happened in a short period of time. I've been scooped up by Dakini Books since arriving and onward with bit of a project to put my "professional social butterfly skills" to constructive use. Going forward there will be a lot of news and information on the Volvo Ocean Race Book "Spanish Castle To White Night."

A book, which I've now had the pleasure of reviewing the first five chapters, is beautiful. The words of Mark Chisnell and the photographic images are well chosen. It's a project I'm quite proud to be apart of. We have just launched our Face Book Fan Page and the book is available for pre-order, expecting an October distribution date. All parts are running on schedule.

More to come...