View source for Velux 5 Oceans Race

The '''Velux 5 Oceans Race''' was a round-the-world [[single-handed sailing|single-handed]] [[yacht racing|yacht race]], sailed in [[Race stage|stages]], managed by Clipper Ventures since 2000. Its most recent name comes from its main sponsor [[Velux]]. Originally known as the '''BOC Challenge''', for the title sponsor [[BOC (company)|BOC]], the first edition was in 1982. In the late 1990s the race was renamed the '''Around Alone'''. The 2010-11 race was the last to take place and attracted just five entries. The event has not been held since.

== Overview ==

The race was established in 1982 as the ''BOC Challenge'', with main sponsorship from [[BOC (company)|BOC]]. The race was inspired by the ''[[Golden Globe Race]]'', which was the first single-handed round-the-world [[yacht racing|yacht race]]. Although the ''Golden Globe'' was a non-stop race, the ''BOC Challenge'' concept was for a [[single-handed sailing|single-handed]] round-the-world race, to be run in stages (in contrast to the ''[[Vendée Globe]]'', which is non-stop).  As the longest single-handed event in the world, it was regarded as one of sailing's ultimate challenges.<ref>[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19588 ''Race History''], from the official web site  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172121/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19588 |date=March 12, 2006 }}</ref>

The race was run every four years.  The first edition was won by [[Philippe Jeantot]], who won all four legs of the race with an overall elapsed time of just over 159 days.  In 1998, the race was renamed the ''Around Alone''; for 2006, it is known as the Velux 5 Oceans Race.
<gallery>
File:1982-1983 and 1986-1987 BOC Challenge map-fr.svg|1982-1983 Route
File:1990-1991 BOC Challenge map-fr.svg|1990-1991 Route
File:1994-1995 BOC Challenge map-fr.svg|1994-1995 Route
File:Around Alone 1998-1999 map-fr.svg|1998-1999 Route
File:Around Alone 2002 map-fr.svg|2002 Route
File:2006-2007 Velux 5 Oceans map-fr.svg|2006-2007 Route
File:2010-2011 Velux 5 Oceans map-fr.svg|2010-2011 Route
</gallery>

== Past results ==

=== The ''BOC Challenge'' 1982–83 ===

Raced over four legs; [[Newport, Rhode Island]] — [[Cape Town]] — [[Sydney]] — [[Rio de Janeiro]] — Newport.  Two classes of boat were entered: Class 1, 45–56&nbsp;feet (13.7–17.1&nbsp;m); and Class 2, 32–44&nbsp;feet (9.7–13.4&nbsp;m).

Results:<ref>[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 ''Roll of Honour (1982)''], from the official web site  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172156/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 |date=March 12, 2006 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloAroundTheWorldRaces/BOC_And_AA_Races/BOC82_83/boc_challeng_19821983_results.htm ''The BOC Challenge 1982–1983 Results''], from solocircumnavigation.com</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!Skipper !!Boat !!Nationality !!Time
|-
|colspan=4 | '''Class 1: 45 to 56 feet'''
|-
| [[Philippe Jeantot]] || ''Credit Agricole'' || {{FRA}} || 159 days
|-
| [[Bertie Reed]] || ''[[Voortrekker (yacht)|Altech Voortrekker]]'' || {{RSA}} || 170 days
|-
| Richard Broadhead || ''Perseverance of Medina'' || {{UK}} || 192 days
|-
| Neville Gosson || ''Leda Pier One'' || {{AUS}} || 202 days
|-
| Desmond Hampton || ''Gipsy Moth V'' || {{UK}} || Wrecked
|-
| Tony Lush || ''Lady Pepperell'' || {{USA}} || Sunk Leg 2
|-
| Paul Rogers || ''Spirit of Pentax'' || {{UK}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
| Dave White || ''Gladiator'' || {{USA}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
|colspan=4 | '''Class 2: 32 to 44 feet'''
|-
| [[Yukoh Tada]] || ''Koden Okera V'' || {{JPN}} || 207 days
|-
| Francis Stokes || ''Mooneshine'' || {{USA}} || 209 days
|-
| [[Richard Konkolski]] || ''Nike III'' || {{USA}} || 213 days
|-
| Guy Bernadin || ''Ratso II'' || {{FRA}} || 221 days
|-
| Dan Byrne || ''Fantasy'' || {{USA}} || 228 days
|-
| Richard McBride || ''City of Dunedin'' || {{NZL}} || 264 days
|-
| Jacques de Roux || ''Skoiern III'' || {{FRA}} || Sunk Leg 3
|-
| Greg Coles || ''Datsun Skyline'' || {{NZL}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
| Thomas Lindholm || ''Driftwood'' || {{USA}} || Retired Leg 1
|}

=== The ''BOC Challenge'' 1986–87 ===

Raced over four legs; [[Newport, Rhode Island]] — [[Cape Town]] — [[Sydney]] — [[Rio de Janeiro]] — Newport.  Two classes of boat were entered: Class 1, 50–60&nbsp;feet (15.2–18.3&nbsp;m); and Class 2, 40–50&nbsp;feet (12.2–15.2&nbsp;m).  New safety rules were introduced for this race, including compulsory watertight bulkheads and a simple stability check.

Results:<ref>[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 ''Roll of Honour (1986)''], from the official web site  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172156/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 |date=March 12, 2006 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloAroundTheWorldRaces/BOC_And_AA_Races/BOC82_83/bocchallenge_1986_1987_results.htm ''The BOC Challenge 1986–1987 Results''], from solocircumnavigation.com</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!Skipper !!Boat !!Nationality !!Time
|-
|colspan=4 | '''Class 1: 50 to 60 feet'''
|-
| [[Philippe Jeantot]] || ''Credit Agricole'' || {{FRA}} || 134 days
|-
| [[Titouan Lamazou]] || ''Ecureuil'' || {{FRA}} || 137 days
|-
| Jean-Y Terlain || ''UAP'' || {{FRA}} || 146 days
|-
| Guy Bernadin || ''Biscuit Lu'' || {{FRA}} || 146 days
|-
| John Martin || ''Tuna Marine'' || {{RSA}} || 147 days
|-
| [[Ian Kiernan]] || ''Triple M'' || {{AUS}} || 156 days
|-
| [[Bertie Reed]] || ''[[Maiden (yacht)|Stabilo Boss]]'' || {{RSA}} || 163 days
|-
| Dave White || ''Legend Securities'' || {{USA}} || 164 days
|-
| Richard McBride || ''Kiwi Express'' || {{NZL}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
| John Biddlecombe || ''ACI Crusader'' || {{AUS}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
| Warren Luhrs || ''[[Thursday's Child (racing yacht)|Thursday's Child]]'' || {{USA}} || Retired Leg 2
|-
|colspan=4 | '''Class 2: 40 to 50 feet'''
|-
| [[Mike Plant]] || ''Airco Distributor'' || {{USA}} || 157 days
|-
| [[Jean-Luc Van Den Heede]] || ''Let's Go'' || {{FRA}} || 161 days
|-
| [[Harry Harkimo]] || ''[[Swan 51|Belmont Finland]]'' || {{FIN}} || 168 days
|-
| [[Hal Roth]] || ''American Flag'' || {{USA}} || 171 days
|-
| Richard Konkolski || ''Declaration'' || {{USA}} || 172 days
|-
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20101229164958/http://www.merikotka.net/ Pentti Salmi] || ''Colt by Rettig'' || {{FIN}} || 175 days
|-
| Mark Schrader || ''Lone Star'' || {{USA}} || 175 days
|-
| John Hughes || ''Joseph Young'' || {{CAN}} || 189 days
|-
| Dick Cross || ''Airforce'' || {{USA}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20091027014638/http://geocities.com/eduardolouro/  Eduardo Louro de Almeida] || ''Miss Global'' || {{BRA}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
| Mac Smith || ''Qualo'' || {{USA}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
| Takao Shimada || ''Madonna'' || {{JPN}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
| Harry Mitchell || ''Double Cross'' || {{UK}} || Retired Leg 3
|-
| Jacques de Roux || ''Skoiern IV'' || {{FRA}} || Lost at sea Leg 2
|}

=== The ''BOC Challenge'' 1990–91 ===

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, 50–60&nbsp;feet (15.2–18.3&nbsp;m); Class 2, 40–50&nbsp;feet (12.2–15.2&nbsp;m); and a Corinthian class.

Results:<ref>[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 ''Roll of Honour (1990)''], from the official web site  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172156/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 |date=March 12, 2006 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloAroundTheWorldRaces/BOC_And_AA_Races/BOC90_91/BOC1990_91Results.htm ''The BOC Challenge 1990–1991 Results''], from solocircumnavigation.com</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!Skipper !!Boat !!Nationality !!Time
|-
|colspan=4 | '''Class 1: 50 to 60 feet'''
|-
| [[Christophe Auguin]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Groupe Sceta|Groupe Sceta]]'' || {{FRA}} || 120 days
|-
| [[Alain Gautier]] || ''Generali Concorde'' || {{FRA}} || 122 days
|-
| [[Philippe Jeantot]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Credit Agricole 4|Credit Agricole IV]]'' || {{FRA}} || 129 days
|-
| [[Mike Plant]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Duracell|Duracell]]'' || {{USA}} || 132 days
|-
| Kanga Birtles || ''Jarkan Yacht Builders'' || {{AUS}} || 135 days
|-
| Dave Adams || ''Innkeeper'' || {{AUS}} || 136 days
|-
| [[Isabelle Autissier]]|| ''[[IMOCA 60 Eclipse|Ecureuil Poitou Charantes]]'' || {{FRA}} || 139 days
|-
| [[Bertie Reed]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Grinaker|Grinaker]]'' || {{RSA}} || 140 days
|-
| [[Jose de Ugarte]] || ''BBV Expo '92'' || {{ESP}} || 140 days
|-
| [[Nándor Fa]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Alba Regia|Alba Regia]]'' || {{HUN}} || 165 days
|-
| John Martin || ''Allied Bank'' || {{RSA}} || Sank Leg 3
|-
| John Biddlecombe || ''Interox Crusader'' || {{AUS}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
| [[Enda O'Coineen]] || ''Kilcullen'' || {{IRL}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
|colspan=4 | '''Class 2: 40 to 50 feet'''
|-
| Yves Dupasquier || ''Servant IV'' || {{FRA}} || 141 days
|-
| Don McIntyre || ''Buttercup'' || {{AUS}} || 153 days
|-
| [[Josh Hall (yachtsman)|Josh Hall]] || ''New Spirit of Ipswich'' || {{GBR}} || 157 days
|-
| Jack Boye || ''Project City Kids'' || {{USA}} || 158 days
|-
| [[Hal Roth]] || ''Sebago'' || {{USA}} || 211 days
|-
| [[Yukoh Tada]] || ''Koden VIII'' || {{JPN}} || Retired Leg 2
|-
| Jane Weber || ''Tilley Endurable'' || {{CAN}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
|colspan=4 | '''Corinthian class'''
|-
| Paul Thackaberry || ''Volcano'' || {{USA}} || 180 days
|-
| Robin Davie || ''Global Exposure'' || {{UK}} || 181 days
|-
| [[Minoru Saito]] || ''Shuten Dohji'' || {{JPN}} || 197 days
|-
| William Gilmore || ''Zafu'' || {{USA}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
| Robert Hooke || ''Niihau 4'' || {{USA}} || Retired Leg 3
|}

=== The ''BOC Challenge'' 1994–95 ===

The course was again changed for this edition, although it was still divided into four legs: [[Charleston, South Carolina]] — [[Cape Town]] — [[Sydney]] — [[Punta del Este]] — Charleston.  Two classes of boat were entered: Class 1, 50–60&nbsp;feet (15.2–18.3&nbsp;m); and Class 2, 40–50&nbsp;feet (12.2–15.2&nbsp;m).

Results:<ref>[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 ''Roll of Honour (1994)''], from the official web site  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172156/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 |date=March 12, 2006 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloAroundTheWorldRaces/BOC_And_AA_Races/BOC94_95/bocchallenge19941995results.htm ''The BOC Challenge 1994–1995 Results''], from solocircumnavigation.com</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!Skipper !!Boat !!Nationality !!Time
|-
|colspan=4 | '''Class 1: 50 to 60 feet'''
|-
| [[Christophe Auguin]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Sceta Calberson|Sceta-Calberson]]'' || {{FRA}} || 121 days
|-
| Steve Pettengill || ''Hunters Child'' || {{USA}} || 128 days
|-
| [[Jean-Luc Van Den Heede]] || ''Vendee Enterprises'' || {{FRA}} || 129 days
|-
| David Scully || ''Coyote'' || {{USA}} || 133 days
|-
| [[Jean-Jacques Provoyeur |JJ Provoyeur]] || ''Novell S.Africa'' || {{RSA}} || 133 days
|-
| Arnet Taylor || ''Thursday's Child'' || {{USA}} || 200 days
|-
| [[Josh Hall (yachtsman)|Josh Hall]] || ''Gartmore'' || {{UK}} || Sank Leg 1
|-
| Mark Gatehouse || ''QAB'' || {{UK}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
| [[Isabelle Autissier]] || ''Ecureuil Poitou-Charentes 2'' || {{FRA}} || Sank Leg 2
|-
|colspan=4 | '''Class 2: 40 to 50 feet'''
|-
| Dave Adams || ''True Blue'' || {{AUS}} || 131 days
|-
| [[Giovanni Soldini]] || ''Kodak'' || {{ITA}} || 134 days
|-
| Niah Vaughan || ''Jimroda II'' || {{UK}} || 166 days
|-
| [[Alan Nebauer]] || ''Newcastle Australia'' ||  {{AUS}} || 181 days
|-
| Robin Davie || ''Cornwall'' || {{UK}} || 197 days
|-
| [[Minoru Saito]] || ''Shuten Dohji II'' || {{JPN}} || 223 days
|-
| Floyd Romak || ''Cardac 88'' || {{USA}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
| Neal Petersen || ''Protect our Sealife'' || {{RSA}} || Retired Leg 2
|-
| [[Simone Bianchetti]] || ''Town of Cervia'' || {{ITA}} || Retired Leg 2
|-
| Nigel Rowe || ''Skycatcher'' || {{UK}} || Retired Leg 3
|-
| Harry Mitchell || ''Hornblower'' || {{UK}} || Lost at sea<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-07-16-mn-24575-story.html|title=Sailor's Fate Clouded in Sail Around the World: Racing: Of the 20 yachts that left South Carolina last September, 12 finished and one was lost at sea. Harry Mitchell's emergency beacon went off March 2, but no trace has been found of him or his boat.|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>
|}

=== The ''Around Alone'', 1998 ===

The course was again changed for this edition, although it was still divided into four legs: [[Charleston, South Carolina]] — [[Cape Town]] — [[Auckland]] — [[Punta del Este]] — Charleston.  Two classes of boat were entered: Class 1, 50–60&nbsp;feet (15.2–18.3&nbsp;m); and Class 2, 40–50&nbsp;feet (12.2–15.2&nbsp;m).

In this race Isabelle Autissier was rescued by fellow competitor [[Giovanni Soldini]] when her boat ''[[IMOCA 60 PRB|PRB]]'' capsized approximately {{convert|1900|nmi|km}} west of [[Cape Horn]].<ref>Howe, Robert F. (1 March 1999) [https://web.archive.org/web/20081203221317/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,990334,00.html "The Deep End of the Sea"], ''Time''. Retrieved 19 June 2010.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/a3cfa20e-e582-11e5-a09b-1f8b0d268c39|title='I saved a friend lost in the South Pacific'|newspaper=Financial Times|date=11 March 2016}}</ref>

The results:<ref>[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 ''Roll of Honour (1998)''], from the official web site  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172156/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 |date=March 12, 2006 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloAroundTheWorldRaces/BOC_And_AA_Races/AroundAlone98_99/AroundAlone1998Results.htm ''Around Alone 1998–1999 Results''], from solocircumnavigation.com</ref><ref>[http://www.torresen.com/aroundalone/results.htm ''1998–99 Around Alone Results''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051111130930/http://www.torresen.com/aroundalone/results.htm |date=2005-11-11 }}, from Torresen Marine</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!Skipper !!Boat !!Nationality !!Time
|-
|colspan=4 | '''Class 1: 50 to 60 feet'''
|-
| [[Giovanni Soldini]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Fila|Fila]]'' || {{ITA}} || 116 days
|-
| [[Marc Thiercelin]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Somewhere|Somewhere]]'' || {{FRA}} || 130 days
|-
| [[Josh Hall (yachtsman)|Josh Hall]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Gartmore|Gartmore]]'' || {{UK}} || Dismasted Leg 3
|-
| [[Fyodor Konyukhov]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Alba Regia|Modern Unervisity For The Humanities]]'' || {{RUS}} || Retired Leg 2
|-
| [[Mike Golding]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Group 4|Group 4 Securitas]]'' || {{UK}} || Retired Leg 2
|-
| [[Isabelle Autissier]]|| ''[[IMOCA 60 PRB|PRB (1)]]'' || {{FRA}} || Capsized Leg 3 <br>rescued by [[Giovanni Soldini]]
|-
| Sebastian Reidl || ''[[IMOCA 60 Project Amazon|Project Amazon]]'' || {{CAN}} ||
|-
|colspan=4 | '''Class 2: 40 to 50 feet'''
|-
| Jean Pierre Mouligne|| ''Cray Valley'' || {{FRA}} || 132 days
|-
| Michael Garside || ''Magellan Alpha'' || {{UK}} || 138 days
|-
| [[Brad van Liew]] || ''Balance Bar'' || {{USA}} || 150 days
|-
| Viktor Yazykov || ''Wind of Change'' || {{RUS}} || 168 days
|-
| [[Neal Petersen]] || ''www.no-barriers.com'' || {{RSA}} || 195 days
|-
| [[Minoru Saito]] || ''Shuten Dohji II'' || {{JPN}} || 203 days
|-
| Neil Hunter || ''Paladin II'' || {{AUS}} || 216 days
|-
| Robin Davie || ''South Carolina'' || {{USA}} || Disqualified Leg 2
|-
| George Stricker || ''Rapscallion III'' || {{USA}} || Retired Leg 2
|}

Viktor Yazykov is noted for performing surgery alone, at sea, on his elbow to drain a dangerous infection after injuring his elbow during the race.  He emailed a doctor who provided instructions for his treatment<ref>Alone Against The Sea - The Dangers Of Solo Sailing</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/virtual-surgery-on-the-high-seas/|title=Virtual Surgery On The High Seas|date=18 November 1998|work=cbsnews.com}}</ref><ref>Cruising World, February 2008</ref>

=== The ''Around Alone'', 2002 ===

The course was again changed for this edition, this time spanning five legs: [[Newport, Rhode Island]]/[[New York City|New York]] — [[Brixham]], [[Devon]] — [[Cape Town]] — [[Tauranga]] — [[Salvador, Brazil]] — Newport.  Although the race technically started and ended in Newport, it was preceded by a "prologue race", in which the boats with crews of up to five raced to New York, to take part in ''Sail for America'', a major sailing event marking the first anniversary of the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]].  The main ''Around Alone'' event started from New York, and finished back in Newport.

Three classes of boat were entered: Class 1, IMOCA Open 60; Class 2, IMOCA Open 50; and Class 3, IMOCA Open 40.

Results:<ref>[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 ''Roll of Honour (2002)''], from the official web site  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172156/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19942 |date=March 12, 2006 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.pindar.com/aroundalone/news/race_overall.html ''Overall results''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219080716/http://www.pindar.com/aroundalone/news/race_overall.html |date=2005-12-19 }}, for 2002, from ''Pindar''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s website</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!Skipper !!Boat !!Nationality !!Time
|-
|colspan=4 | '''Class 1: IMOCA Open 60'''
|-
| [[Bernard Stamm]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Super Bigou|Bobst Group - Armor Lux]]'' || {{flag|Switzerland}} || 49 pts 115 days
|-
| [[Thierry Dubois]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Solidaires|Solidaires]]'' || {{FRA}} || 45 pts 118 days
|-
| [[Simone Bianchetti]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Whirlpool 2|Tiscali]]'' || {{ITA}} || 35 pts 159 days
|-
| [[Emma Richards (yachtswoman)|Emma Richards]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Gartmore|Pindar]]'' || {{UK}} || 33 pts 131 days
|-
| [[Bruce Schwab]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Ocean Planet|Ocean Planet]]'' || {{USA}} || 30 pts 159 days
|-
| Patrick Radigues || ''[[IMOCA 60 Aquitaine Innovations|Garnier]]'' || {{BEL}} || Retired Leg 1
|-
| Graham Dalton || ''[[IMOCA 60 Hexagon|Hexagon HSBC]]'' || {{NZL}} || Retired Leg 3
|-
|colspan=4 | '''Class 2: IMOCA Open 50'''
|-
| [[Brad van Liew]] || ''Tommy Hilfiger'' || {{USA}} || 50 pts 148 days
|-
| Tim Kent || ''Everest Horizontal'' || {{USA}} || 44 pts 169 days
|-
| John Dennis || ''Bayer Ascensia'' || {{CAN}} || Retired Leg 2
|-
|colspan=4 | '''Class 3: IMOCA Open 40'''
|-
| [[Derek Hatfield]] || ''Spirit of Canada'' || {{CAN}} || 37 pts 245 days
|-
| Kojiro Shiraishi || ''Spirit of Yukoh'' || {{JPN}} || 36 pts 180 days
|-
| Alan Paris || ''BTC Velocity'' || {{BER}} || 30 pts 202 days
|}

=== The ''Velux 5 Oceans'' 2006–07 ===

The 2006 edition covered a route of {{formatnum:30140}}&nbsp;[[nautical mile]]s ({{formatnum:55820}}&nbsp;km). The race started in [[Bilbao]] (Spain), on October 22, 2006, and finished there. There were only two stops, in [[Fremantle, Western Australia|Fremantle]] (Australia) and [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]] (USA).

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Skipper Name !! Boat Name !! Nationality !! Boat Type !! Time
|-
| [[Bernard Stamm]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Foncia|Cheminées Poujoulat]]''  || {{SUI}}  || [[Open 60]] || 103 days
|-
| [[Kojiro Shiraishi]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Union Bancaire Privée|Spirit of Yukoh]]'' || {{JPN}} || Open 60 || 118 days
|-
| [[Unai Basurko]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 BBK|Pakea]]'' || {{ESP}} / [[Basque Country (historical territory)|Basque]] || Open 60 || 158 days
|-
| [[Robin Knox-Johnston|Sir Robin Knox-Johnston]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Fila|SAGA Insurance]]'' || {{GBR}} || Open 60 || 159 days 
|-
| [[Graham Dalton]] || ''A Southern Man-AGD'' || {{NZL}} || [[Open 50]] || Finished Leg 2
|-
| [[Mike Golding]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Ecover 3|Ecover 3]]'' || {{GBR}} || Open 60 || Retired Leg 1
|-
| [[Alex Thomson (sailor)|Alex Thomson]] || ''[[IMOCA 60 Sill|Hugo Boss (1)]]'' || {{GBR}} || Open 60 || Abandoned Leg 1
|}

The race was open to monohull yachts conforming to the [[International Monohull Open Classes Association|Open 50 and Open 60]] class criteria.  The Open classes are unrestricted in certain aspects but a box rule governs parameters such as overall length, draught, appendages and stability, as well as numerous other safety features.<ref>[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19587 ''The Boats''], from the official web site  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051231060918/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19587 |date=December 31, 2005 }}</ref>

The race took place in stages, with the skippers having the chance to rest and refit at each stop-over point.  Different staging points have been used over the years; the races prior to the 1998 event were run in four legs, and the 1998 event in five legs.  The 2006 edition had the longest stages of any edition to date, with just three legs:<ref>[http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19586 ''Race Route''], from the official web site  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312172136/http://www.velux5oceans.com/da/19586 |date=March 12, 2006 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! From !! To !! Expected Start !! Expected Finish !! Length ([[nautical mile|nm]])
|-
| [[Bilbao]], Spain || [[Fremantle, Western Australia|Fremantle]], Australia || October 22, 2006 || Early December 2006 || 11,730
|-
| [[Fremantle, Western Australia|Fremantle]], Australia || [[Norfolk, Virginia]], USA || January 7, 2007 || Mid March 2007 || 14,500
|-
| [[Norfolk, Virginia]], USA || [[Bilbao]], Spain || April 15, 2007 || End of April 2007 || 3,910
|}

The total length for the 2006 edition was 30,140&nbsp;[[nautical mile]]s (55,820&nbsp;km).

=== The ''Velux 5 Oceans'' 2010–11 ===
The 2010 edition of the race started in [[La Rochelle]] (France), on October 17, 2010, and finished in the same port. Stopovers were [[Cape Town]] (South Africa), [[Wellington]] (New Zealand), [[Punta del Este]] (Uruguay), and [[Charleston, South Carolina]] (USA). The sailboats were all in the "Eco 60" class (Open 60 yachts built before 1 January 2003).

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Skipper Name !! Nationality !! Boat Name !! Boat Type !! Total Time !! Overall Place !! Overall Points
|-
| [[Brad Van Liew]] || {{USA}}  || ''[[IMOCA 60 Whirlpool 2|Le Pingouin]]''  ||<div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">Eco 60</div>|| 118 days 10 hours 17 mins || 1st || 73
|-
| [[Zbigniew Gutkowski]] || {{POL}}  || ''[[IMOCA 60 Bagages Superior|Operon Racing]]''  ||<div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">Eco 60</div>|| 140 days 14 hours 37 mins (including stopping in Brazil due to injury) || 2nd || 53
|-
| [[Derek Hatfield]] || {{CAN}}  || ''[[IMOCA 60 Solidaires|Active House]]''  ||<div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">Eco 60</div>|| 130 days 15 hours 42 mins || 3rd || 51
|-
| [[Chris Stanmore-Major]] || {{GBR}}  || ''[[IMOCA 60 Fila|Spartan]]''  ||<div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">Eco 60</div>|| 140 days 4 hours 10 mins|| 4th || 48
|-
| [[Christophe Bullens]] || {{BEL}}  || ''[[IMOCA 60 Frutif|Five Ocean of Smiles]]''  ||<div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">Eco 60</div>|| Retired, Sprint 1 || 
|-
|}

==See also==
*[[Vendée Globe]]
*[[Barcelona World Race]]
*[[Route du Rhum]]
*[[Volvo Ocean Race]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{Offshore sailing races}}

[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1982]]
[[Category:Round-the-world sailing competitions]]
[[Category:Single-handed crew sailing competitions]]
[[Category:IMOCA 60 class sailing competitions]]