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Around Alone
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| Since its beginnings in 1982, one race has captivated the minds of the world's sailing community, but few racers have dared to accept the challenge. One man (or woman) in one boat, facing months alone on the open seas, to make a 28,000-mile, world-girdling trip in several legs to return to the start point. This race was the BOC Challenge, sponsored by the British company BOC in its early editions, then renamed Around Alone. Now in its seventh edition, it is organized by Sir Robin Knox-Johnson under the name 5-Oceans, to start in the autumn of 2006. It continues to be the longest race on Earth for an individual in any sport.
Saito has competed in, and completed, three of these grueling races, to the admiration of many of the participants, organizers and spectators for his spunky "why not?" cheerful attitude. While rather less known in Japan, with its nascent sailing movement, Saito has been interviewed and photographed for stories in numerous publications along his way, and even won special recognition as embodying "The Spirit of Around Alone" at the closing ceremony of the 6th Around Alone Race in 1999 in Charleston SC.
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1990〜1991 |
1990
Minoru acquired 50-ft Shuten-dohji II. Sailed 12,000
nautical miles alone from Sydney to Newport, Rhode Island,
which helped to qualify entry into the BOC Challenge.
1990〜1991
Participated in the 3rd BOC Challenge.
Finished third in class (196 days and 20 hours).
Single-handedly sailed from Japan, crossing the Pacific
Ocean, through the Panama Canal, and up the U.S. East Coast
to Charleston, SC (starting point for the BOC Challenge). |
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1994〜1995
Participated in the 4th BOC Challenge
(his second), finishing sixth in class (223days).
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| After the race, returned to Japan single-handed,
departing the U.S. East Coast trans-Atlantic to England,
then through the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean,
thus effectively completing two global circumnavigations
in one continuous trip. Single-handed from Japan to Australia,
South Africa and England to join the Fifth BOC Challenge.
Participated and finished in Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic
Ocean Race. (Falmouth - Charleston, S.C.) |
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1998〜1999
Participated in the 5th running of
the BOC Challenge, under its new name of "Around Alone." |
For Saito, this was his
third global race, which at age 65 made him the eldest of
the challengers. He completed the race in 203 days, finishing
fifth in his class.
In fact, Saito won special recognition in Charleston, SC
as "The Spirit of Around Alone" at the closing
ceremony of the Sixth Around Alone Race in 1998/9. |
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| 2003〜2004 |
Decided
not to compete in the 6th Around Alone race but provided
active support in race headquarters.
Personally donated a large silver trophy, named the
Shuten-dohji II Prize, which is engraved
with the names of all Class 2 race winners. |
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| Brad
Van Liew, Minoru Saito and Sir Robin Knox
Jonstone |
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The climax of the evening
was awarding the first place prizes. Brad Van Liew won
the Shuten Doji trophy presented by three time Around
Alone veteran Minoru Saito and Bernard Stamm won the Around
Alone trophy.
The silver plate has been inscribed with all the names
of every Around Alone finisher since the first race and
holds huge significance for the winner.
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