Setting Sail for start of Velux 5 Oceans

September 28, 2006 by Dan Wedgwood/Annabel Merrison | 0 comments

The oldest skipper taking part in the VELUX 5 Oceans race, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, and the youngest skipper, Alex Thomson, set off side by side from Gosport, leaving the UK behind to head for the start port of the gruelling single-handed race round the world.

Old friends and now race rivals, the skippers of ‘Saga Insurance’ and ‘HUGO BOSS’ are expected to take around tree days to reach Bilbao in Spain, depending on the weather, and will use the trip to check vital systems and equipment onboard. Once in Bilbao, a mixture of final preparations and in-port racing will keep the skippers busy while they mentally prepare for the arduous and highly competitive race ahead.

At 67 Sir Robin – the first man to sail solo and non-stop round the world in 1969 – may be the oldest skipper, but is also the most experienced and is determined to demonstrate that experience can win out, commenting that he is, ‘not entering this race simply to take part.’ Alex Thomson, another serious race contender, is aiming to achieve his own sailing first by becoming the first skipper to complete ‘three in three’: three round the world races in three years.

Update: Due to a minor technical problem with the mast Sir Robin has decided to return to Gosport and is expected to leave for Spain Thursday.