The concept of the Around Alone race is as elegant in its simplicity as it is stark in its execution:
One person. On a sailboat. Around the world. Alone.
It is the longest race on Earth for an individual in any sport. The Around Alone course spans 28,755 miles of the world's roughest and most remote oceans. It is a gruelling single-handed sailing race where competitors are both the captain and crew, and the finish line is literally a world away.
From 1982 until 1998, the event was known as The BOC Challenge, carrying the name of its founding sponsor, the British company BOC. The 2002 race, which starts September 2002, marks its 20th anniversary year, and is so far showing promise of being the biggest and best yet. The extraordinary event is held once every four years, and millions of new fans from the around the world have discovered the event over the past 20 years.
The event's website, reached hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts on a daily basis for the entire eight months of the last race and has won many awards. Modern communications and new technology continue to make the internet and yacht racing more and more compatible, and the sport more accessible to wider audiences.
For the first time in the race's history, a non-French person holds the overall trophy. Giovanni Soldini, Italy's most famous sailor, set a record in his 60-foot FILA in 1998. The 2002 race has so far attracted over 80 applicants who have registered their interest, and under its new owner, Clipper Ventures Plc, promises to reach even wider and farther than ever before.
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