During the first non-stop, single-handed, circumnavigation of the planet, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston recorded an entry in his log that reveals, in part, the attraction of a solo voyage: "I was sailing around the world simply because I bloody well wanted to - and, I realised, I was thoroughly enjoying myself."

The competitors in the 2006 VELUX 5 OCEANS displayed a broad spectrum of motives, goals and emotions behind entering this demanding and dangerous sailing challenge. In a similar manner to Knox-Johnson's 1960s triumph, some of the less seasoned skippers are driven by the nature of the event: Unai Basurko and Graham Dalton represent sailors for whom a solo circumnavigation is the ultimate sporting event, a supreme test of their seamanship and human endurance.

The experienced professionals - Mike Golding, Alex Thomson and Bernard Stamm - are driven by the competitive aspect of the racing, the tactics and the podium's top spot, while Japanese yachtsman, Kojiro Shiraishi, is rapidly asserting himself on the offshore, solo-sailing circuit with victory a prime objective.