Velux 5 Oceans Race Explained

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

Overview

The race was established in 1982 as the BOC Challenge, with main sponsorship from BOC. 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 1998, 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	Time
Class 1: 45 to 56 feet
	Credit Agricole	159 days
	Altech Voortrekker	170 days
Richard Broadhead	Perseverance of Medina	192 days
Neville Gosson	Leda Pier One	202 days
Desmond Hampton	Gipsy Moth V	Wrecked
Tony Lush	Lady Pepperell	Sunk Leg 2
Paul Rogers	Spirit of Pentax	Retired Leg 1
Dave White	Gladiator	Retired Leg 1
Class 2: 32 to 44 feet
	Koden Okera V	207 days
Francis Stokes	Mooneshine	209 days
	Nike III	213 days
Guy Bernadin	Ratso II	221 days
Dan Byrne	Fantasy	228 days
Richard McBride	City of Dunedin	264 days
Jacques de Roux	Skoiern III	Sunk Leg 3
Greg Coles	Datsun Skyline	Retired Leg 1
Thomas Lindholm	Driftwood	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	Time
Class 1: 50 to 60 feet
	Credit Agricole	134 days
	Ecureuil	137 days
Jean-Y Terlain	UAP	146 days
Guy Bernadin	Biscuit Lu	146 days
John Martin	Tuna Marine	147 days
	Triple M	156 days
	Stabilo Boss	163 days
Dave White	Legend Securities	164 days
Richard McBride	Kiwi Express	Retired Leg 1
John Biddlecombe	ACI Crusader	Retired Leg 1
Warren Luhrs	Thursday's Child	Retired Leg 2
Class 2: 40 to 50 feet
	Airco Distributor	157 days
	Let's Go	161 days
	Belmont Finland	168 days
	American Flag	171 days
Richard Konkolski	Declaration	172 days
Pentti Salmi	Colt by Rettig	175 days
Mark Schrader	Lone Star	175 days
John Hughes	Joseph Young	189 days
Dick Cross	Airforce	Retired Leg 1
Eduardo Louro de Almeida	Miss Global	Retired Leg 1
Mac Smith	Qualo	Retired Leg 1
Takao Shimada	Madonna	Retired Leg 1
Harry Mitchell	Double Cross	Retired Leg 3
Jacques de Roux	Skoiern IV	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	Time
Class 1: 50 to 60 feet
	Groupe Sceta	120 days
	Generali Concorde	122 days
	Credit Agricole IV	129 days
	Duracell	132 days
Kanga Birtles	Jarkan Yacht Builders	135 days
Dave Adams	Innkeeper	136 days
Isabelle Autissier	Ecureuil Poitou Charantes	139 days
	Grinaker	140 days
	BBV Expo '92	140 days
	Alba Regia	165 days
John Martin	Allied Bank	Sank Leg 3
John Biddlecombe	Interox Crusader	Retired Leg 1
	Kilcullen	Retired Leg 1
Class 2: 40 to 50 feet
Yves Dupasquier	Servant IV	141 days
Don McIntyre	Buttercup	153 days
	New Spirit of Ipswich	157 days
Jack Boye	Project City Kids	158 days
	Sebago	211 days
	Koden VIII	Retired Leg 2
Jane Weber	Tilley Endurable	Retired Leg 1
Corinthian class
Paul Thackleberry	Volcano	180 days
Robin Davie	Global Exposure	181 days
	Shuten Dohji	197 days
William Gilmore	Zafu	Retired Leg 1
Robert Hooke	Niihau 4	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	Time
Class 1: 50 to 60 feet
	Sceta-Calberson	121 days
Steve Pettengill	Hunters Child	128 days
	Vendee Enterprises	129 days
David Scully	Coyote	133 days
	Novell S.Africa	133 days
Arnet Taylor	Thursday's Child	200 days
	Gartmore	Sank Leg 1
Mark Gatehouse	QAB	Retired Leg 1
	Ecureuil Poitou-Charentes 2	Sank Leg 2
Class 2: 40 to 50 feet
Dave Adams	True Blue	131 days
	Kodak	134 days
Niah Vaughan	Jimroda II	166 days
	Newcastle Australia	181 days
Robin Davie	Cornwall	197 days
	Shuten Dohji II	223 days
Floyd Romak	Cardac 88	Retired Leg 1
Neal Petersen	Protect our Sealife	Retired Leg 2
	Town of Cervia	Retired Leg 2
Nigel Rowe	Skycatcher	Retired Leg 3
Harry Mitchell	Hornblower	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 1900nmi west of Cape Horn.^[11] ^[12]

The results:^[13] ^[14] ^[15]

Skipper	Boat	Time
Class 1: 50 to 60 feet
	Fila	116 days
	Somewhere	130 days
	Gartmore	Dismasted Leg 3
	Modern Unervisity For The Humanities	Retired Leg 2
	Group 4 Securitas	Retired Leg 2
Isabelle Autissier	PRB (1)	Capsized Leg 3 rescued by Giovanni Soldini
Sebastian Reidl	Project Amazon
Class 2: 40 to 50 feet
Jean Pierre Mouligne	Cray Valley	132 days
Michael Garside	Magellan Alpha	138 days
	Balance Bar	150 days
Viktor Yazykov	Wind of Change	168 days
	www.no-barriers.com	195 days
	Shuten Dohji II	203 days
Neil Hunter	Paladin II	216 days
Robin Davie	South Carolina	Disqualified Leg 2
George Stricker	Rapscallion III	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^[16] ^[17] ^[18]

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:^[19] ^[20]

Skipper	Boat	Time
Class 1: IMOCA Open 60
	Bobst Group - Armor Lux	49 pts 115 days
	Solidaires	45 pts 118 days
	Tiscali	35 pts 159 days
	Pindar	33 pts 131 days
	Ocean Planet	30 pts 159 days
Patrick Radigues	Garnier	Retired Leg 1
Graham Dalton	Hexagon HSBC	Retired Leg 3
Class 2: IMOCA Open 50
	Tommy Hilfiger	50 pts 148 days
Tim Kent	Everest Horizontal	44 pts 169 days
John Dennis	Bayer Ascensia	Retired Leg 2
Class 3: IMOCA Open 40
	Spirit of Canada	37 pts 245 days
Kojiro Shiraishi	Spirit of Yukoh	36 pts 180 days
Alan Paris	BTC Velocity	30 pts 202 days

The Velux 5 Oceans 2006–07

The 2006 edition covered a route of nautical miles ( 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).

Boat Name	Boat Type	Time
Cheminées Poujoulat		103 days
Spirit of Yukoh	Open 60	118 days
Pakea	Open 60	158 days
SAGA Insurance	Open 60	159 days
A Southern Man-AGD		Finished Leg 2
Ecover 3	Open 60	Retired Leg 1
Hugo Boss (1)	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.^[21]

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:^[22]

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 were all in the "Eco 60" class (Open 60 yachts built before 1 January 2003).

Boat Name	Boat Type	Total Time	Overall Place	Overall Points
Le Pingouin	Eco 60	118 days 10 hours 17 mins	1st	73
Operon Racing	Eco 60	140 days 14 hours 37 mins (including stopping in Brazil due to injury)	2nd	53
Active House	Eco 60	130 days 15 hours 42 mins	3rd	51
Spartan	Eco 60	140 days 4 hours 10 mins	4th	48
Five Ocean of Smiles	Eco 60	Retired, Sprint 1

Notes and References

http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19588 Race History
http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 Roll of Honour (1982)
http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloAroundTheWorldRaces/BOC_And_AA_Races/BOC82_83/boc_challeng_19821983_results.htm The BOC Challenge 1982–1983 Results
http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 Roll of Honour (1986)
http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloAroundTheWorldRaces/BOC_And_AA_Races/BOC82_83/bocchallenge_1986_1987_results.htm The BOC Challenge 1986–1987 Results
http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 Roll of Honour (1990)
http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloAroundTheWorldRaces/BOC_And_AA_Races/BOC90_91/BOC1990_91Results.htm The BOC Challenge 1990–1991 Results
http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 Roll of Honour (1994)
http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloAroundTheWorldRaces/BOC_And_AA_Races/BOC94_95/bocchallenge19941995results.htm The BOC Challenge 1994–1995 Results
Web site: 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.. Los Angeles Times.
Howe, Robert F. (1 March 1999) "The Deep End of the Sea", Time. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
News: 'I saved a friend lost in the South Pacific'. Financial Times. 11 March 2016.
http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 Roll of Honour (1998)
http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloAroundTheWorldRaces/BOC_And_AA_Races/AroundAlone98_99/AroundAlone1998Results.htm Around Alone 1998–1999 Results
http://www.torresen.com/aroundalone/results.htm 1998–99 Around Alone Results
Alone Against The Sea - The Dangers Of Solo Sailing
Web site: Virtual Surgery On The High Seas. 18 November 1998. cbsnews.com.
Cruising World, February 2008
http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 Roll of Honour (2002)
http://www.pindar.com/aroundalone/news/race_overall.html Overall results
http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19587 The Boats
http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19586 Race Route