The hardest race on earth

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Having completed the Antarctica Cup Racetrack in just 102 days, Russian solo circumnavigator Fedor Konyukhov has opened the door to an exciting new challenge in ocean racing.

The purpose for Fedor's voyage was to explore the Southern Oceans and set a new race route around the globe. The route is now set and it takes in some of the most inhosptiable parts of the planet.

The Antarctica Racetrack differs from other circumnavigation routes in that its outer and inner boundaries are located between latitude 45° South and latitude 60° South - meaning the competitors must brave huge storms, freezing temperatures, and the ever present threat of collision with icebergs and whales.

The racetrack is divided into three 'lanes' and each competitor must make their way through each of the 18 'gates'.

On his return to Albany, Western Australia on 7th May, 56 year old Fedor threw down the gauntlet to yachtsmen around the world to break his 102 day record.

However, when asked if he was keen to improve his own time he replied, "Having just spent 95 days in the Roaring Forty and Furious Fifty latitudes, I'm not planning to go back in the near future.

However, the Southern Ocean does provide the most spectacular sailing conditions in the world, but if I go again, it will be with a crew to make the most of the wild surfing rides."

The adventurer, who has already climbed Everest twice, was full of praise for his Open 85ft mono-hull, "We have done 30,000 miles together and I now have the greatest respect for her.

What I am really looking forward to now however is a nice thick steak, a shower, clean sheets, and twelve hours of sleep. It sounds basic, but that is exactly what I need."

To commemorate this inaugural voyage, Bob Williams, Chairman of the Antarctica Cup Race Management announced that they will name Gate 12 (0º W - 0º E) within the Racetrack as the Konyukhov Gate.

The Antarctica Cup will now be an annual event and Fedor's exploits have sparked considerable interest around the world; entries for the next ‘opening of the racetrack' (from December to March) are currently being planned from the USA, Europe and Australasia. www.antarcticacup.com.

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