Around Alone stops and dates

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston confirms the route of this year's singlehanded round the world race

General information

Classes
Around Alone will have three classes.
Class I: Yachts of an 'open design' with an LOA greater than 50ft (>15.24m) and a maximum LOA of 60ft (18.28m) as per IMOCA rules.
Class II: Yachts of an 'open design' with a minimum LOA of 40ft (12.18m) and a maximum LOA of 50ft (15.24m) as per IMOCA rules.
Venturer class: boats of a 'Production' design or of a 'cruiser racer' type with overall length between 40ft (12.18m) and 60ft (18.28m).

Classes I and II will be run under the International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA) 2000 class association rules. The Venturer Class will abide by Around Alone stability and safety rules.

Closing date for entries is 31st March 2002.

Scoring
Scoring for Around Alone will change in 2002. A points system for the race will be introduced for each leg in place of elapsed times. A competitor will also be able to retire or disqualify themselves from a leg without being disqualified from the race. They can still be on the start line for the next leg. That competitor will however not be eligible for the overall prize, but leg prizes only.

Qualification
Each competitor is required to qualify for the race by completing an authenticated single-handed transoceanic voyage, of not less than 2,000 miles, without anchoring or putting into port, in the yacht entered in the race. The minimum entry age is 21 by 1st September 2002.

Routing
Personal routing will not be allowed for Around Alone. Any information that is specially prepared or individualised for a single competitor concerning the weather or routing will be forbidden. Only unmodified GRIB files will be allowed. Non-compliance with this rule will be disqualification from the Around Alone race.

Outside Assistance
Competitors who receive outside assistance will be disqualified from that leg, but providing all safety checks and rules have been complied with, a competitor may continue in the race, being eligibly only for leg prizes and not overall prizes. That competitor will however be awarded the prize all competitors receive for completing the course.