FAQ

Generel

How does VELUX 5 OCEANS differ from other round the world ocean races?

VELUX 5 OCEANS is different in several ways. First and foremost, it is a single-handed yacht race with only one skipper navigating each boat. This makes it one of the toughest round the world yacht races. Also, the eligible yacht designs, the race legs and the different climates encompassing the five oceans are specific to VELUX 5 OCEANS.

How long is the race, and which continents does it cover?

The skippers in VELUX 5 OCEANS will each cover about 55,000 kilometres or 30,000 nautical miles in the course of more than four months.

VELUX 5 OCEANS covers Europe, Africa, Oceania, South America and North America and crosses five oceans: the North Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the South Sea and the South Atlantic Ocean.

What does roof windows and ocean sailing have in common?

The sport supports our brand and reflects our core values. Concepts such as daylight, fresh air and having focus on natural energy sources and a more sustainable way of living are just a few of the key ideals which characterise both this unique sport and our company.

When you install a roof window in your home the window has the ability to change the way you see your home and look at the outside world. Sailing around the world alone also gives you a new perspective on the outside world.

Durability is another key ideal that reflect the sport and our company. VELUX roof windows and the skippers of the VELUX 5 OCEANS are known to fight the elements of nature. Be it roof windows or sailing boats, our VELUX family and the skippers of the VELUX 5 OCEANS rely on highly durable products to keep them dry and safe.

What is VELUX 5 OCEANS?

VELUX 5 OCEANS is the world's oldest and toughest single-handed round the world yacht race. The race has been billed as The Ultimate Solo Challenge since 1982 because of the stop-start nature of the high speed racing over the Ocean Sprints, covering the greatest distance and time alone at sea of any race around the world. Each Ocean Sprint offers unique challenges faced by the skippers, including the tactical difficulties of approaching the coast lines and the varying weather and ocean patterns. It is also a truly international ocean race, visiting five continents and offering a worldwide media profile over an eight month period.

What route will the race follow in 2010-11?

The new version of the classic solo ocean race will consist of five gruelling ocean sprints, compared to three in the last race.

1. Cape Town ocean sprint: 7,500 nautical miles from La Rochelle (France) to Cape Town (South Africa), starting 17 October 2010
2. Wellington ocean sprint: 7,000 nautical miles from Cape Town (South Africa) to Wellington (New Zealand)
3. Salvador ocean sprint: 7,400 nautical miles from Wellington (New Zealand) to Salvador (Brazil)
4. Charleston ocean sprint: 4,000 nautical miles from Salvador (Brazil) to Charleston (USA)
5. La Rochelle ocean sprint: 3,600 nautical miles from Charleston (USA) to La Rochelle (France).

What will VELUX derive from the sponsorship?

First and foremost, the sponsorship will help to extend and build the VELUX brand. VELUX 5 OCEANS provides us with a new exposure platform in the international arena. It is a platform, which can be used in relation to customers, employees and the media, and to develop and strengthen our brand both locally and globally.

Who are the skippers participating in the race?

The yachtsmen of VELUX 5 OCEANS are a breed apart – and are among the world's toughest sailors. The race attracts both the yachting elite with Skippers within the IMOCA organization and novice daredevils, men and women prepared to brave everything that nature can throw at them: biting cold, baking heat, storms and meter-high waves. The skippers will have to face these elements alone, often while suffering from complete mental and physical exhaustion.

Why focus on a major global event instead of a series of local events?

We decided to focus on a global event because we are a global company. VELUX operates in more than 40 markets on 5 different continents worldwide – including Europe, Australia and the North America – continents covered by the VELUX 5 OCEANS.

VELUX has been searching for a potential sponsorship that could epitomise what we stand for around the globe. In VELUX 5 OCEANS we found a sponsorship that matched our core brand values, and also offered an outstanding geographic reach and a cooperative spirit.

Why is VELUX sponsoring the VELUX 5 OCEANS race?

Sponsoring a truly global sports event like the VELUX 5 OCEANS is a perfect match for the VELUX Company. First of all the sponsorship offers our company great many opportunities to meet and communicate with our key partners, suppliers, specifiers, installers and customers all around the world.

Secondly the VELUX 5 OCEANS helps create a unique unity and a team spirit in our company.

Thirdly the sponsorship is a perfect platform to introduce the world to other VELUX initiatives like The International VELUX Award for Students of Architecture and to demonstrate our focus on energy performance in buildings with projects like MODEL HOME 2020, ATIKA and SOLTAG.