NEW NAME, NEW SPONSOR, NEW FORMAT

2007 marked the 25th anniversary of this solo round the world race, know previously as the BOC Challenge and Around Alone. For the seventh running of the race, Clipper Ventures welcomed VELUX, the leading manufacturer of roof windows, blinds, skylights and sun tunnels as title sponsor for its singlehanded round the world race.

THE ORIGINAL

The VELUX 5 OCEANS is the original single-handed round the world yacht race. Run every 4 years since 1982, the race is the longest and toughest event for any individual in any sport. Single-handed around the world's oceans in thoroughbred racing yachts represents the ultimate odyssey. The ultimate in human endeavour, only 90 people have so far finished the challenge.

The BOC Challenge 1982

- 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)
Based on David White's original concept, the inaugural BOC Challenge got away at the end of August 1982 with a fleet of 17 boats racing via South Africa, the Southern Ocean and beyond.

They were a rag-tag bunch, but among them one entry stood out, an unknown Frenchman by the name of Philippe Jeantot. [He arrived with a purpose-built 56 foot sloop named Credit Agricole, and went on to win all four legs of the race with an overall elapsed time of just over 159 days. Class 2 was won by a Zen Buddhist cab driver from Tokyo by the name of Yukoh Tada. As expected the race had its dramatic moments, with two rescues.

The BOC Challenge 1986

- Raced over four legs; Newport, Rhode Island - Cape Town - Sydney - Rio de Janeiro - Newport. Two classes of boat were entered: Class 1, from 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

The second BOC Challenge built on the success of the first with 25 sailors setting out from Newport, and 11 new boats were specifically designed and built for the race. Philippe Jeantot found himself up against some stiff competition.

South African John Martin won the first leg while Titouan Lamazou took Leg 2. It was only the consistent performance by Jeantot that finally led him to his second victory, clipping almost 25 days off his previous time. American Mike Plant won Class 2 finishing in 157 days.

The BOC Challenge 1990

- 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, from 50-60 feet (15.2-18.3 m); Class 2, 40-50 feet (12.2-15.2 m); and a Corinthian class

By now the radical Open Class designs had become even more extreme, with beamy, water-ballasted, carbon fiber boats carrying massive sail plans.

Jeantot's more conservative design was no match against that of his fellow countrymen Christophe Auguin sailing Group Sceta, and Alain Gautier aboard Generali Concorde. Auguin and Gautier took first and second places respectively leaving Jeantot a distant third. Class 2 was won by yet another French sailor, Yves Dupasquier, who won all four legs.