Global Challenge

The Global Challenge is known as the 'the world's toughest yacht race'. Sailing around the world 'the wrong way' against prevailing winds and currents is certainly not most people's idea of leisure sailing!

Every four years twelve teams battle against the elements, and each other, for ten gruelling months in order to cover the 30,000 mile course. Our very own Philip Avery and his team competed in 2004/5 and, along with the eleven other teams, departed Portsmouth on October 3rd set to visit Buenos Aires - Argentina, Wellington - New Zealand, Sydney - Australia, Cape Town - South Africa, Boston - USA and La Rochelle - France before returning to Portsmouth in July 2005.

The race takes in almost all possible sailing conditions, from the frustrating calm of the doldrums, to icebergs and some of the stormiest waters of the world in the Southern Ocean.

Philip was keen to do something 'adventurous' and so formed part of the non-professional crew of Samsung Ocean Racing. Whilst away he kept us up to date with his team's progress and the weather he encountered along the way by writing an online diary. Now he's completed his challenge you can read all about it, week by week...

Global Challenge - Time for Reflection