Derek Hatfield

Only 126 sailors have ever raced around the world alone, including Canadian Derek Hatfield.

Starting in September 2002, Hatfield and his boat, The Spirit of Canada, completed over 28,700 nautical miles in the “Around Alone” Single-handed Yacht Race.  He was one of only ten international competitors, and the only Canadian to finish the competition. During the fourth leg of the race, off Cape Horn, Hatfield fought 60-foot waves during a Southern Ocean gale which pitch-poled Spirit of Canada, throwing Hatfield overboard.

Over the next four weeks, Derek and his supporters worked to repair the boat, eventually getting back on the racetrack. He finished “Around Alone” on May 8th, 2003, after almost eight months at sea. Despite his setback, Hatfield finished in 3rd place overall in Class II, and had the fastest 40-foot boat throughout the race.

Throughout Hatfield’s career as a sailor, he has placed first in the 1996 Legend Cup Transatlantic Race, second place in the 1997 and 1999 Bermuda One Two, and, in 2003, was named both the Rolex and Ontario Sailor of the Year.

Prior to becoming a professional sailor, Hatfield had a successful career with the RCMP, as well as with the Securities Industry.  Hatfield and the Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges Team are currently building a 60-foor Class I Spirit of Canada, and plan to race around the world again in the Five Oceans Race in 2006.