Every time we start to get down on the media invisibility of the paltry four-boat Velux 5 Oceans Race fleet, something brings us back to what the race is all about: History, spirit, and the race that launched it all: The Open 60, IMOCA (founding members including Brad, Gio Soldini, and Isabelle Autissier), and the ascendency (and death) of some of the biggest names in the history of solo ocean racing are the legacies of this race. Whether it will be able to continue without a complete makeover is another story…
Thursday night was the awards ceremony for Leg 4 of the world’s oldest round-the-world race, and if we could’ve had audio for the dozen stories Race Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston told about the good ol’ days…man. That guy is gold. You can check out the entire awards ceremony here if you want to have a few laughs (and maybe a tear) from Sir Robin, Race Director David Adams, and the skippers, but if you’re going to watch one thing from this event, check out the hauntingly beautiful slideshow that Ainhoa Sanchez ran on the big screen, bringing tears to the eyes of literally dozens of competitors and their families.
Be sure to keep an eye on the Sailing Anarchy live video page to check out our live streaming video coverage of the start of the FINAL leg of the Velux race this Saturday from Charleston Harbor.
