©Barry Picthall/PPL

On December 31, a fleet of the fastest ocean-racing machines ever built will set sail from Barcelona for what is called, with unapologetic bravado, The Race of the Millennium. The competition couldn't be any simpler-or more dangerous. There are no restrictions on boat design or crew size. There are no stops. And there is only one real rule: The fastest sailboat around the world wins. (First, of course, that boat's got to survive the screaming winds and ship-killing seas of the Southern Ocean, a death zone of merciless water necklacing the bottom of the globe.) So climb aboard for this brave and foolhardy drag race through the maelstrom-and hold on tight.

They Love These Machines
Fresh from the experience of a sailboat that surfed Southern Ocean greybeards at speeds over 40 knots, the sailors of Innovation Explorer sing her praises.

Annihilation
Club Med sails to victory and into the record books as the fastest ocean-racing sailboat ever. The hungover crew recounts the tales behind the boat's many scars.

Looking Ahead
With just a transatlantic run left, Skip Novak's already contemplating thefuture of maxicat racing.

Playing Catch Up
With only (?!) 4000 miles to go, Skip Novak agonizes over Innovation Explorer's strategy for snagging the lead from Club Med

Just this Side of Panic
The crew of Innovation Explorer cuts it close -- real close -- as they rip 'round Cape Horn and put the Southern Ocean behind them.

It Really Changes Everything
Speed records keep dropping as Innovation Explorer heads on a crash course with a storm barreling down on Cape Horn

Speeding to Cape Horn
Skip Novak gives the play by play of breaking the speed record while Innovation Explorer tries to catch up to Club Med.

Kissing Your Sister
Club Med and Innovation Explorer are officially halfway around the world, and these maxi-cats are FAST.

Demolition Sailing Derby
Innovation Explorer co-skipper Skip Novak reports from the cold and lonely Southern Ocean where they're contemplating repairs and bad weather ahead.

Inherent Danger
No sailboats have ever crossed the Southern Ocean's stormy face at such pace: in a single day, Club Med kissed the 600-mile mark and Innovation Explorer ran off 584.5 miles.

Titanic Nights
hotels in LimerickInnovation Explorer faces the miserable Southern Ocean and encounters fast winds, an iceberg near-miss, and daily equipment challenges.

Down the Mine
The seething Southern Ocean sent Team Adventure scrambling to Cape Town for repairs put Club Med in the lead.

Getting Ready for the Southern Ocean
ERROR MSGSkipper Skip Novak reports on a week of slow winds, sail repairs, and big plans for the upcoming Southern Ocean.

Game Over for PlayStation
After their port daggarboard shattered late on Saturday night, PlayStation withdrew from the 23,000 mile race around the world.

Warp Drive
After a 900 mile drag race with Team Adventure, Club Med wins the sprint to the equator.

Week One of A Wild Ride
Skip Novak, Innovation Explorer's coskipper brings us up to the very high speed of his first week in The Race.

The Race Is On
With Team Adventure in the lead, the six boats are off from the dock and into the drink, headed to the Doldrums' tricky "Pot of Tar."

And Then There Were Six
More on Goss, and a look at everyone's last-minute scrambling

Team Philips Abandoned
ERROR MSGPeter Goss's Team Philips suffered serious damage in the North Atlantic.

Racing to the Starting Line
A November update on boat preperations.

Go Speed Racer, Go
For American Cam Lewis, The Race is a chance to prove, once and for all, that he's not only one of the best pure sailors alive, but also a world-class skipper.
By Rob Buchanan

Real Cool Cat
discount hotels in EstorilAn analysis of the most innovative boat in The Race.
By Tim Zimmermann

Handicapping The Race
Meet the skippers who intend to risk-and win-it all.