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BRAD VAN LIEW EXTENDS VELUX 5 OCEANS LEAD WITH TIMED RUN WIN

Brad celebrates - credit Ainhoa Sanchez/ VELUX 5 OCEANSBRAD Van Liew has extended his lead at the top of the VELUX 5 OCEANS rankings after picking up maximum bonus points for the fastest passage between the ocean sprint three speed gates. During the sprint from Wellington to Punta del Este the American ocean racer sailed his yacht Le Pingouin between the gates, set at longitudes 135º W and 115º W, in two days, 14 hours and 48 minutes.

The VELUX 5 OCEANS is scored using a points system rather than elapsed time. Each of the five ocean sprints features a timed run between two gates set by the race management. The timed runs offer skippers a way to score extra points to add to the points awarded for final positions of each leg.

Combined with the 12 points he picked up for winning ocean sprint three, the three-point timed run victory gives Brad a maximum 15 points for the latest leg, putting him ten points clear at the top of the leaderboard on 45 points. Operon Racing skipper Zbigniew Gutkowski was second fastest between the speed gates picking up two bonus points and Derek Hatfield on Active House takes one point for the third fastest run.

During the timed run the skippers passed Point Nemo, the most remote spot in the world, more than 2,000 nautical miles from land in every direction. Named after Captain Nemo, a character in Jules Verne’s book Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Point Nemo is located at 48°S 52’ 31.748”, 123°W 23’ 33.069”. 

Here’s how the leaderboard looks after three ocean sprints:

leaderboard looks after three ocean sprints

MEDIA NOTES TO EDITORS

Rights-free race images, video and audio available to download in high-resolution: 

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For interview requests and further information on the VELUX 5 OCEANS, please contact Sarah Hames, Race Press Officer:

T: + 44 7813 009 783 Uruguay Mobile: + 598 993 95 292 
E: shames@velux5oceans.com
W: www.velux5oceans.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

VELUX 5 OCEANS – The Ultimate Solo Challenge
The VELUX 5 OCEANS is the Ultimate Solo Challenge, the ultimate human endeavour. More than 500 people have been into space – less than 180 have sailed round the world solo. The VELUX 5 OCEANS is a series of five high-pressure ocean sprints within a marathon 30,000-nautical mile circumnavigation. The race, run every four years since 1982, has a rich heritage which has given rise to some of the world's best sailors. The VELUX 5 OCEANS is not only the longest round the world yacht race but at nearly 30 years old is also the longest running. Always at the forefront of ocean racing innovation, the 2010/11 VELUX 5 OCEANS will see the premiere of the Eco 60 class of yachts, pushing a message of sustainability, accessibility and affordability.

www.velux5oceans.com 

About the VELUX Group 
The VELUX Group holds the title sponsorship of VELUX 5 OCEANS for the second time. The spirit, values and nature of the race and its skippers are similar to those of the VELUX Group. As a manufacturer of roof windows, the VELUX Group employs creativity and an innovative approach to the development of new products and business strategies. In its mission to create better living environments with daylight and fresh air through the roof the Group has earned the reputation of being one of the strongest brands in the global building materials sector. The VELUX Group has manufacturing companies in 11 countries and sales companies in just under 40 countries, it has about 10,000 employees and is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by foundations and family. 

www.velux.com 

Clipper Ventures Plc
This year marks 41 years since Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's historic solo and non-stop circumnavigation in 1969. Now, as Chairman of Clipper Ventures PLC, he is at the forefront of promoting round the world yacht racing. Clipper Ventures, the marine sports company founded in 1995, is focused on developing and promoting major events capable of attracting significant participation, income, media coverage and associated sponsorship revenue. Knox-Johnston founded Clipper Ventures on the belief that sailing should be made available to everyone and therefore created the Clipper Round the World Race, with 2,000 people having now completed one of the seven races to date.

www.clipper-ventures.com 

Race Partners and Suppliers
Transportation Partner, Maersk Line: www.maerskline.com 
Start/Finish Port, La Rochelle (France): www.ville-larochelle.fr / www.agglo-larochelle.fr 
Host Ports: Cape Town, Wellington, Punta del Este, Charleston
Technical Clothing Supplier: www.henrilloyd.com
Navigation/Routing Supplier: www.maxsea.com 
Research Partner, Portsmouth University: www.port.ac.uk 
Sustainability Partner, Sailors for the Sea: www.sailorsforthesea.org
Marine Forecast Supplier:  http://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/   
Official Timekeeper: www.nauticawatches.com 
Electronic Chart Supplier: www.jeppesen.com/lightmarine    

 

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