The Volvo Ocean Race sits at the top of the competitive sailor's pyramid, alongside the America's Cup and the Olympics. The nine month, 11 port, 38,000 mile race around the world is a huge challenge, and only a few highly skilled and serious sailors get to take part.

For the rest of us, there's the Virtual Race, a race you can play from home on your computer while dreaming about 'what if...'. And here are my reasons why that's even better.

Here's why the virtual Volvo Ocean Race can be even more fun than the real thing.

The virtual Volvo Ocean Race can be even more fun than the real thing. Image: Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race



1. Competition: There are over 100,000 other sailors on the same course. Real VOR? 7 boats and only 66 sailors.

2. Food: Snacks, lots of them, and an endless supply of Halloween candy. VOR sailors? Freeze dried food that tastes like mud for every meal.

3. Drinks: Coke, Diet Coke, and a Starbucks less than 10 minutes away. I even get a cold beer at the end my watch. Volvo sailors: water from the desalinator and powdered energy drinks.

4. Stress: None (unless I unexpectedly crack the top 10 and start dreaming about winning a watch). Volvo teams: Massive.

6. Skill: None needed for me, while those guys have to be extremely good at a wide range of things.

7. Health risks: Eye strain, snack addiction (see #2). Volvo racers: actual physical harm.

8. Weather: Warm and dry vs. boiling hot or freezing cold (and never dry).

9. Clothing: Sweatpants and fleece, changed daily. Volvo racers: same clothes for a month.

Yes I know, the headline promised 10 reasons the virtual race is better. But this last one actually makes the real thing look like the place to be:

10. End of Leg Rewards: My family gave up on me, and had no interest that I'd finished leg 1 in the top 36,000 gamers. Meanwhile the Volvo teams got a hero's welcome, whatever time of day or night they arrived in Cape Town. And I bet the steak and beer never tasted so good.

Maybe I should've signed up for the real thing after all...

Read more about the Virtual Volvo Ocean Race, or register to race before leg 2 starts November 19.