Alec Lochore

Azure has not been stripped down for racing and her crew says they have 'a healthy amount of wine, beer, red meat and chocolate'.

Anthony Hopkins

Eternity of Hamble is a Bowman 42 owned by Pat Jackson. Her success record includes a fifth overall in 1997 ARC. In between ARCs, Eternity has berths on the Hamble, in Falmouth and North Brittany. She is used for cruising and some inshore/offshore racing, and in eight years has covered 40,000 miles.

Brendan West

Forty-five year old Brendan West is watch leader aboard the Farr 65 Spirit of Juno. Brendan, who's sailing with an all-amputee crew from BLESMA (the British Limbless ex. Servicemen's Association), had his left leg amputated in 1979 as a result of a road accident while serving in the army.

He started sailing in 1996 taking part in the BT Global Challenge. During the race, he broke his one remaining leg in the Southern Ocean 2,400s mile from land and was strapped in his bunk for 17 days until yacht Time & Tide reached Wellington. After the break healed he rejoined the race for the final two legs. He joined BALSAM in 1979 and has taken part in many races including the fastnet in 1981. He does not intend to be injured in this race.

Ilkka Liukkonen

Ilkka's first Atlantic crossing was in 1991 as a crewmember in the first two legs of Europe 92 Round the World Rally. Now, 14 years later during a sabbatical year, his dream of competing in the ARC has come true.