Hatfield takes 3rd in Velux 5 Oceans

Derek Hatfield, Canada's top solo sailor, took third place in the 30,000-mile 2010/11 Velux 5 Oceans solo round the world yacht race. The 58-year-old sailed the 60-foot Active House across the finish line at 0707 UTC on May 29 in La Rochelle, France. Derek sailed a total of 32,216 miles which took 130 days, 17 hours, 42 minutes. Derek edged out Chris Stanmore-Major for 3rd place overall by only 3 points in the world's toughest sailing race.

Derek is the only Canadian to have sailed solo around the world twice. In the 2002/3 Velux 5 Oceans, his yacht was capsized and the mast lost rounding Cape Horn, but he managed to repair the boat and finished the race. In 2008 he raced in the Vendée Globe but he had to retire when his yacht's rig was damaged.

Derek said, "This was a huge project, two years in preparation and then nine months of sailing and to get it all done is amazing. The sense of accomplishment is huge. It will sink in a bit later when we're tied to the dock and able to relax a bit, but right now it feels good. ... It's my third race round the world, and my second complete circumnavigation. It feels good to be representing Canada and the flag, and that's what it's all about for us."

Canada loves you too Derek!
[www.velux5oceans.com]

Canadian Derek Hatfield standing 2nd in Velux 5 Oceans

Derek Hatfield is now tied for 2nd in the overall points heading into the final leg of the Velux 5 Oceans single-handed around-the-world sailing race. In sprint 4 he won the speed gate and came in 2nd. Sprint 5 from Charleston SC to France is 3,600-nautical miles and starts Saturday, May 14. Dekek's site is spiritofcanada.org. You can also follow news via Facebook, Twitter (@Velux5oceans) and the sponsor site Activehouse.info.

Canadian Derek Hatfield racing well in Velux 5 Oceans

Derek Hatfield, currently running a close 3rd in the Velux 5 Oceans race. The sailors have reached the Tasman Sea in the second sprint from South Africa to New Zealand, but they still have about 1000 miles to go, with a choice of routes to be made. You can view the boats on the Raceviewer and listen to his latest voice recording. Dekek's site is spiritofcanada.org. You can also follow news via Facebook, Twitter (@Velux5oceans) and the sponsor site Activehouse.info.

2 Canadians to race in Velux 5 Oceans

Canada currently has two sailors committed to race in the Velux 5 Oceans (former Around Alone) starting October 17: Derek Hatfield and John Dennis. Derek Hatfield has entered several ocean races in "Spirit of Canada". Hatfield was forced to quit the non-stop Vendee Globe 2008 in Australia. Dennis was forced to retire from the Around Alone 2002 on the third leg to New Zealand, and was the first sailor with diabetes to compete in a solo around-the-world race.

The Velux 5 Oceans is the longest single-handed event in the world - 30,000 nautical miles (55,000 km) around the world raced in legs in Open 60 monohull sailboats. [Velux 5 Oceans | John Dennis | spiritofcanada.net: Derek Hatfield ]