The History of the Velux 5 Oceans Round-the-world Yacht Race

Jan 28, 2011
Genevieve Howard

The Velux 5 Oceans is a single-handed round-the-world yacht race that began in 1982 as the BOC Challenge. It is the longest single-handed sailing event.

The BOC Challenge was first sailed in 1982 as a concept of a single-handed round-the-world yacht race completed in stages. It is the longest single-handed sailing event in the world. The race became the Around Alone in 1998, and the Velux 5 Oceans in 2006.

1982 (BOC Challenge)

The Route: Newport, United States - Cape Town, South Africa - Sydney, Australia - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Newport

Frenchman Philippe Jeantot won the first BOC challenge in 159 days, racing the Credit Agricole. British entrant Desmond Hampton fell asleep, wrecking his yacht. The eccentric Japanese entrant – a saxophone playing cabbie, Yukoh Tada won class two in 207 days.

1986

The Route: Newport, United States - Cape Town, South Africa - Sydney, Australia - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Newport

Philippe Jeantot returned to successfully defend his title in 134 days. The winner of class two was American Mike Plant (157 days). There was one fatality: Frenchman Jacques de Roux drowned when he was washed overboard on leg two.

1990

The Route: Newport, United States - Cape Town, South Africa - Sydney, Australia - Punta del Este, Uruguay - Newport

Philippe Jeantot returned to defend his title but was defeated by fellow Frenchman Alan Gautier and Christophe Auguin – who entered the new Open 60s into the race for the first time. Auguin set a new race record with 120 days, beating Jeantot’s time by 14 days. Yukoh Tada retired in leg two.

Isabelle Autissier

1994

The Route: Charleston, United States - Cape Town, South Africa - Sydney, Australia - Punta del Este, Uruguay - Charleston

Isabelle Autissier – the first woman to complete a solo world navigation in a competition (the BOC Challenge in 1991) – won the first leg six days ahead of her competitors. The Frenchwoman was forced to retire on leg two, after her yacht, the PRB, rolled twice and sank in the Southern Ocean.

Christophe Auguin successfully defended his class one title in 121 days. David Adams of Australia won class two in 131 days.

British entrant Harry Mitchell and his yacht, the Double Cross, disappeared at sea.

1998 (Around Alone)

The Route: Charleston, USA - Cape Town, South Africa - Auckland, New Zealand - Punta del Este, Uruguay - Charleston

Isabelle Autissier retired from the race on leg three after her yacht, the PRB, rolled and sank in the Southern Ocean. She was rescued by race winner Giovanni Soldini (116 days) of Italy.

British entrant Mike Golding ran the Group 4 Securitus aground on leg two.

2002

The Route: Newport, USA - Brixham, UK - Cape Town, South Africa - Tauranga, New Zealand - Salvador, Brazil - Newport

Bernard Stamm of Switzerland won class one in 115 days. The winner of class two was American Brad Van Liew (currently competing in the 2010 Velux 5 Oceans), who won each leg of his class. Derek Hatfield (also currently competing in the 2010 Velux 5 Oceans) of Canada won class three in 245 days.

2006 (Velux 5 Oceans)

The Route: Bilbao, Spain - Fremantle, Australia - Norfolk, USA - Bilbao

Bernard Stamm successfully defended his title in 103 days. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston finished fourth (159 days) aged 68.