In October 2006, Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain) welcomed eight solo sailors to the port of Gexto. The skippers were a diverse mix of nationalities and personalities, but all of whom were preparing to take on The Ultimate Solo Challenge to sail single-handed around the world in the VELUX 5 OCEANS 2006-07. Bilbao had their local hero in Unai Basurko, a first time solo circumnavigator, whilst Bernard Stamm of Switzerland had returned to defend his title from 2002. Stamm faced stiff competition from two of Britian's finest solo sailing talents, the highly experienced Mike Golding, the FICO World Champion, and the rising star of Alex Thomson.

The dark horse of the race was the Japanese adventurer Kojiro Shiraishi, whilst the race also welcomed a true sailing legend in 68 year old Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. Also on the start line was experienced New Zealand yachtsman, racing onboard the only 50 foot boat. Although Graham Dalton competed in the only boat in his class, the race was more a personal journey in memory of his son Tony, who had died of cancer less than a year before the start. The final competitor was aspiring American skipper Tim Troy. Troy had sacrificed everything in an effort to fulfil his lifelong ambition to sail around the world, but was in a race against the clock to ensure he could compete in his 60 foot yacht, Margaret Anna.

The intriguing blend of competitors looked set to create a number of stories and public interest. But as the teams prepared for the start, nobody could have forseseen the dramas that would capture the attention of the global media and people around the world. American dreamer Tim Troy lost his race against time to gain IMOCA certification for his 60 footer, and he took the devastating decision to pull out of the race and give up his dream to race in the 2006 VELUX 5 OCEANS. Meanwhile, a raging storm that rolled in from the Bay of Biscay only 2 days before the start damaged the 50 footer of Graham Dalton, who was forced to start a week later. The storm should have served as a warning to what lay in store for the other skippers...

The VELUX 5 OCEANS 2006-07 started on 22nd October 2006. It was the beginning of an epic journey around the world as six IMOCA Open 60 yachts crossed the start line and began their 12,000 mile journey to Fremantle (Western Australia). The first leg would see the fleet passing through the notoriously frustrating Doldrums, before passing south of the Cape of Good Hope and into the Southern Ocean, before arriving at the sunny shores of Western Australia.

However, 24 hours into the first leg, it was the Bay of Biscay that would create the first of many dramas in The Ultimate Solo Challenge. A massive storm with hurricane force winds moved in over Cape Finisterre and battered the fleet, testing the skills, resolve and mettle of all the competitors. Only 2 skippers made it through without having to make for land to undertake repairs, Stamm and Shiraishi. Alex Thomson on Hugo Boss was forced to stop in Gijon after suffering ripped sails, whilst both Golding (Ecover) and Knox-Johnston (Saga Insurance) made for La Coruna after suffering damage from numerous knockdowns by the massive waves and wind. Basurko onboard Pakea returned to Bilbao, knowing he could repair his sails and boat with his shore team in his home port.

All the boats had to respect the 48 hour time penalty for receiving outside assistance and putting into port, meaning Stamm and Shiraishi developed a healthy lead as they pointed south to the equator. The images of the storm went around the world in print and television news, illustrating the harsh realities of The Ultimate Solo Challenge.

As all the fleet returned to the race track, Thomson and Golding fixed their sights on reigning in Stamm. The result was a high speed drag race across the Atlantic in which the 2 skippers, fierce rivals on and off the water, began to push their boats harder and faster to catch Stamm and stay in front of the other. Unfortunately, this private battle would end in disaster for both yachts...

As the British boats raced East a few thousand miles south of Cape Town in the cold expanses of the Southern Ocean, Alex Thomson reported structural failure to the keel of Hugo Boss. The keel was swinging lose beneath his yacht - with a storm system rapidly moving towards his position, Thomson informed the race director that he would need to abandon his yacht. Fellow British skipper Mike Golding, the nearest competitor in second place at the time, immediately responded to the request for assistance and turned back upwind to assist his compatriot and fellow competitor.

The pair undertook an amazing mid-ocean rescue, leaving Hugo Boss alone to the sea. However, only 6 hours after rescuing Thomson, Golding's mast smashed in three places. Ecover limped to Cape Town but 2 of the strongest contenders were now suddenly out of the race. The rescue, which had been broadcast live to TV news stations around the world, saw Golding receive numerous awards and accolades for his bravery and skill.

Back at the front of the fleet, Stamm and Shiraishi arrived into Fremantle in first and second respectively, with a large lead over Knox-Johnston and Basurko, who had been battling through the Southern Ocean, with Knox-Johnston even taking a dip off Saga Insurance. Dalton had a first leg of many challenges, stopping in Madeira and the Kerguelen Islands to make repairs.

As the New Zealander approached Western Australia, he was hit by one of the biggest storms of the race. The experienced yachtsman even rang his wife to say goodbye as he believed his days were numbered. However, he survived to arrive in Fremantle with a shredded mainsail and battered yacht. On arrival, his wife informed him that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer since race start and had undergone surgery. Not wanting to take his focus off the competition, she had decided not to tell him until he reached land; luckily, the cancer was caught and did not return.

Following a period of repairs in the glorious Australian sunshine, the fleet set off on the 14,200 mile leg to Nofolk Virginia, a huge ocean stage that takes the boats through the coldest extremes of the Southern Ocean and around the last major cape of the race, the legendary Cape Horn. Bernard Stamm sailed with skill and determination, diving deep south into the ice fields in order to ride a huge weather system, putting him well ahead of the fleet. Shiraishi continued to impress in second place in his first ever race in the bigger class, whilst the battle for third intensified between Basurko and Knox-Johnston.

By the time Stamm and Shiraishi arrived in Norfolk they had cemented their positions in first and second respectively, and only needed to complete the final trans-Atlantic sprint to secure their podium finish. Basurko and Knox-Johnston finished in Virginia and were separated by just over 24 hours, meaning the final leg would determine whether the final podium spot would go to the first time solo sailor or the legend of ocean racing.

Meanwhile, Graham Dalton's journey in the VELUX 5 OCEANS continued to be a rollercoaster ride of drama and emotion. Forced to stop in his native New Zealand after his rations became contaminated with diesel, he again stopped in the Falkland Islands to make boat repairs. Upon returning to the race track, disaster struck again as rudder damage forced him into Fortaleza in Brazil. However, the Brazilian city did not end in success, as a stomach virus laid him out for days and thieves raided his yacht, stealing all his electrical equipment.

Finally ready to leave, he realised that the bulb had fallen off his keel in harbour. However, never one to give up without a fight, Dalton set about making repairs. He eventually made it to Norfolk, but the delays at sea meant he would no longer be classified as a finisher. But the tough Kiwi finished his spiritual journey to Bilbao, completing the solo circumnavigation in memory of his son and despite the huge challenges the race presented, both professionally and personally.

The final leg (3,200 miles) to Bilbao saw the Japanese adventurer chase defending champion Stamm all the way to the finishing line. The Swiss skipper kept up his 100% record of leg victories and defended his title with skill and style. Shiraishi finished less than one hour behind Stamm and the two skippers, now close friends, celebrated the conclusion of The Ultimate Solo Challenge in front of a crowd of hundreds in the port of Gexto.

Stamm sailed an impeccable race, combining speed and safety, with tactical assurance, to defend his title and cement his name in the history books as one of the greatest solo ocean racers. Shiraishi become the first Asian sailor to secure a podium finish in the 60 foot class and created an amazing impression on the global sailing world as one to watch in the future.

Basurko and Knox-Johnston pushed themselves hard all the way to the finish line in Bilbao. Although the sailing legend arrived into Bilbao ahead of the local hero, Basurko finished in time to claim third place in the overall rankings. A podium finish for the first time circumnavigator was celebrated by hundreds of spectator craft that went out to meet the local boy. However, Knox-Johnston had achieved what many had said was impossible. At the incredible age of 69, he completed The Ultimate Solo Challenge, which saw him awarded the title of UK Yachtsman of the Year for an unprecedented third time in recognition of his unbelievable achievement and the interest he created in the media and public around the world.

The VELUX 5 OCEANS 2006-07 had delivered unforeseen stories of drama and emotion. Despite a small fleet, the race had captured the imagination of people across the planet and had taken the race back to the forefront of professional ocean racing. The Ultimate Solo Challenge is set to take to the water again in 2010 and aspires to create a new dimension in ocean racing, creating a race platform that is even more successful and far reaching than in 2006-07.