Velux 5 Oceans Race

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.[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19588 Race History], from the official web site {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172121/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19588 |date=March 12, 2006 }}

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.

File:1982-1983 and 1986-1987 BOC Challenge map-fr.svg|1982-1983 Route

File:1990-1991 BOC Challenge map-fr.svg|1990-1991 Route

File:1994-1995 BOC Challenge map-fr.svg|1994-1995 Route

File:Around Alone 1998-1999 map-fr.svg|1998-1999 Route

File:Around Alone 2002 map-fr.svg|2002 Route

File:2006-2007 Velux 5 Oceans map-fr.svg|2006-2007 Route

File:2010-2011 Velux 5 Oceans map-fr.svg|2010-2011 Route

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:[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 Roll of Honour (1982)], from the official web site {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172156/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 |date=March 12, 2006 }}[http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloAroundTheWorldRaces/BOC_And_AA_Races/BOC82_83/boc_challeng_19821983_results.htm The BOC Challenge 1982–1983 Results], from solocircumnavigation.com

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:[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 Roll of Honour (1986)], from the official web site {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172156/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 |date=March 12, 2006 }}[http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloAroundTheWorldRaces/BOC_And_AA_Races/BOC82_83/bocchallenge_1986_1987_results.htm The BOC Challenge 1986–1987 Results], from solocircumnavigation.com

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:[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 Roll of Honour (1990)], from the official web site {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172156/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 |date=March 12, 2006 }}[http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloAroundTheWorldRaces/BOC_And_AA_Races/BOC90_91/BOC1990_91Results.htm The BOC Challenge 1990–1991 Results], from solocircumnavigation.com

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:[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 Roll of Honour (1994)], from the official web site {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172156/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 |date=March 12, 2006 }}[http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloAroundTheWorldRaces/BOC_And_AA_Races/BOC94_95/bocchallenge19941995results.htm The BOC Challenge 1994–1995 Results], from solocircumnavigation.com

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 {{convert|1900|nmi|km}} west of Cape Horn.Howe, Robert F. (1 March 1999) [https://web.archive.org/web/20081203221317/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,990334,00.html "The Deep End of the Sea"], Time. Retrieved 19 June 2010.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/a3cfa20e-e582-11e5-a09b-1f8b0d268c39|title='I saved a friend lost in the South Pacific'|newspaper=Financial Times|date=11 March 2016}}

The results:[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 Roll of Honour (1998)], from the official web site {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172156/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 |date=March 12, 2006 }}[http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloAroundTheWorldRaces/BOC_And_AA_Races/AroundAlone98_99/AroundAlone1998Results.htm Around Alone 1998–1999 Results], from solocircumnavigation.com[http://www.torresen.com/aroundalone/results.htm 1998–99 Around Alone Results] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051111130930/http://www.torresen.com/aroundalone/results.htm |date=2005-11-11 }}, from Torresen Marine

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 treatmentAlone Against The Sea - The Dangers Of Solo Sailing{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/virtual-surgery-on-the-high-seas/|title=Virtual Surgery On The High Seas|date=18 November 1998|work=cbsnews.com}}Cruising World, February 2008

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:[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 Roll of Honour (2002)], from the official web site {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172156/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 |date=March 12, 2006 }}[http://www.pindar.com/aroundalone/news/race_overall.html Overall results] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219080716/http://www.pindar.com/aroundalone/news/race_overall.html |date=2005-12-19 }}, for 2002, from Pindar's website

The 2006 edition covered a route of {{formatnum:30140}} nautical miles ({{formatnum:55820}} 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).

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.[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19587 The Boats], from the official web site {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051231060918/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19587 |date=December 31, 2005 }}

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:[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19586 Race Route], from the official web site {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172136/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19586 |date=March 12, 2006 }}

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

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).

• Vendée Globe
• Barcelona World Race
• Route du Rhum
• Volvo Ocean Race

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Offshore sailing races}}

Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1982

Category:Round-the-world sailing competitions

Category:Single-handed crew sailing competitions

Category:IMOCA 60 class sailing competitions