Felipe Cubillos this week signed up to enter the Velux 5 Oceans in a quest to become the first Chilean sailor ever to circumnavigate the world single-handed. Felipe adds a South American flavour to the internationally diverse field of the solo challenge event Velux 5 Oceans – the former Around Alone race organised by Robin Knox-Johnston’s Clipper Ventures starting in October this year.

Father of four Felipe, from Santiago, started sailing at the age of seven in a Sabot called “Chichester”, named in honour of Sir Francis Chichester who famously circumnavigated the world on his own in 1967 aboard Gypsy Moth IV. Felipe then progressed onto numerous other classes such as Lightning, Laser, J-24 and oceans boats. Importantly, he was member of the Chilean Olympic and Pan-American sailing teams and skipper of a Swan 46 and 47, and is currently tactician of a new IMS 46.

Felipe, also a lawyer and successful entrepreneur, announced in Santiago: “I am very excited to announce my entry in the Velux 5 Oceans and race against such a strong field of sailors. I plan to learn from them, sail fast, select the right tactics, and arrive safely at the end. I am determined to be the first Chilean to complete a single-handed round the world race, and cannot wait to be the first boat to fly the Chilean flag around Cape Horn. It has been my lifelong dream to sail the Southern Oceans alone and I am looking forward to being on the start line in Bilbao.”

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: “We warmly welcome Felipe into this unique club of intrepid heroes. We pride ourselves on being accessible to people from all walks of life who dream of sailing around the world single-handed. This race pitches the elite solo sailors of the IMOCA circuit, such as Mike Golding and Bernard Stamm, against amateur sailors for whom this race is the ultimate challenge of their lives. However, there is no reason to believe that dedicated and determined individuals such as Felipe do not pose a threat to the winning podium. In this race, anything is possible.”