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Philip Avery training for the Global Challenge BBC Broadcast Meteorologist Philip Avery took a break from forecasting on the BBC to take part in the Global Challenge. Disclaimer The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.
The Global Challenge is known as the 'the world's toughest yacht race'. Sailing around the world 'the wrong way' against prevailing winds and currents is certainly not most people's idea of leisure sailing!
Every four years twelve teams battle against the elements, and each other, for ten gruelling months in order to cover the 30,000 mile course. Our very own Philip Avery and his team competed in 2004/5 and, along with the eleven other teams, departed Portsmouth on October 3rd set to visit Buenos Aires - Argentina, Wellington - New Zealand, Sydney - Australia, Cape Town - South Africa, Boston - USA and La Rochelle - France before returning to Portsmouth in July 2005.
The race takes in almost all possible sailing conditions, from the frustrating calm of the doldrums, to icebergs and some of the stormiest waters of the world in the Southern Ocean.
Philip was keen to do something 'adventurous' and so formed part of the non-professional crew of Samsung Ocean Racing. Whilst away he kept us up to date with his team's progress and the weather he encountered along the way by writing an online diary. Now he's completed his challenge you can read all about it, week by week...
Global Challenge - Time for Reflection
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Global Challenge - The Overview Global Challenge - The Weather The Challenge begins Two Gales and a Flat Calm Crossing the Doldrums Arrival in Buenos Aires Around Cape Horn The Race So Far From Wellington to Sydney The Southern Ocean Stopover in Capetown Into the South Atlantic Crossing the Doldrums Again! Boston From Boston to La Rochelle The Final Leg to Portsmouth Global Challenge - Time for Reflection
Philip Avery Biography
Global Challenge 2004
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