The distances between ports were longer, stopovers fewer and time in port shorter. This, and racing singlehanded across 30,000 miles of ocean, tortured by sleep deprivation, battered by treacherous seas and raging winds makes up The Ultimate Solo Challenge.

The VELUX 5 OCEANS 2006/07 was one of the most successful round the world yacht races in history, delivering over EUR 65 million media value to all stakeholders. The rcce created global impact and media exposure (Europe, Australasia, Asia and North America), with numerous landmark features outside of the sports pages/programming across the planet, including New York Times, Toronto Star, Fuji TV (live link 2/week on morning news), Sunday Times Magazine, Esquire

The race was an enjoyable experience for all skippers, teams and people involved with the event, as well as providing a significant and tangible return on investment for the sponsors of the competing yachts

Success was achieved through a combination of factors:

Innovative and integrated communications program that focused on the skippers in the race as the central characters ("HEROES"), communicating their personalities and stories through imagery and content that engaged with media and audiences beyond pure sailing and sports

A 12-part TV documentary shown across 29 countries and 4 airlines, including unprecedented deal with Channel 4 (UK)

Cutting edge broadband TV platform with documentary and regular video content (now adopted by Volvo Ocean Race)

Over 25,000 images downloaded from online picture gallery and 25,000 viewings of race footage on YouTube

Media team that had the experience, motivation, assets and budgets to maximise the dramatic events of the race, including the Bay of Biscay Storm and the Southern Ocean Rescue

Onboard communication package that included LiveWIre video links, cameras and airtime budget to encourage content and TV news links

Creative event planning to create imagery and scenes that brought the skippers closer to the public and promoted the reality of the strong brand promise of "The Ultimate Solo Challenge"

This race brand identity was reflected through every channel of communication, event management and marketing efforts

The result was that VELUX re-signed as title sponsor for the 2010 event within six months of race finish and positive feedback from all stakeholders, plus new interest from host ports, skippers and partners.