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Sailing and hiking

On the weekend of June 18-19, the Skype team had two concurrent outing events in different parts of the world. We do have them once in a while with the engineering crew, but having two at the same time doesn’t happen that often.

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]]> ### A day at the races

In a late night strategic workshop session ;) between Skype CEO Niklas Zennström and some other topshots, the idea to take a few Skype people along and somehow go somewhere sailing was brought up.

As with most other initiatives in Skype, there was a short way between idea an action. And that’s why a crew of 10 Skypers found themselves competing in the famous Round the Isle Race that weekend.

[Round the Island](http://www.roundtheisland.co.uk) is an institution in British sailing. It takes place every year around this time, and the isle in question is Isle of Wight, beautifully located a few nautical miles south of Southampton.

The race is not really that much about competing, but more about having a good time and enjoying the wonderful seas aroudn the island. But since many professional crews and boats enter the competition each year, it’s also a chance for some of us once-a-year sailors to be in the same waters as the big guys. Close to 1700 boats entered the competition this year, so there was plenty of action to be had.

… but instead of a long, boring story with us using the wrong words for the wrong maneuvers, we’d rather show you a bunch of pictures from the day.

Final score was a meager 38th place in our class (out of 43 finishing boats), and an overall placement of 446 among the 1,300 boats which finished the race.

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### Nature calls

Meanwhile in a parallel universe, the Skype engineering folks in Estonia undertook a journey of another kind — to cross about 25 kilometers of landscape on foot in two days, crossing some great untouched scenery and having some challenges such as crossing rivers hanging from a rope, as well as plenty of fun as the pictures below depict. No winners or losers there, just two days well spent.

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23 thoughts on “Sailing and hiking

  1. waldo_is_here said 2885 days ago

    nice pictures. thank you. what is the name of the skype dog? waldo@japan

  2. vincent_oberle said 2885 days ago

    That’s some kick-ass “team building”! I cannot wait to start…

  3. dhawton said 2885 days ago

    So this is why I never got a response to support tickets.

  4. andres.sehr said 2885 days ago

    dhawton – Not all staff were out enjoying the hiking or sailing on the weekend. Some were still in the office answering emails, not as many as usual which might have cause your ticket to get answered a bit slower but it should be answered by now, check your inbox.

    Also, the dogs name is Tobi.

  5. checkxp said 2884 days ago

    I feel this gives a broader idea of Skype. That it isn’t just an internet company trying to get money on the back of their customers. It shows a very human aspect of Skype, with very wise ideas.

    Skype should continue develop, extend their capacity and product range

  6. kev.delaney said 2881 days ago

    dhawton: Also, the forum is a great place to start. Some great users in there would be more than happy to help you out, just be polite

    -kevin

  7. kev.delaney said 2881 days ago

    Also…that shirt the girl is wearing that says “I Skype, do you?”… I want a guy’s/unisex version…where can I get one? And don’t say Cafepress or I’ll slap you from here to Tuesday.

    -kevin

  8. bob_algie said 2881 days ago

    can a Canadian skype member text message a portugal mobile phone using skypeout? and what are the rates for such a text message? bob_algie@yahoo.com

  9. flatline_says said 2880 days ago

    Will anyone from Skype be going to Cowes Week?

  10. nitro2arg said 2879 days ago

    Hola Soy de Argentina y quiero invitarlos a visitar nuestro pais haceindo un atravesia de estas en bariloche un lugar esplendido para vacacionar !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Viita la Patagonia Argentina con Skype
    Yo invito!!!!!!

  11. rajivvidya said 2879 days ago

    You deserve that! Thanks for Skype!!

  12. winnylove said 2879 days ago
  13. squire337 said 2878 days ago

    Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice – not quite like Germany but niiiiiiiiiiiiice *lolz*

  14. myusmyus7751 said 2877 days ago

    а где русский язык?

  15. sponkyhoutx said 2876 days ago

    Hi, this is a great site. I love it. Mom in Houston, Texas.

    Elie

  16. chaos-servers said 2875 days ago

    Whats that in the water,

    Hey Waldo, leave tobi alone m8, ( very scary when people ask you the name of your wife or dog )

    *GG* Have fun all

  17. halissonrs said 2874 days ago

    Boa Tarde !
    As fotos estão muito lindas…. PARABÉNS.
    Abraços,
    Halisson
    Brasil / Rio Grande do Sul / Porto Alegre

  18. winthorp said 2824 days ago

    E a che serve la partita iva per registrasi? °_°

  19. skaipe1 said 2816 days ago

    http://WWW.PAGINESKYPE.IT e’ dedicato soltanto alle Imprese e Professionisti, da qui la richiesta di P.I.

  20. frascella2 said 2806 days ago

    Elettroforniture Ingrosso e Dettaglio .
    Matera

  21. alarealty said 2756 days ago

    can i send a invitation to Italy in Italian if how

  22. khammar1111 said 2739 days ago
  23. kristina.lovran said 2611 days ago

    Nice pictures… and good way of spending fee time … With friends…and fresh air, sun, good vibrations… I often do the same ..trekking , sailling.. I live in Croatia ..nice place to discover… Have a good time , you too!

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