The Ultimate Solo Challenge

- The race was conceived in 1982 and has taken place every four years since, celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2007

- It is the longest single-handed event in the world and considered 'The Ultimate Solo Challenge'

- The race is 30,000 nautical miles, or 55,000 km, and can last up to 6 months, with competitors spending over 100 days at sea alone. The race is completed in stages or legs, with stopovers in various host ports around the world

- Competitors race on Open 60 (60 foot long monohulls), considered the one of the most technologically advanced yachts on the oceans, which can reach top speeds of 35 knots (65 km/hour)

- Fewer people have sailed single-handed around the world in this race (64) than have been to space or climbed Mount Everest

- 7 boats have sunk or been shipwrecked and only 64 people have completed the course, representing only 65% of starters

- Waves around Cape Horn can reach 50 foot high and wind speeds of up to 80 knots

The Competitors

- Skippers must be able to navigate, read and understand weather charts as well as fix everything on the boat that might break

- Skippers regularly get no more than 30 minutes sleep in one go and normally average a total of between 2 and 5 hours in a 24 hour period

- The sailors eat a mixture of freeze-dried food, garlic and supplementary oils and may need to take in up to 7,000 calories a day in the Southern Ocean, as compared to an average of 1,500 and 2,500 calories per day for a woman and man respectively

- The seas are full of danger such as icebergs, whales, containers and debris, and skippers must be focused and vigilant when alone at sea