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Velux 5 Oceans Race

The Velux 5 Oceans Race was a round-the-world single-handed yacht race, sailed in stages, managed by Clipper Ventures Plc since 2000. Its most recent name comes from its main sponsor Velux. Originally known as the BOC Challenge, for the title sponsor The BOC Group, the first edition was in 1982. In the late 1990s the race was renamed the Around Alone. After attracting just five entries in the 2010-11 race, the event has not been held since.

Overview

The race was established in 1982 as the BOC Challenge, with main sponsorship from The BOC Group. The race was inspired by the Golden Globe Race, which was the first single-handed round-the-world yacht race. Although the Golden Globe was a non-stop race, the BOC Challenge concept was for a single-handed round-the-world race, to be run in stages (in contrast to the Vendée Globe, which is non-stop). As the longest single-handed event in the world, it was regarded as one of sailing's ultimate challenges.[1]

The race was run every four years. The first edition was won by Philippe Jeantot, who won all four legs of the race with an overall elapsed time of just over 159 days. In 1990, the race was renamed the Around Alone; for 2006, it is known as the Velux 5 Oceans Race.

Past results

The BOC Challenge 1982–83

Raced over four legs; Newport, Rhode Island — Cape Town — Sydney — Rio de Janeiro — Newport. Two classes of boat were entered: Class 1, 45–56 feet (13.7–17.1 m); and Class 2, 32–44 feet (9.7–13.4 m).

Results:[2][3]

Skipper Boat Nationality Time
Class 1: 45 to 56 feet
Philippe Jeantot Credit Agricole France 159 days
Bertie Reed Altech Voortrekker South Africa 170 days
Richard Broadhead Perseverance of Medina United Kingdom 192 days
Neville Gosson Leda Pier One Australia 202 days
Desmond Hampton Gipsy Moth V United Kingdom Wrecked
Tony Lush Lady Pepperell United States Sunk Leg 2
Paul Rogers Spirit of Pentax United Kingdom Retired Leg 1
Dave White Gladiator United States Retired Leg 1
Class 2: 32 to 44 feet
Yukoh Tada Koden Okera V Japan 207 days
Francis Stokes Mooneshine United States 209 days
Richard Konkolski Nike III United States 213 days
Guy Bernadin Ratso II France 221 days
Dan Byrne Fantasy United States 228 days
Richard McBride City of Dunedin New Zealand 264 days
Jacques de Roux Skoiern III France Sunk Leg 3
Greg Coles Datsun Skyline New Zealand Retired Leg 1
Thomas Lindholm Driftwood United States Retired Leg 1

The BOC Challenge 1986–87

Raced over four legs; Newport, Rhode Island — Cape Town — Sydney — Rio de Janeiro — Newport. Two classes of boat were entered: Class 1, 50–60 feet (15.2–18.3 m); and Class 2, 40–50 feet (12.2–15.2 m). New safety rules were introduced for this race, including compulsory watertight bulkheads and a simple stability check.

Results:[4][5]

Skipper Boat Nationality Time
Class 1: 50 to 60 feet
Philippe Jeantot Credit Agricole France 134 days
Titouan Lamazou Ecureuil France 137 days
Jean-Y Terlain UAP France 146 days
Guy Bernadin Biscuit Lu France 146 days
John Martin Tuna Marine South Africa 147 days
Ian Kiernan Triple M Australia 156 days
Bertie Reed Stabilo Boss South Africa 163 days
Dave White Legend Securities United States 164 days
Richard McBride Kiwi Express New Zealand Retired Leg 1
John Biddlecombe ACI Crusader Australia Retired Leg 1
Warren Luhrs Thursday's Child United States Retired Leg 2
Class 2: 40 to 50 feet
Mike Plant Airco Distributor United States 157 days
Jean-Luc Van Den Heede Let's Go France 161 days
Harry Harkimo Belmont Finland Finland 168 days
Hal Roth American Flag United States 171 days
Richard Konkolski Declaration United States 172 days
Pentti Salmi Colt by Rettig Finland 175 days
Mark Schrader Lone Star United States 175 days
John Hughes Joseph Young Canada 189 days
Dick Cross Airforce United States Retired Leg 1
Eduardo Louro de Almeida Miss Global Brazil Retired Leg 1
Mac Smith Qualo United States Retired Leg 1
Takao Shimada Madonna Japan Retired Leg 1
Harry Mitchell Double Cross United Kingdom Retired Leg 3
Jacques de Roux Skoiern IV France Lost at sea Leg 2

The BOC Challenge 1990–91

The course was changed for this edition, although it was still divided into four legs: Newport, Rhode Island — Cape Town — Sydney — Punta del Este — Newport. Three classes of boat were entered: Class 1, 50–60 feet (15.2–18.3 m); Class 2, 40–50 feet (12.2–15.2 m); and a Corinthian class.

Results:[6][7]

Skipper Boat Nationality Time
Class 1: 50 to 60 feet
Christophe Auguin Groupe Sceta France 120 days
Alain Gautier Generali Concorde France 122 days
Philippe Jeantot Credit Agricole IV France 129 days
Mike Plant Duracell United States 132 days
Kanga Birtles Jarkan Yacht Builders Australia 135 days
Dave Adams Innkeeper Australia 136 days
Isabelle Autissier Ecureuil Poitou Charantes France 139 days
Bertie Reed Grinaker South Africa 140 days
Jose de Ugarte BBV Expo '92 Spain 140 days
Nándor Fa Alba Regia Hungary 165 days
John Martin Allied Bank South Africa Sank Leg 3
John Biddlecombe Interox Crusader Australia Retired Leg 1
Enda O'Coineen Kilcullen Ireland Retired Leg 1
Class 2: 40 to 50 feet
Yves Dupasquier Servant IV France 141 days
Don McIntyre Buttercup Australia 153 days
Josh Hall New Spirit of Ipswich United Kingdom 157 days
Jack Boye Project City Kids United States 158 days
Hal Roth Sebago United States 211 days
Yukoh Tada Koden VIII Japan Retired Leg 2
Jane Weber Tilley Endurable Canada Retired Leg 1
Corinthian class
Paul Thackleberry Volcano United States 180 days
Robin Davie Global Exposure United Kingdom 181 days
Minoru Saito Shuten Dohji Japan 197 days
William Gilmore Zafu United States Retired Leg 1
Robert Hooke Niihau 4 United States Retired Leg 3

The BOC Challenge 1994–95

The course was again changed for this edition, although it was still divided into four legs: Charleston, South Carolina — Cape Town — Sydney — Punta del Este — Charleston. Two classes of boat were entered: Class 1, 50–60 feet (15.2–18.3 m); and Class 2, 40–50 feet (12.2–15.2 m).

Results:[8][9]

Skipper Boat Nationality Time
Class 1: 50 to 60 feet
Christophe Auguin Sceta-Calberson France 121 days
Steve Pettengill Hunters Child United States 128 days
Jean-Luc Van Den Heede Vendee Enterprises France 129 days
David Scully Coyote United States 133 days
JJ Provoyeur Novell S.Africa South Africa 133 days
Arnet Taylor Thursday's Child United States 200 days
Josh Hall Gartmore United Kingdom Sank Leg 1
Mark Gatehouse QAB United Kingdom Retired Leg 1
Isabelle Autissier Ecureuil Poitou-Charentes 2 France Sank Leg 2
Class 2: 40 to 50 feet
Dave Adams True Blue Australia 131 days
Giovanni Soldini Kodak Italy 134 days
Niah Vaughan Jimroda II United Kingdom 166 days
Alan Nebauer Newcastle Australia Australia 181 days
Robin Davie Cornwall United Kingdom 197 days
Minoru Saito Shuten Dohji II Japan 223 days
Floyd Romak Cardac 88 United States Retired Leg 1
Neal Petersen Protect our Sealife South Africa Retired Leg 2
Simone Bianchetti Town of Cervia Italy Retired Leg 2
Nigel Rowe Skycatcher United Kingdom Retired Leg 3
Harry Mitchell Hornblower United Kingdom Lost at sea[10]

The Around Alone, 1998

The course was again changed for this edition, although it was still divided into four legs: Charleston, South Carolina — Cape Town — Auckland — Punta del Este — Charleston. Two classes of boat were entered: Class 1, 50–60 feet (15.2–18.3 m); and Class 2, 40–50 feet (12.2–15.2 m).

In this race Isabelle Autissier was rescued by fellow competitor Giovanni Soldini when her boat PRB capsized approximately 1,900 nautical miles (3,500 km) west of Cape Horn.[11]

The results:[12][13][14]

Skipper Boat Nationality Time
Class 1: 50 to 60 feet
Giovanni Soldini Fila Italy 116 days
Marc Thiercelin Somewhere France 130 days
Josh Hall Gartmore United Kingdom Dismasted Leg 3
Fyodor Konyukhov Modern U/Humanities Russia Retired Leg 2
Mike Golding Group 4 Securitas United Kingdom Retired Leg 2
Isabelle Autissier PRB France Sank Leg 3
Sebastian Reidl Project Amazon Canada
Class 2: 40 to 50 feet
Jean Pierre Mouligne Cray Valley France 132 days
Michael Garside Magellan Alpha United Kingdom 138 days
Brad van Liew Balance Bar United States 150 days
Viktor Yazykov Wind of Change Russia 168 days
Neal Petersen www.no-barriers.com South Africa 195 days
Minoru Saito Shuten Dohji II Japan 203 days
Neil Hunter Paladin II Australia 216 days
Robin Davie South Carolina United States Disqualified Leg 2
George Stricker Rapscallion III United States Retired Leg 2

Viktor Yazykov is noted for performing surgery alone, at sea, on his elbow to drain a dangerous infection after injuring his elbow during the race. He emailed a doctor who provided instructions for his treatment[15][16][17]

The Around Alone, 2002

The course was again changed for this edition, this time spanning five legs: Newport, Rhode Island/New York — Brixham, Devon — Cape Town — Tauranga — Salvador, Brazil — Newport. Although the race technically started and ended in Newport, it was preceded by a "prologue race", in which the boats with crews of up to five raced to New York, to take part in Sail for America, a major sailing event marking the first anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The main Around Alone event started from New York, and finished back in Newport.

Three classes of boat were entered: Class 1, IMOCA Open 60; Class 2, IMOCA Open 50; and Class 3, IMOCA Open 40.

Results:[18][19]

Skipper Boat Nationality Time
Class 1: IMOCA Open 60
Bernard Stamm Bobst Group Armor Lux Switzerland 49 pts 115 days
Thierry Dubois Solidaires France 45 pts 118 days
Simone Bianchetti Tiscali Italy 35 pts 159 days
Emma Richards Pindar United Kingdom 33 pts 131 days
Bruce Schwab Ocean Planet United States 30 pts 159 days
Patrick Radigues Garnier Belgium Retired Leg 1
Graham Dalton Hexagon HSBC New Zealand Retired Leg 3
Class 2: IMOCA Open 50
Brad van Liew Tommy Hilfiger United States 50 pts 148 days
Tim Kent Everest Horizontal United States 44 pts 169 days
John Dennis Bayer Ascensia Canada Retired Leg 2
Class 3: IMOCA Open 40
Derek Hatfield Spirit of Canada Canada 37 pts 245 days
Kojiro Shiraishi Spirit of Yukoh Japan 36 pts 180 days
Alan Paris BTC Velocity Bermuda 30 pts 202 days

The Velux 5 Oceans 2006–07

The 2006 edition covered a route of 30,140 nautical miles (55,820 km). The race started in Bilbao (Spain), on October 22, 2006, and finished there. There were only two stops, in Fremantle (Australia) and Norfolk (USA).

Skipper Name Boat Name Nationality Boat Type Time
Bernard Stamm Cheminées Poujoulat Switzerland Open 60 103 days
Kojiro Shiraishi Spirit of Yukoh Japan Open 60 118 days
Unai Basurko Pakea Spain / Basque Open 60 158 days
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston SAGA Insurance United Kingdom Open 60 159 days
Graham Dalton A Southern Man-AGD New Zealand Open 50 Finished Leg 2
Mike Golding Ecover United Kingdom Open 60 Retired Leg 1
Alex Thomson Hugo Boss United Kingdom Open 60 Abandoned Leg 1

The race was open to monohull yachts conforming to the Open 50 and Open 60 class criteria. The Open classes are unrestricted in certain aspects but a box rule governs parameters such as overall length, draught, appendages and stability, as well as numerous other safety features.[20]

The race took place in stages, with the skippers having the chance to rest and refit at each stop-over point. Different staging points have been used over the years; the races prior to the 1998 event were run in four legs, and the 1998 event in five legs. The 2006 edition had the longest stages of any edition to date, with just three legs:[21]

From To Expected Start Expected Finish Length (nm)
Bilbao, Spain Fremantle, Australia October 22, 2006 Early December 2006 11,730
Fremantle, Australia Norfolk, Virginia, USA January 7, 2007 Mid March 2007 14,500
Norfolk, Virginia, USA Bilbao, Spain April 15, 2007 End of April 2007 3,910

The total length for the 2006 edition was 30,140 nautical miles (55,820 km).

The Velux 5 Oceans 2010–11

The 2010 edition of the race started in La Rochelle (France), on October 17, 2010, and finished in the same port. Stopovers were Cape Town (South Africa), Wellington (New Zealand), Punta del Este (Uruguay), and Charleston, South Carolina (USA). The sailboats are all in the "Eco 60" class (Open 60 yachts built before 1 January 2003).

Skipper Name Nationality Boat Name Boat Type Total Time Overall Place Overall Points
Brad Van Liew United States Le Pingouin
Eco 60
 118 days 10 hours 17 mins 1st 73
Zbigniew Gutkowski Poland Operon Racing
Eco 60
 140 days 14 hours 37 mins (including stopping in Brazil due to injury) 2nd 53
Derek Hatfield Canada Active House
Eco 60
 130 days 15 hours 42 mins 3rd 51
Chris Stanmore-Major United Kingdom Spartan
Eco 60
 140 days 4 hours 10 mins 4th 48
Christophe Bullens Belgium Five Ocean of Smiles
Eco 60
 Retired, Sprint 1

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Race History, from the official web site Archived March 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Roll of Honour (1982), from the official web site Archived March 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ The BOC Challenge 1982–1983 Results, from solocircumnavigation.com
  4. ^ Roll of Honour (1986), from the official web site Archived March 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ The BOC Challenge 1986–1987 Results, from solocircumnavigation.com
  6. ^ Roll of Honour (1990), from the official web site Archived March 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ The BOC Challenge 1990–1991 Results, from solocircumnavigation.com
  8. ^ Roll of Honour (1994), from the official web site Archived March 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ The BOC Challenge 1994–1995 Results, from solocircumnavigation.com
  10. ^ "Sailor's Fate Clouded in Sail Around the World: Racing: Of the 20 yachts that left South Carolina last September, 12 finished and one was lost at sea. Harry Mitchell's emergency beacon went off March 2, but no trace has been found of him or his boat". latimes.
  11. ^ Howe, Robert F. (1 March 1999) "The Deep End of the Sea", Time. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  12. ^ Roll of Honour (1998), from the official web site Archived March 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Around Alone 1998–1999 Results, from solocircumnavigation.com
  14. ^ 1998–99 Around Alone Results Archived 2005-11-11 at the Wayback Machine, from Torresen Marine
  15. ^ Alone Against The Sea - The Dangers Of Solo Sailing
  16. ^ "Virtual Surgery On The High Seas". cbsnews.com. 18 November 1998.
  17. ^ Cruising World, February 2008
  18. ^ Roll of Honour (2002), from the official web site Archived March 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ Overall results Archived 2005-12-19 at the Wayback Machine, for 2002, from Pindar's website
  20. ^ The Boats, from the official web site Archived December 31, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ Race Route, from the official web site Archived March 12, 2006, at the Wayback Machine

External links

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