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Graham Dalton, onboard his Open 50 A SOUTHERN MAN - AGD, today completed his spiritual journey when he arrived at 03:15 local time (02:15 UTC) into Bilbao, Spanish Basque Country.

Making history with his solo circumnavigation of the world, the 68 year old sailor arrives in Portsmouth to a spectacular welcome

• Basque skipper returns home and finishes third in the VELUX 5 OCEANS
• Thousands line the shores and hundreds of yachts welcome Unai home as he completes the Ultimate Solo Challenge
• Basurko becomes the 164th person to solo circumnavigate the planet

• Sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston finishes the VELUX 5 OCEANS
• Bilbao hails the return of a true hero of solo sailing
• Remarkable accomplishment for a remarkable man

• KNOX-JOHNSTON (GBR) to finish in the early hours Friday
• BASURKO’s (ESP) ETA Saturday am
• DALTON (NZL) still in Norfolk

• Historic victory for Bernard Stamm in The Ultimate Solo Challenge
• Ecstatic Kojiro Shiraishi finishes second by only 45 minutes
• Swiss skipper retains title and finishes with a record lead 
• Japanese adventurer completes a brilliant performance

• STAMM (SUI) aiming for Monday arrival in Bilbao
• SHIRAISHI (JPN) serious issues with front sail
• KNOX JOHNSTON (GBR) talks to his boat
• BASURKO’s (ESP) making slow progress

• BERNARD STAMM (SUI) wallows in light airs
• KOJIRO SHIRAISHI (JPN) about to be becalmed 
• SIR ROBIN KNOX-JOHNSTON (GBR) bailing buckets
• UNAI BASURKO’s (ESP) gamble south may not pay off

Kiwi skipper still sailing to Norfolk to complete leg two

Unrelenting Stamm pushes hard

• 47 miles separate the entire fleet
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) tracking Bernard Stamm (SUI)
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) back on the podium
• Graham Dalton (NZL) in Bermuda

• Unai Basurko (ESP) now in 3rd place overall
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) exhausted and due into Norfolk on Friday
• Graham Dalton (NZL) constructing new keel bulb in Brazil

BASURKO FINISHES THIRD AND SIR ROBIN RELINQUISHES PODIUM POSITION

Basque skipper secures podium finish and edges ever close to home

• Graham Dalton (NZL) refuses to throw in the towel
• Unai Basurko (ESP) due to arrive in Norfolk in 24 hours
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) worried about his podium palace

• Graham Dalton (NZL) looking for his keel bulb
• Unai Basurko (ESP) wins an award
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) not hopeful of beating Basurko

KOJIRO ARRIVES SECOND IN NORFOLK

The end of a tough and frustrating leg for the spiritual adventurer

• Graham Dalton (NZL) stilted by rudder damage
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) picks up speed and celebrates his Oldie 
• Unai Basurko (ESP) makes the best speeds
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) to crawl through light airs into Norfolk

AT 1930 UTC on Monday March 12, the watchkeeper in the VELUX 5 OCEANS race office noticed that Graham Dalton’s boat A SOUTHERN MAN – AGD had stopped.

• Frustratingly slow progress for Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR)
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) remembers the memory of his mentor Yukoh Tada
• High spirits onboard Pakea for Unai Basurko (ESP)
• Graham Dalton (NZL) north of Rio and pulling away from Sir Robin

STAMM COMPLETES EXTRAORDINARY LEG WITH HISTORIC WIN

• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) finds some wind 
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) frustrated off Brazil
• Unai Basurko (ESP) avoids collision with two whales

• Bernard Stamm (SUI), travelling at warp speed, is expected to arrive in Norfolk on Sunday
• All change for the backmarkers as Graham Dalton (NZL) moves into forth past Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR)
• The Ultimate Solo Challenge continues on Channel 4 (UK) on Sunday

• Bernard Stamm (SUI) continues the charge towards Norfolk and is expected Saturday
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) sailing fast despite fatigue and unbearable heat
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) gets no rest in the Atlantic as he battles with Graham Dalton (NZL) and chases third placed Unai Basurko (ESP)

• Stamm (SUI) enough water to drink but not to wash
• Shiraishi (JPN) dreams of Northern stars
• Sir Robin (GBR) has another Royal Navy visitor

Sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston piloting the yacht SAGA Insurance was given a much appreciated boost when he joined up with Royal Navy destroyer HMS Edinburgh off the Falkland Islands today.

• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) declines whisky
• Bernard Stamm (SUI) crosses the equator and gathers rainwater to drink
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) boils in the Doldrums hell
• Graham Dalton (NZL) leaves Port Stanley to rejoin race

The 12 part series starts Sunday 25th Feb 7.30am

• Exhausted Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) has the most stressful day’s sailing in his career 
• Graham Dalton (NZL) heads into Port Stanley to fix mainsail
• Bernard Stamm (SUI) works up a sweat in Doldrums drought
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) serene and calm in light airs prison

• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR), Graham Dalton (NZL), Unai Basurko (ESP) all round Cape Horn
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) picks up a tow to Argentina
• Things hotting up for Bernard Stamm (SUI) and Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN)

• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) takes third place from Unai Basurko (ESP)
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) frustrated and sailing nowhere fast
• Bernard Stamm (SUI) four days away from the Doldrums

• Happy Valentine from Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR)
• Graham Dalton (NZL) breaks two fingers
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) hampered again by light airs
• Bernard Stamm (SUI) works his stuff to avoid delay

• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) moves into 4th place and finds bonus whisky stocks
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) repairs broken ballast valve
• Bernard Stamm (SUI) reaches fast and furious up the South Atlantic

• Bernard Stamm (SUI) powers past the Falkland Islands at top speed
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) back racing as the high pressure finally leaves him alone
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) makes up ground in gale force conditions
• Graham Dalton (NZL) feeling confident down south and looking to pass Unai Basurko (ESP)

• Bernard Stamm (SUI) rounds Cape Horn but stays south
• Unai Basurko (ESP) loses wind instruments 
• Graham Dalton (NZL) works through the night to make gains

• Bernard Stamm (SUI) 500 miles west of Cape Horn but expecting some strong winds
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) hoping for a quicker ride to the next way point
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) and Graham Dalton (NZL) remain locked in a close battle as Unai Basurko (ESP) pulls away from the back markers

• Bernard Stamm (SUI) deals with a mast problem but keeps his foot on the pedal
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) dives south to escape the light winds, gibing downwind
• Unai Basurko (ESP) lines himself up for the way point and plans a southern route
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) battles with Graham Dalton (NZL), but continues to sail at a disadvantage without weather information

• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) passes the first ice gate and the finally gets a stable wind
• An isolated Bernard Stamm (SUI) stretches his lead further as he passes the halfway mark between New Zealand and South America, closing in on Cape Horn
• Graham Dalton (NZL) re-commences racing at 19:00 GMT on Monday January 29, stopping in Bluff, New Zealand, for a total of 50.5 hours
• Three back markers set for drag race across the lonely expanses of the Southern Ocean

• Bernard Stamm (SUI) passes close to the easterly mark of the first ice gate in the Southern Ocean after skillfully navigating past the high pressure system that stood in his way
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) loses ground to the leader as the high pressure system causes tactical problems and leaves the Japanese skipper wallowing in light winds
• Graham Dalton (NZL) prepares to leave Bluff at 16:30 GMT this afternoon after sitting it out on home soil for 48 hours in order to replace his contaminated food stores
• Unai Basurko (ESP) dives south in front of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) and holds off the challenge from the last placed competitor in a close fought battle

• Bernard Stamm (SUI) dives south into freezing waters to round the high pressure system
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) sailing with old sails after ripping his precious code 6
• Unai Basurko (ESP) holds off Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) in unstable conditions but the fight is on over the next 48 hours as the back markers converge for a battle royal

• Bernard Stamm (SUI) clocking up 400 miles plus a day, averaging more than 17 knots
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) thrown around and tired out by challenging Southern Ocean conditions
• Gale force winds forecast for Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR), who is hoping to take fourth place from Unai Basurko (ESP)
• Graham Dalton (NZL) continues to impress against the bigger yachts

• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) loses ground to the race leader over the weekend as the Japanese skipper spends a frustrating day repairing a faulty autopilot system and mainsail block
• Bernard Stamm (SUI) continues to extend his lead and set a blistering pace as the defending champion approaches Campbell Island, the first Southern Ocean waypoint
• Leaders report unusually gentle conditions in Southern Ocean, although an approaching low pressure system should deliver 40-50 knots for the front runners
• Graham Dalton (NZL) has a close shave with whales as the kiwi skipper gets ever closer to his homeland and keeps pace with the larger yachts
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) and Unai Basurko (ESP) battle it out at the back as the Basque hero turns south to pick up the strong winds

• After an unwanted experience with tangled ropes on his keel, leader Bernard Stamm (SUI) has caught the strong westerly winds below Latitude 50°S
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) throws off his habitual sea sickness and chases the promise of the furious fifties that as he hunts Stamm
• Unai Basurko (ESP) forced to stay north by strong winds as Graham Dalton (NZL) and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) continue to march south

SKIPPERS TARGET THE ROARING FOURTIES AND FURIOUS FIFTIES

• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) restarted Leg 2 at 2300 GMT last night (Tuesday)
• Bernard Stamm (SUI) further extends his already impressive lead
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) and Graham Dalton (NZL) describe settling into life back onboard

Sailing legend to re-start Leg Two

• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) fixed SAGA INSURANCE in Fremantle and waiting to re-start
• Race and leg leader Bernard Stamm (SUI) holds impressive lead after only 30 hours at sea
• Lone Open 50 sailor Graham Dalton (NZL) holding his own against the 60 footers

Sunshine and spectators, but the Fremantle doctor fails to show

Japanese skipper compensated for responding to stricken HUGO BOSS

Basque skipper marks the end of an amazing first leg in the VELUX 5 OCEANS

New Zealand skipper recounts the incredible Christmas Eve storm

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston 3rd after 67d-00h-57m-15s at sea

• Graham Dalton (NZL) leaves the Kerguelen Islands and sets sights on Fremantle
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) hangs onto a gale but faces a tricky route home
• Unai Basurko (ESP) continues his progress towards the finish after 59 days at sea alone
• Cheminées Poujoulat back in the water as Bernard Stamm (SUI) keeps busy

• Mike Golding (GBR) rescues Alex Thomson (GBR) and then suffers shock broken mast
• With less than 3,000 miles to go to Fremantle (Western Australia), Bernard Stamm (SUI) extends lead out in front as he battles strong winds and a tiring night of sail changes
• Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) moves into second as the temperature plunges with snow
• Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) continues to be plagued by auto pilot problems that are limiting his speed capabilities as he begins to turn west towards the Cape of Good Hope
• Unai Basurko (ESP) maintains speed despite rudder problems as he chases down fleet

Today, six brave skippers set out from Port Getxo in Bilbao in their beautiful Formula-1 racing yachts for the start of VELUX 5 OCEANS. The first skipper to reach Bilbao again, about seven months from now, will be honoured as the winner of the prestigious solo round-the-world race.

Graham Dalton announced today that he will not make the 1300 start of the VELUX 5 OCEANS this Sunday, 22nd October, due to severe damage to his mast. With just two days to go until the start of the toughest solo round-the-world yacht race, Dalton, who has been plagued with problems throughout his campaign insists he will still start the race, as soon as is practically possible which under race regulations, must be within seven days.

Portsmouth University launches ground-breaking scientific analysis on the Ultimate Solo Challenge

Sir Robin participará en la VELUX 5 OCEANS con su barco “Saga Insurance”

Más noticias próximamente en www.saga.co.uk

Skippers, race organisers and host ports gear up for the start of a classic race
The countdown is on! The gruelling VELUX 5 OCEANS will kick off from the city of Bilbao in exactly 100 days. With ten world class skippers already confirmed to cross the start line on 22nd October, and with more competitors finalising their entries, race organisers are excited about what is shaping up to be a world class event as this classic race celebrates its 25th year.

On 22 October the stating signal for VELUX 5 OCEANS in Bilbao, Spain, will sound. Six to seven months later – wind and weather on the oceans permitting – the winner will be celebrated in Bilbao. The British skipper Mike Golding goes for victory. He is one of the 11 skippers so far who has dared taking the challenge. Now he is visiting Denmark for the first time to show his boat and give the Danes an idea of the psychology and techniques of yachting.

I dag bliver VELUX 5 OCEANS flaget hejst ombord på ekstremraceren ECOVER på havnen i Skovshoved for at markere den forestående solo kapsejlads jorden rundt, som 11 af verdens bedste skippere indtil nu har tilmeldt sig.

Sailing legend, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston will be arriving in Gosport on Friday 26th May onboard his new boat – the Finot-design, Open 60 racing yacht formerly known as Fila. The boat will undergo a number of improvements over the coming months to prepare her for the start of the VELUX 5 OCEANS race which begins on 22nd October 2006 in Bilbao, Spain.

Den 22. oktober går startskuddet for VELUX 5 OCEANS i Bilbao, Spanien. Seks-syv måneder senere – afhængig af vind og vejr på verdenshavene – kåres vinderen i Bilbao. Den engelske skipper Mike Golding går efter sejren. Han er en af de indtil nu 11 skippere, der har vovet at tage udfordringen op. Nu besøger han for første gang Danmark for at vise sin båd frem og give danskerne et indblik i sejladsens psykologi og teknik.

Sailing legend set to make history in the VELUX 5 OCEANS
 
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to ever sail single-handed, non-stop around the world, is to make a dramatic return to the planet’s fiercest oceans. An iconic sailing hero and a much admired pioneer in solo sailing, Sir Robin today announced that he will be competing in the upcoming VELUX 5 OCEANS, the world’s toughest solo round the world yacht race that starts in Bilbao in October this year.

Record breaking Japanese sailing hero Kojiro Shiraishi today confirmed his entry in the VELUX 5 OCEANS, the Ultimate Solo Challenge. This is the second time Koji has entered the historical round the world yacht race, having finished fourth in the 2002-2003 edition in Class 2 on board his 40ft Spirit of Yukoh. In the upcoming edition of this classic event, he will compete against the world’s best in the Open 60 Class with ex-Temenos I.

Gildas Iauch has a dream to sail around the world. As an insulin-dependent diabetic (type 1) since the age of 16, he has set his heart on the Ultimate Solo Challenge, the VELUX 5 OCEANS yacht race that starts in October 2006. Gildas’ story represents a unique sponsorship opportunity, inspiring diabetics all over the world that they too can lead challenging and exciting lives. The VELUX 5 OCEANS presents the perfect global platform to communicate these core values.

A new 50-foot yacht on which Graham Dalton will sail in this year’s single-handed around the world race, the VELUX 5 OCEANS today made its first sea voyage from Lyttelton, New Zealand to Auckland on a Pacifica Shipping coastal vessel.

Legendary solo sailors, Mike Golding and Bernard Stamm, today, both confirmed their entry in the 2006/7 VELUX 5 OCEANS. The joint announcements were made at the inaugural skipper conference in Bilbao, held to give an update to the race plans and inform the sailors and their sponsors of the marketing and communications strategies for the forthcoming race. The commitments from Golding and Stamm follow announcements in 2005 from Alex Thomson, Conrad Humphreys and many international skippers from the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Today, VELUX announced a new global sponsorship agreement. The agreement makes the Danish company the main sponsor of 5 Oceans, one of the world’s oldest, toughest and most prestigious solo, round-the-world yacht race. The sponsorship cements VELUX position as a global brand manufacturer and underlines the company’s immense interest in yachting. The next race starts in October 2006 in the Spanish port of Bilbao and will be held under the banner VELUX 5 Oceans.