Torresen Marine Inc. Around Alone Introduction

1. What is the Around Alone Race
2.  Where does Around Alone Take Place ?
3.  Where does the race course go ?
4.  Who will race in it ?
5. Who has won the race ?
6.  Are any of the boats on the internet ?
7.  How did the last Around Alone go ?
8.  Are there returning competitors ?
9.  What are the Qualifications to Race ?
10.  What are the records for Class I and Class II ?
11.  What are the records for each of the races legs ?
12.  What types of safety equipment are carried ?
13.  How do the racers communicate ?
14.   Historically, what is the ratio of starters to finishers ?

Last updated: February 15, 2005 08:40

1.  What is the Around Alone Race ?  It is the longest race for individuals in any sport.  It covers 27,000 miles.  The sailors single-hand boats from 40 to 60 feet long. This will be the 5th sailing of the race, with the 1st taking place in 1982.

2.  When is Around Alone ?   The race start is scheduled for Charleston South Carolina on September 26, 1998.

3.  Where does Around Alone go ? The race will consist of 4 legs. Leg 1 will be from Charleston South Carolina to Cape Town, South Africa. Leg 2 will start December 5th from Cape Town to Auckland New Zealand.  Leg 3 will start February 6th from Auckland to Punta del Este,Uruguay.  Leg 4 will start April 11th from Punta del Este back to Charleston and will finish in May of 1999. 

Graphical representation of the Around Alone race course.
Leg Milage listed in miles

coursewdist.jpg (35093 bytes)

4.  Who will the competitors be ?  The official entry deadline is March 1, 1998.  To see a list of competitors already entered visit the Around Alone website which has the most current entries list.

5.  Who has won the race ?

1982-83 Class 1 Philippe Jeantot France Class 2 Yuko Tada Japan Corinthian    
1986-87 Class 1 Philippe Jeantot France Class 2 Mike Plant USA      
1990-91 Class 1 Christophe Auguin France Class 2 Yves Dupasquier France   Paul Thackaberry USA
1994-95 Class 1 Christophe Auguin France Class 2 David Adams France      
1998-99 Class 1 Giovanni Soldini Italy Class 2 22 Entrants        

6.  Some of the entered Around Alone competitors have websites.  Use the links below and learn more about these competitors:

 

7. Who won last time ?

The 1994 race then known as the BOC Challenge had 20 starters.  11 boats finished the course.

Class 1 was one by Christophe Augin sailing Sceta Calberson with a total time of 121 days 17 hours 11 minutes and 46 seconds.  2nd was Steve Pettengill on Hunter's Child with a total time of 128 Days 4 Hours 3 Minutes and 9 Seconds. 

Class 2 was won by David Adams sailing True Blue.   His time was 131 days 5 hours 6 mintues and 39 seconds.  Second in Class 2 was Giovanni Soldini skippering Kodak with a time of 134 days 0 hours 46 minutes 10 seconds.  

For results of the 1994-95 BOC Challenge see the unofficial website.

8. Will any sailors return for the 1998 Around Alone ?

Yes, there are several

9.  What are the qualifications for Around Alone ?

Competitors in Around Alone 1998-99 must be at least 21 years of age by 12 Sept. 1998. To qualify, an entrant  must complete an authenticated solo trans-oceanic voyage of not less than 2,000 miles in the boat he or she will race during Around Alone. In addition, each boat must pass the scrutineering process prior to the start of the race in order to be allowed to compete in the race.

10.  What are the Class I and Class II Records ?

Class Skipper Boat Year Days Minutes Hours Seconds
I Giovanni Soldini Fila 1998-99 116 20 7 59
II David Adams True Blue 1994-95 131 5 6 39
Corinthian Paul Thackaberry Volcano 1990-91 180 07 39 42

11.  Note:  In previous editions the 2nd stopover was in Australia, not New Zealand, and the start was in Newport RI, and not Charleston SC.  Note: 1st table is record of Class I yacht, 2nd is Class II yachts

Leg Yr. Skipper Boat From To Distance Days Hours Minutes Second Avg. Speed
1 1998 Mike Golding Group 4 Charleston Cape Town 6800 34 18 54 44 8.1
2 1994 Christophe Augin Sceta Calberson Cape Town Sydney 6698 24 23 40 16 11.2
3 1990 Christophe Augin Sceta Calberson Sydney Punta Del Este 7200 29 16 15 57 10.1
4 1991 Christophe Augin Sceta Calberson Punta Del Este Newport 6000 23 14 11 22 10.6
4 1994 Christophe
Augin		 Sceta
Calberson		 Punta Del
Este		 Charleston 5751 24 20 17 29 9.6

Class II Records

Leg Year Skipper Boat From To Distnace Days Hours Minutes Seconds Avg. Speed
1 1998 J.P. Mouligne Cray Valley Charleston Cape Town 6800 40 12 56 41 6.99
2 1994 David Adams True Blue Cape Town Sydney 6698 28 00 28 45 10.0
3 1994 Giovanni Soldini Kodak Sydney Punta Del Este 7200 31 16 23 19 9.5
4 1994 David Adams True Blue Punta Del Este Charleston 5751 29 00 55 30 8.2

Corinthian Class Records

Leg Year Skipper Boat From To Distance Days Hours Minutes Seconds Speed
1 1990 Paul Thackaberry Volcano Newport Cape Town 7049 56 10 34 27 5.20
2 1990 Paul Thackaberry Volcano Cape Town Sydney 6698 39 6 49 20 7.10
3 1990 Paul Thackaberry Volcano Sydney Punta Del Este 7200 41 10 04 52 7.24
4 1990 Robin Davie Punta Del Este Newport 6000 39 21 49 42 6.26

12.  What is some of the safety and communications equipment each boat must carry ?

  • one single-side band transceiver up to 22.9 MHz

  • two separate, isolated, and rechargeable power supplies

  • two VHF transceivers

  • an active radar with a proximity warning system.

13.  What methods of comminations do the sailors use ?

They have a variety of choices.  They can use traditional two way radio formats such as VHF, and single-side band.  They can use fax and e-mail services that are transmitted via sattelite.  They can also place phone call on sattelite telephones.  By these methods they can communicate with race managment, fellow competitors, maritime authorities, and fans on shore. 

14.  In the history of the race what is the ratio of starters to finishers ?

There have been 87 starters in the four races, with 56 crossing the finish line after circling the globe.  Of the 31 who did not finish, 6 had to adandon their yachts as they were sinking, 23 retired due to equipment failure or personal reason and tragically 2 have been lost at sea. 

 
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