Velux 5 Oceans - the final line-up

Eight boats to compete with Louis Duc's withdrawal

Up and coming French solo sailor Louis Duc today announced his withdrawal from the 2010/11 Velux 5 Oceans. Constrained by a lack of time and struggling to find sufficient financial support, the 26-year-old from was left with no choice but to concentrate on the 2014/15 edition of the race.

Race director David Adams said: “Louis is a promising solo sailor with lots of talent and it is a shame he will not be joining us for the 2010/11 edition of the Velux 5 Oceans. We sincerely hope to see Louis on the start line of the 2014/15 race and wish him the best of luck in the meantime. I am confident Louis will go on to become a prominent name in solo ocean racing.”

Eight ocean racers from seven nations are now set to be on the start line of the gruelling 30,000-mile round the world race, dubbed the Ultimate Solo Challenge. They are:

The eight ocean racers are now entering the final preparation stage before assembling in La Rochelle, France, on 26 September ahead of the race start on 17 October. Each skipper will shortly be setting off on their qualification passages before making last minute modifications to their Eco 60 yachts. A system of high-spec video and still-image cameras along with a satellite broadband link-up are also being installed on each yacht by onboard media specialists Marine Camera Solutions.