‘Westabout’ Solo Circumnavigation
Steve White to sail a VO70 solo around the world
"The hardest and certainly the most gruelling record in sailing"
lundi 19 juillet 2010 –
Professional sailor Steve White has announced his intention to break the current world record for circumnavigating single-handed, non-stop the “wrong way”, against the prevailing winds and currents. Steve will be sailing a Volvo Open 70, which would usually be crewed by ten people. Taking place this winter, the attempt will mark the 40th anniversary of the original record set by Sir Chay Blyth (CBE BEM) on ’British Steel’, who embarked on the epic journey described by The Times in 1970 as the ‘Impossible Voyage’. The current record for completing the 22,000 mile course is 122 days, 14 hours and 4 minutes, and is held by Frenchman Jean Luc Van Den Heede.
– Steve White : “After the amazing experience of the 2008 Vendée Globe, it seemed like the right time to focus my attention on this record that I have been thinking about for a long time, and which fits in nicely before the next Vendée Globe in 2012. The record is acknowledged as probably the hardest and certainly the most gruelling record in sailing, and I am under no illusions about the enormity of the task in hand, both of sailing upwind and against the current in the Southern Ocean, and about the power and size of the boat we have chosen. Jean-Luc Van Den Heede is a legend and his record will be tough to beat, but I think it is achievable.”
– Sir Chay Blyth CBE, BEM : “It’s wonderful that Steve is planning to attempt what many regard as the ultimate sailing challenge. Hundreds have completed the voyage following the classic Eastabout route but doing this in reverse is a quantum leap removed, which is why only 5 people including Mike Golding and Dee Caffari have tried it. It takes a special character to tackle the trip and Steve is an extremely experienced yachtsman who I believe has the right skills, tenacity and determination to set a new World record.” When asked if he would be tempted back to re-trace his footsteps Chay said, “Not a hope in hell.”
The team at White Ocean Racing are currently looking for potential sponsorship partners who are interested in aligning themselves with such an outstanding example of human endeavour, which will attract massive UK and international media interest, and capture the imagination of people from all walks of life around the globe. The rewards of title sponsorship are exceedingly high, as this is a unique and steerable opportunity.
– Steve added : “I have long pondered this record since reading both Chay’s and Mike Golding’s books on their respective attempts. With a very successful Vendée Globe behind me, and a team with a wealth of experience now in place, I am confident I can do this record justice. I really am more excited about this than I have been about anything else, and I am very much looking forward to crossing the start line. I will leave between October and December this year, depending on the arrival of a suitable weather window, and how soon we attract a sponsor”.
– Press info www.whiteoceanracing.com
Dans la même rubrique
-
fr : Circolo della Vela Sicilia
20th Palermo-Montecarlo : Top prize for Manticore as Black Jack sets another new record
After leaving Mondello, just north of Palermo, at midday on Tuesday, competition in the Maxi class, part of the 41 boat fleet in the annual Palermo-Montecarlo, was decided on Thursday. The IRC corrected time victory went to a first time winner, while one of the race’s most frequent competitors was again both first home and set a new race (…) -
en : Offshore racing | Cowes - Cherbourg
Rolex Fastnet Race 2025 : Loison and Kelbert’s JPK 1050 crowned overall winner
Alexis Loison and Jean-Pierre Kelbert’s JPK 1050 Léon has been crowned overall winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race. No other boat still racing on the 695 nautical mile course can catch the French doublehanded duo for overall honours in this, the 51st edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s offshore classic. -
en : Cowes • Team racing
The Admiral’s Cup : Yacht Club de Monaco wins the 2025 edition
The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) is delighted to announce the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) as the winner of the 2025 Admiral’s Cup. After an intense battle during the RORC Channel Race, six inshore races in the Solent and the prestigious finale, the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Yacht Club de Monaco team is victorious. Runner-up for the Admiral’s Cup (…) -
en : New York Yacht Club & Royal Ocean Racing Club
Transatlantic Race 2025 : Line Honours for Christian Zugel’s Volvo 70 Tschüss 2
Volvo 70 Tschüss 2 (USA), owned by Christian Zugel and co-skippered by Johnny Mordaunt, has taken Line Honours in the West to East Transatlantic Race 2025 in an elapsed time of 07 Day 15 Hrs 29 Mins and 10 Secs. Tschüss 2 Crew : Christian Zugel, Johnny Mordaunt, Al Fraser, Andrew McLean, Campbell Field, Christopher Welch, Edward Myers, Fredric (…) -
en : International Maxi Association
Maxi victory for local heroes in 151 Miglia-Trofeo Cetilar
It has been a long time coming after spending much of the 2024 season finishing second and even continuing this in the recent IMA Maxi European Championship, but finally Guido Paolo Gamucci’s Cippa Lippa X has won a race. On Saturday morning at 1012 off Marina di Punta Ala, the white-hulled canting keel Mylius 60 crossed the finish line of the (…) -
en : Leg 1 : Antigua - Panama
McIntyre Mini Globe : 15 boats set sail from the Caribbean Island of Antigua Barbuda
The inaugural McIntyre Mini Globe Race (MGR) has officially set sail, and what a start it’s been ! The first leg from Antigua to Panama has already delivered drama, camaraderie, and a masterclass in offshore sailing in these Mighty Mini’s. With 15 ALMA Class Globe 580s battling it out over 1,200 nautical miles, the MGR is proving to be (…)
A la une
Articles les plus récents
-
en : America’s Cup
Ian Walker appointed skipper of the GBR Challenge
image 150 x 339Peter Harrison, Founder and Chairman of GBR Challenge, the British America’s Cup team for 2002-03, today announced that he has appointed double Olympic Silver Medallist Ian Walker to be the GBR Challenge Skipper. -
en : Jules Verne Trophy
Bruno Peyron : "We’ll also be trying to win the dual with Olivier de Kersauson"
image 300 x 158Photo : G.Martin-Raget
When the catamaran was sailing away from Brest for mast trials, Bruno Peyron was answering to few questions in Paris during a special press show. -
fr : Trophée Jules Verne
Bruno Peyron : "Nous allons essayer aussi de gagner le duel avec Olivier de Kersauson"
image 300 x 158Photo : G.Martin-Raget
Pendant que le catamaran Orange a effectué une sortie en mer dans la rade de Brest pour contrôler la tension du gréement remonté mercredi dernier, Bruno Peyron a précisé quelques points sur sa tentative de record contre le Trophée Jules Verne lors d’une conférence de presse tenue à Paris. -
en : VOLVO OCEAN RACE / Leg 4
No room for error in harsh wastelands
To describe the feeling of breaking a mast, 1200 miles from land, deep in the remotest ocean on the planet is almost impossible. The crew onboard SEB are numbed but resolute. Hopes and dreams are washed over the side with the remains of the rig as it is cut free to prevent it from punching a hole in the hull of the boat. -
fr : Trophée Jules Verne
Orange en stand by à partir de lundi
image 300 x 158Photo : G.Martin-Raget
Dématé dès son arrivée à Brest la semaine dernière, le maxi-catamaran Orange a retrouvé hier son gréement complet. Le bateau achève en ce moment ses derniers préparatifs au Port de commerce, dans l’attente de la fenêtre météo libératrice. Début du stand-by, lundi 11 février à partir de 12h00. -
fr : America’s Cup
Brèves de Cup : Histoires d’A…
Toutes les semaines, les chroniques du monde impitoyable de la Coupe de l’America… -
fr : Aventure
Mike Horn met le cap autour de l’océan Arctique
image 120 x 478 Un homme. Seul. Et l’océan Arctique. Un traversée vers le pôle Nord. Puis une circumnavigation entre les 55° et 71° de latitude Nord… Voici le nouveau projet de l’aventurier tous terrains Mike Horn. Portrait - programme. -
fr : Volvo Ocean Race
illbruck croise un iceberg…
Iceberg passing closeby Illbruck Challenge at almost 60° South
German team ahead of the leg four en route to cape Horn -
fr : Interview
Sébastien Josse : "C’est une autre dimension !"
image 300 x 158Photo : G.Martin-Raget
Le skipper du Figaro Créaline, deuxième de la Solitaire 2001 et deuxième du championnat de France des solitaires fait partie des treize hommes à embarquer sur le catamaran Orange mené par Bruno Peyron. Lors du convoyage de Marseille à Brest, où le voilier est actuellement en préparation avant de prendre le départ de sa tentative de record (…) -
fr : Planche à Voile
Raphaëla Le Gouvello retardée par El Niño
Le prochain défi de la Bretonne Raphaëla Le Gouvello est de traverser le Pacifique en planche à voile. Une ’Odyssée du Vent’ qui devait lui permettre de partir de Panama cette année, pour rejoindre l’Australie via Tahiti. Mais les conditions météo en océan Pacifique lui imposent de retarder son aventure.
