Infotech is a proud sponsor of the Global Challenge 2004-2005 race. We have already sponsored and won several yatching races including the inaugrual Transact 2002 and the Round Britain and Ireland 2003 Race. Prior to the Global Challange we will also be sponsoring the Round Britain and Ireland 2004 Race.

The event itself is a multifaceted experience with a large business community both sponsoring and supporting the race - over 120 organizations can participate in the event through a variety of sponsorship and partnerships. A global audience of spectators will also be supporting the race, visiting the ports of call, following the event on websites and through coverage in the World's media.

We will be keeping our website updated with the latest news and events surrounding the race so keep checking back. To visit our special Global Challenge News page please click here.

About Global Challenge 2004-2005

Dubbed 'the world's toughest yacht race', Global Challenge 2004 - 2005 goes the 'wrong way' around the world against the prevailing winds and currents. Crewed by people from all walks of life, the identical fleet ensures that only the seamanship, skill and determination of those taking part make the difference between winning and losing.

30,000 nautical miles, 150 days at sea, 50-foot waves and winds over 70 miles per hour - conditions that make the Global Challenge truly the challenge of a lifetime, the adventure of a lifetime. Embracing the extreme conditions of the world's oceans - from the unpredictable calm of the doldrums to the huge seas, icebergs and gale force winds of the Southern Ocean - the race is an extraordinary test of personality and human endeavour - pushing everyone to the limit.

On Sunday 3rd October 2004, twelve identical 72ft ocean racing yachts will set sail from Portsmouth and race head to head around the world. Each yacht will be crewed by seventeen ordinary men and women drawn from a variety of different backgrounds, ages and abilities. Led by a professional skipper, they will all have one common objective, to achieve something extraordinary and to win the prestigious Princess Royal Trophy on their return.

The race will take them around the world the wrong way, against the prevailing winds and currents, stopping in Buenos Aires, Wellington, Sydney, Cape Town, Boston and Northern Europe before returning to Portsmouth in the UK to a heroes welcome some 10 months later. Conditions will range from the unpredictable calms of the doldrums to the immense seas of the southern oceans, where the crews will encounter icebergs and gale force winds.

Only teamwork, seamanship and determination will guide them through as they are tested to the extreme.

The race was first held in 1992, sponsored by British Steel, and BT sponsored the race in 1996 and 2000. The sponsored teams consist of 1 Skipper and 17 non-professional Crew, 12 identical 72-foot steel hulled Challenge yachts battling 70-foot waves and 70 knot winds.