Velux 5 Oceans - Skipper profile Derek Hatfield

by Velux 5 Oceans on 6 Oct 2010 Skipper

Name: Derek Hatfield

Age: 57 

Hometown: Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada 

Class: Eco 60 Boat: Spirit of Canada

Website: www.SpritofCanada.net

When Derek Hatfield started work as a Canadian mounted policeman in 1971, little did he know nearly 40 years on he would be one of the most respected solo sailors in the world. Back then he specialised in complex fraud investigations - now he specialises in racing state of the art yachts thousands of miles across the world's toughest oceans, alone.

In 2003, Derek showed the world what one man can achieve if they have passion, determination and skill. Then aged 50, the Canadian steered his yacht to a podium position in the VELUX 5 OCEANS (then known as the Around Alone). It was a magnificent achievement - during one of the legs Derek's yacht flipped over and its mast was destroyed in a huge storm off Cape Horn. Somehow Derek limped to land and spent five weeks repairing the damage before again setting sail. He was rewarded for his efforts with third place in the race. In recognition of this amazing feat Derek was named 2003 Rolex Canadian Sailor of the Year.

Derek has racked up around 90,000 miles at sea in some of the best known races and is undoubtedly Canada's most successful singlehanded sailor. In October the 57-year-old will return to the start line of the VELUX 5 OCEANS for the second time, ready to once again take on the Ultimate Solo Challenge.

For the 2008 Vendée Globe, Derek plastered the hull of his yacht with the names of every single person who helped him in his campaign, whether financially or in kind. It is something he has continued to do ever since and his Eco 60 yacht Spirit of Canada will be no exception.

The Yacht

Boat Name: Active house

Former Names: Solidaires, VM Materiaux, Great American III

Architect: Bernard Nivelt

Year Built & Boat Yard: 1999, Thierry Dubois

Year Launched: 1999

Length: 18.28m

Beam: 5.18m

Draught: 4.42m

Displacement (weight): 8.5 tonnes

Mast height: 26m

Rigging: fixed, carbon

Keel Blade: canting with steel fin

Upwind sail surface: 255m²

Downwind sail surface: 460m²

Previous Results: 

DNF 2000/1 Vendée Globe

2nd 2002 Around Alone

DNF 2005/6 Vendée Globe

9th 2008/9 Vendée Globe