Racing Around the World - Virtually

As of this morning's sked, Atlantis 1 is in 10,765th place having gained about 400 places overnight. Not bad for a night's work. We're about 593 miles off the lead. Hard to figure out where we lost so much distance, but as the leaders hit lighter air as they approach the doldrums, maybe we can make up a little ground.

Son Peter, 11, in Atlantis 2 has the family lead. This morning, he was in 2,262nd, only 273 miles off the lead, and daughter Hannah's not too far behind him in Sol y Escopetas ("Sun and Guns" in Spanish - don't ask me). Not sure exactly where they are, but based on what we're looking at for breeze over the next 36 hours, I think Atlantis 1 is positioned to make a move.

OK, I'm addicted. Which isn't terribly surprising, given the number of other people who seem to be as well. There are 32,666 boats in the Volvo Ocean Race Game, and while I'm sure that quite a few players have multiple horses in the race, that's still a pretty impressive number of people who, like all of us, are spending an unhealthy amount of time in front of the screen. In fact, the timing of the start of the Volvo Ocean Race and the global economic meltdown may just be too much of a coincidence.

It's not too late to jump in, and it's better than fantasy football. Probably better than actually sailing around the world too - you can jibe and change spinnakers, and then go sleep in your warm, dry bed.