FAREWELL PARTY AND PRIZE GIVING MARK THE END OF THE GLOBAL CHALLENGE 2004/05

Taken from News Report on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 08:03 PM

Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth was the scene of a spectacular party last night – the crew party for the 200+ men and women who were celebrating the completion of their around the world adventure, The Global Challenge 2004/5.
There were mixed emotions for the crew with many feeling slightly lost now the whole adventure is over whilst others were over the moon and delighted to be back on dry land raring to get on with the next challenge, the race having inspired them on.

Prior to the Tiger Tiger soiree, the official prize-giving ceremony took place outside on a stunning, blazing hot summer’s day. Under the colossal and impressive Spinnaker Tower in Gunwharf Quays hundreds of crew, friends, families and well-wishers packed around the stage. The atmosphere was electric as Tracey Clarke and Alistair Hackett took to the stage to welcome the crews, sponsors, press and onlookers to the last prize giving of the Global Challenge 2004/05.

First off were the prizes for Leg 7 – La Rochelle to Portsmouth.

The BP Safety Award was awarded to Matt Riddell, skipper of Samsung who collected the first prize of the evening. The BG 24-hour Record Award was VAIO, who did 203.4 miles in 24 hours; skipper Amedeo Sorrentino collecting the trophy.

Next was the Pindar ‘First to Cross the Leg 7 Start Line’ prize which went to VAIO who win a day’s sail on the Pindar Open 60 for 3 crew.

The Unisys/EMC Media Prize for Best Daily Log was awarded to John Bass, BP Explorer for a very emotive log describing how the crew felt when they missed a mark and had to turn back, effectively ending any real chance they had to take anything higher than 3rd place in the race overall.

The Unisys/EMC Rubber Chicken Award for the most comical/unusual incident was awarded to John Quigley and Challenge Yacht 36 – the prototype 72ft Challenge yacht that made the trip from La Rochelle to Portsmouth with guests of Challenge Business on board. They were jokingly accused of crossing the start line early, missing all the marks of the course, disobeying the sailing instructions and deliberately receiving outside assistance!

Next was the Best Photograph Award sponsored by VAIO which was awarded to a photograph made possible by the change to the course by the Race Committee to include a rounding of the Eddystone Lighthouse, an image of BG SPIRIT taken by SAIC La Jolla.

Next was the First Past Ushant Award sponsored by Carte Blanche, which was awarded to SAIC La Jolla.

Alistair Hackett then presented framed onEdition photographs to the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Robin Sparshatt, Druscilla Moody of Portsmouth City Council and Mike Davidson of Gunwharf Quays.

Next up were the awards for the first three teams to arrive in Portsmouth after yet another incredibly competitive leg, which ended in a tense run to the line in light winds.

The Third place for Leg Seven prize was presented to VAIO and second place went to Barclays Adventurer.

The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Robin Sparshatt then announced the leg winner, BG SPIRIT. Skipper Andy Forbes took the stage to receive the leg trophy for their dream homecoming into Portsmouth and said a few words thanking his team.

When the Leg 7 prizes had been awarded, the ceremony moved into the second stage – the overall prizes for the Global Challenge 2004/05.

The BP Overall Safety Award was awarded to the most consistent performer in the safety arena. Dee Caffari came to collect the prize on behalf of Imagine It. Done. who had received three of the seven leg BP Safety Awards.

The BG Overall 24-hour Record Award was awarded to Team Stelmar, who had the furthest 24 hour run of the entire race - 275.89 nmiles.

Best Overall Photograph Award sponsored by VAIO was presented to Giles Mackay of BP Explorer for a photo taken off Boston of a yacht becalmed, watching a competitor get away: a poignant reminder that light airs can, in some ways, be even more difficult to handle than the heaviest seas.

Next was the Sark Award for the Continual Development of a Global Challenge 2004/5 Crew Member. The prize (Donated by the Sark Tourism Committee) is a one-week holiday for two adults or a family of four on the Isle of Sark in 2006, including flights from the UK and ferry from Guernsey, staying at the luxury hotel Aval du Creux.

The prize for Best Onboard Sail Repairs was announced for the first time in Global Challenge history. Clive Cosby and his sail repair team went up to the stage to receive the custom prize of a section of sails and a custom trophy made from rope and shackles.

Nick MacAndrew, Chairman of Save the Children, presented the Third Place Overall prize for the Global Challenge. The overall third prize was given to BP Explorer who went up to the stage to the sound of their team song.

The Prize for Second Place Overall for Global Challenge was awarded to Barclays Adventurer. Skipper, Stuart Jackson and crew went up the stage to receive their trophy.

Next on the agenda was the presentation of a cheque for £300,000 to official race charity, Save the Children, presented by Sir Chay Blyth CBE BEM, Executive Chairman, Challenge Business to Nick MacAndrew, Chairman of Save the Children.

Sir Chay Blyth then presented Andy Forbes, winning skipper, with two return Upper Class tickets to the USA, sponsored by Virgin Atlantic. The crew were then invited to the stage, again in time to the crowds clapping along to the team song. Andy Forbes was presented with the Princess Royal Trophy, a confetti cannon fired and the loudest cheer of the evening went up as Andy lifted the trophy.

Andy Forbes thanked everyone involved in the race, especially the other crews. He said the race wasn't just about one team, it’s about all twelve, although he thanked his team especially for their journey over the last 10 months. “It’s your life, live it” were his final words.

Three cheers for the winning team marked the end of the ceremony and the teams gathered for a compilation video of the whole race on the big screen!

Overall results of the Global Challenge 2004/05

1 BG SPIRIT, 90 points
2 Barclays Adventurer, 76 points
3 BP Explorer, 74 points
4 Spirit of Sark, 73 points
5 Team SAIC La Jolla, 71 points
6 Team Stelmar, 66 points
7= Me To You, 63 points
7= VAIO, 63 points
9 Samsung, 58 points
10 Imagine It. Done., 56 points
11 Pindar, 54 points
12 Team Save the Children, 41 points