# 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 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.
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.
* 1982-1983 Route
* 1990-1991 Route
* 1994-1995 Route
* 1998-1999 Route
* 2002 Route
* 2006-2007 Route
* 2010-2011 Route

## 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:
| 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:
| 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:
| 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:
| 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 |

### 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.
The results:
| 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 Unervisity For The Humanities | Russia | Retired Leg 2 |
| Mike Golding | Group 4 Securitas | United Kingdom | Retired Leg 2 |
| Isabelle Autissier | PRB (1) | France | Capsized Leg 3 rescued by Giovanni Soldini |
| 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

### 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:
| 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 3 | United Kingdom | Open 60 | Retired Leg 1 |
| Alex Thomson | Hugo Boss (1) | 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.
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:
| 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).
| 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 | |