What: The fifth and final ocean sprint of the VELUX 5 OCEANS solo, around-the world race will start today from Charleston SC (USA), and the four remaining skippers will sprint towards La Rochelle, France to complete their global circumnavigation which started there on October 17, 2010.
Who: The skippers are Brad Van Liew (USA), Zbigniew ‘Gutek’ Gutkowski (POL), Derek Hatfield (CAN) and Chris Stanmore-Major (GB). Brad will secure overall victory in the race as long as he successfully completes the final leg. Derek and Hatfield are tied on points and the battle between them to decide second and third on the podium will be fierce.
The VELUX 5 OCEANS is considered The Ultimate Solo Challenge, the race covers five gruelling ocean sprints over nine months and the skippers have already sailed from Europe to Cape Town, South Africa, around the Cape of Good Hope and into the Southern Ocean to Wellington New Zealand, past the most remote spot on earth and around the treacherous Cape Horn to Punta del Este, Uruguay before battling difficult weather patterns up to Charleston.
When: The race departure ceremony will start from 12 noon (EST) today at Harborfest and the boats will then head out to approximately 7 miles offshore for the race start at 3pm (EST).
PhotosByJeffDennis: LePingouin leaves the docks as the only American in the Velux 5 Race; large crowds jammed the Maritime Center for Harborfest activities; Brad Van Liew with shore crewman Jean Christophe Caso; Jennifer Holtsclaw and Meaghan Van Liew greet supporters at the Rock The Dock function at SeaBreeze Marina
For past blog entries on the Velux 5 Race click here.
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