Arthur Farley from Wootton, one of the World’s great VR sailors has done it again, racing against 27,934 other skippers/players he managed third overall in the 2,900 mile RORC transatlantic race, which set off from Lanzarote to the Island of Grenada.
Finishing the race in 15 days, five hours and 20 minutes, gaining third position and only 11 mins and 39 seconds behind the winning boat.
What is VR racing?
Virtual racing is just like the real thing in so much as you have plan your route based on current and future wind conditions and then plan to change sails to match wind conditions (regardless of the time of day).
All the time competing against around 65,000+ players.
One of the world’s best VR eSailor
Arthur first came to prominence in ESailing in 2022, as one of the world’s best VR eSailors. He was Vice World Champion 2022. He won the Olympic Esport series and Esailgp World Title in 2023. He is the current and two times GBR National Champion 2021/22.
In the Offshore version, which is played by one million players, Arthur managed to be one of the world’s best there, winning and podiuming in frequently.
Successes IRL too
Of course E racing is just part of what he does, when he is not training hard in or racing his ILCA7 he is aiming for Olympic medals.
His successes to date;
- Part of British Sailing Olympic Squad focused for 2028 and further games.
- Full time athlete from September 2022
- ILCA 7/Laser Standard Under 19 European champion 2022
- ILCA 7 vice national Champion 2021
- ILCA 6/Laser radial Under 19/17 National champion 2020
Against the odds
Arthur contracted HCL (Hairy Cell Leukaemia) at some point during his early campaigns, but wasn’t diagnosed until after he won the under 19 European Championships in 2022, he subsequently spent eight months in and out of hospital he needs sponsorship to help him get back on track, as he said,
“I won the Europeans with HCL, just imagine how fast I could go without it!”
Olympic hopeful
Arthur is currently looking for sponsorship or individual donations to help fund his campaign. He has a GoFundMe page for individual donations and a pamphlet for potential commercial sponsors that outlines is successes and his hopes.
News shared by Paul on behalf of Arthur Farley. Ed
