Velux 5 Oceans - Skippers celebrated at Ocean Sprint 1 prize giving

The prize giving for Ocean Sprint 1, of the VELUX 5 OCEANS, in the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town. Velux 5 Oceans

American skipper Brad Van Liew is awarded a Nautica Watch by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston for his 1st place © Velux 5 Oceans

The Velux 5 Oceans skippers, their crews and the race team gathered at Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred Waterfront yesterday evening for a celebration of ocean sprint one, the first of five that make up the 30,000 nautical mile Ultimate Solo Challenge. It was a double celebration for Brad as he not only picked up the maximum 12 points for winning the first leg but also three bonus points for posting the quickest timed run between the latitudinal speed gates of 5N and 5S. He passed between the two latitudes in two days, six hours and six minutes.

Veteran singlehander Brad is a past winner of the Velux 5 Oceans, having taken the top spot in class two in the 2002/3 edition. He first entered the race in 1998, finishing third in class two.

Polish ocean racer Zbigniew ‘Gutek’ Gutkowski, an experienced offshore yachtsman but a newcomer to solo sailing, took second place and also two bonus points for the second fastest timed run. Canadian Derek Hatfield took the final podium position for ocean sprint one, plus one timed run bonus point.

Race chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: 'All of our skippers did fantastically well on ocean sprint one, with everyone making it safely to Cape Town from La Rochelle. The skippers all showed determination, grit and true seamanship, qualities that define the Velux 5 Oceans. We all wish them well for ocean sprint two.'

Here’s the leaderboard after ocean sprint one:

© SW

Details of the communications prize winners were also announced at the ceremony. These prizes recognise the efforts of the skippers to tell their stories through blogs, photos and videos and were judged by Velux 5 Oceans communications director Tim Kelly, VELUX press manager Ghita Bohring and local journalist Alex Petersen. The award for best photography was given to Gutek, Brad won the best video award and Derek was presented the prize for the best blogs.

You can check out one of the judging panel's favourite videos from Brad on leg one here: www.velux5oceans.com/index.php?id=812

Ocean sprint two starts from Cape Town at 2pm local time (12pm UTC) on Sunday, December 12.

Polish skipper Zbigniew ’Gutek’ Gutkowski receives his Nautica Watch from Sir Robin Knox-Johnston for his 2nd place © Velux 5 Oceans

Canadian skipper Derek Hatfield receives his trophy for 3rd place © Velux 5 Oceans

British skipper Chris Stanmore-Major receives his gift from Anne-Marie Hasselbalch of VELUX, for 4th place © Velux 5 Oceans

Belgian skipper Christophe Bullens receives his Nautica watch, from Sir Robin Know-Johnston for 5th place © Velux 5 Oceans