The history of the race

It all began in 1979, when lone sailor David White came up with the idea of organizing regattas that would enjoy international fame and facilitate the search for the best helmsmen in the world. This goal was achieved three years later, in autumn 1982, when seventeen sailors joined in the struggle of the first BOC Challenge race, which got its name from its sponsor, the British Oxygen Corporation. The race began in a port located on Goat Island near Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.

The race consisted of four stages to be completed in Cape Town, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro and finally Newport, as the location of the finishing line was exactly the same as the starting line. During the race all sorts of speed records were broken and incredible stamina demonstrated. The attention of the whole world focused on this transoceanic struggle. The revelation of the race was French sailor Philippe Jeantot, normally employed as a oil rig diver, who not only won the race, but also completed each stage of the regatta first.

Subsequent races are held every four years. The list of participants changes each time, as do the stage ports and standing rules.

The seventh race is unique, especially for the Polish. It is the first time that a Polish citizen has participated in this prestigious race. This is possible thanks, mostly, to the extraordinary skills demonstrated by Zbigniew Gutkowski during the qualifications, but also because of a change in the yacht requirements. This year Eco 60 yachts are being used, as they are much more financially accessible to less affluent sailors.

 

calendar

1994
  • 1982
  • 1986
  • 1990
  • 1994
  • 1998
  • 2002
  • 2006

The race was organised for the first time in autumn 1982 with 17 bold participants. The race consisted of four stages to be completed in Cape Town, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro and finally Newport, as the location of the finishing line was exactly the same as the starting line. The revelation of the race was French sailor Philippe Jeantot, normally employed as a oil rig diver, who not only won the race, but also completed each stage of the regatta first.

The second edition of the regatta took place in 1986, with 25 sailors from all over the world participating. Only 16 of them managed to finish the race, showing how difficult the race conditions are. Again, the undisputed winner was Philippe Jeantot.

The next edition of the regatta was organised in 1990. This time the Frenchman conceded his title to the younger generation - the winner in class I was Christophe Auguin. However, the star of the race proved to be a young French female sailor Isabelle Autissier, who was the first woman to complete a lone cruise around the world.

In 1994 the race was won by Australia’s David Adams. Isabelle Autissier began the race well ahead of her competitors. During the second stage, however, her boat was destroyed.

In 1998, a new race legend emerged, Giovanni Soldini from Italy. Not only did he win the race and set a new route record (116 days), but he also made a heroic effort to rescue Isabelle Autissier, whose boat overturned again in the Southern Ocean. The winner in Class II was French helmsman Jean-Pierre Mouligne.

In 2002, Bernard Stamm of Switzerland proved his sailing skills, leaving his competitors far behind and winning the class I category. Emma Richards was the youngest person to complete the race at only 27 years old. The first place in class II was taken by Brad Van Liew from the U.S. who was taking part in the regatta for the second time. He managed to win all stages; an undisputed victory.

In 2006, two fiercely competing sailors Mike Golding and Alex Thomson, both of British origin, found themselves at the centre of attention. In the Southern Ocean they were very close to the leader of the regatta Bernard Stamm. Suddenly, the keel fell off Thomson’s boat, severely damaging the structure of the vessel. Golding started the rescue operation, giving up the competition. He took Thomson on board but unfortunately a few hours later his boat lost its mast. Stamm, meanwhile, crossed the finishing line, winning for the second time in a row.