Race route
Ocean Sprint 1: La Rochelle to Cape Town - 7,500 nautical miles
Start date: October 17
The first ocean sprint will see the fleet battle through the notorious Bay of Biscay before pushing hard through the Atlantic and the frustrating calm of the Doldrums to their destination of Cape Town, South Africa, where the two great oceans meet.
Ocean Sprint 2: Cape Town to Wellington - 7,000 nautical miles
Start date: December 12
Another big, long leg awaits the ocean racers as they take on the expanses of the Indian Ocean. It is here they will encounter the worst weather conditions known to man – howling winds, freezing temperatures and mountainous seas. If it is their first time in the Indian Ocean they will be feeling pretty vulnerable. They will live in their soaked thermal clothing as they blast through the bleak wetness towards New Zealand.
Ocean Sprint 3: Wellington to Punta del Este - 5,800 nautical miles
Start date: February 6
Heading further south still, the ocean racers will make their way into the vast South Pacific passing the legendary Nemo Point, the most remote point on the planet. Apart from their fellow skippers, they couldn't be further away from civilisation – or help. The notorious Cape Horn then awaits where large South Atlantic rollers hit the shallow waters off the Horn and become a different beast altogether – choppy, unpredictable and deadly. An upwind leg to the finish in Punta del Este, and an escape from the foul weather of the deep south.
Ocean Sprint 4: Punta del Este to Charleston - 5,700 nautical miles
Start date: March 27
The sun will be shining and the temperature warm – but it wont be easy going for the ocean racers. Another battle with the light, unpredictable airs of the Doldrums, the relative consistency of the north east tradewinds and the heavy weather of the North Atlantic face the fleet on ocean sprint four, as they make their way up the coast of South and Central America.
Ocean Sprint 5: Charleston to La Rochelle - 3,600 nautical miles
Start date: May 14
'Sprint' really encapsulates what the finale to the VELUX 5 OCEANS will be: an all out adrenaline-fuelled race across the North Atlantic and back into the Bay of Biscay, where La Rochelle will celebrate the unique achievements of the skippers in completing The Ultimate Solo Challenge. They are expected to arrive in La Rochelle in early June 2011 with prize giving on June 11.