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IN BRIEF
How fast can one person sail around the world? Last year we thought we knew, but 12 months later when Francois Gabart smashed the previous record, the sailing world drew breath. Was this the ultimate limit to the ultimate challenge?
To find out, we looked at the history of round the world record-breaking and talked exclusively to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail solo, non-stop, around the world about how times have tumbled and what lies ahead.
In addition, we go to Nassau in the Bahamas to witness an extraordinary victory as the world’s best compete in a champion of champions showdown.
We also re-visit the grueling Volvo Ocean Race as the fleet careers through the Southern Ocean before parking up in the Pacific.
Plus, we take a look at the controversy in the Rolex Sydney Hobart race.
- How world records have been set in the ultimate challenge
- The world’s best go head to head in the Bahamas
- All change in the Volvo Ocean Race
- Rolex Sydney Hobart controversy
FEATURES
Non-stop around the world - the ultimate challenge
How fast can one person sail around the world?
Last year we thought we knew after Thomas Coville completed the 28,000mile trip in 49 days, slashing 8 days off the previous best.
Heralded as the performance of the decade, many believed that the new record would stand for a long time. But 12 months later and on his first attempt, Francois Gabart changed that and lowered the time even further, slicing more than 6 days off Coville’s record.
We talk exclusively to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to complete the trip singlehanded and non-stop, about how round the record has tumbled since his historic circumnavigation in 1969.
Star Sailors’ League – The world’s best go head to head
Among the 25 strong fleet, there were 25 Olympic medals on the start line, seven of them gold, while the list of World and European champions and offshore record holders read like the credits of a Hollywood movie.
The message was clear – This was an impressive assembly of sailing rock stars and legends doing battle in a fleet of identical boats and where the final result went all the way to the wire. The World Sailing Show was there.
Volvo Ocean Race Leg 3 & 4 - All change
From surfing the wastes of the Southern Ocean to a standstill the windless Pacific Doldrums, four weeks in which crews went from one extreme to another. Then, drama and tragedy, this was a month like no other so far in the Volvo Ocean Race that saw results turn inside out as the fleet arrived in Asia.
Rolex Sydney Hobart controversy
With strong northerly winds, the Southern hemisphere offshore classic was set to be a record breaker from the start. The duel between two of the biggest and fastest super maxis in the world was attracting attention too. But no one had predicted the controversial outcome.
Non-stop around the world - the ultimate challenge
How fast can one person sail around the world?
Last year we thought we knew after Thomas Coville completed the 28,000mile trip in 49 days, slashing 8 days off the previous best.
Heralded as the performance of the decade, many believed that the new record would stand for a long time. But 12 months later and on his first attempt, Francois Gabart changed that and lowered the time even further, slicing more than 6 days off Coville’s record.
We talk exclusively to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to complete the trip singlehanded and non-stop, about how round the record has tumbled since his historic circumnavigation in 1969.
Star Sailors’ League – The world’s best go head to head
Among the 25 strong fleet, there were 25 Olympic medals on the start line, seven of them gold, while the list of World and European champions and offshore record holders read like the credits of a Hollywood movie.
The message was clear – This was an impressive assembly of sailing rock stars and legends doing battle in a fleet of identical boats and where the final result went all the way to the wire. The World Sailing Show was there.
Volvo Ocean Race Leg 3 & 4 - All change
From surfing the wastes of the Southern Ocean to a standstill the windless Pacific Doldrums, four weeks in which crews went from one extreme to another. Then, drama and tragedy, this was a month like no other so far in the Volvo Ocean Race that saw results turn inside out as the fleet arrived in Asia.
Rolex Sydney Hobart controversy
With strong northerly winds, the Southern hemisphere offshore classic was set to be a record breaker from the start. The duel between two of the biggest and fastest super maxis in the world was attracting attention too. But no one had predicted the controversial outcome.
