It takes tremendous courage, determination and persistence to race around the world alone. Derek is the 126th brave sailor to have ever done it. As perspective, this is fewer than the 400 astronauts who have gone into space or the over 15,000 mountaineers who have reached the summit of Mt. Everest. It is a tremendous accomplishment under normal circumstances, but Derek Hatfield’s story is truly inspiring.

Starting in September 2002 and ending in May of 2003, Derek completed over 28,700 nautical miles in the “Around Alone” Single-handed Yacht Race. Derek built the boat with friends and family and despite major obstacles along the way, was 1 of 10 international competitors and the only Canadian to finish the gruelling event. On May 31st 2003, after almost eight months at sea, Derek arrived in Newport – the finish line – to a hero’s welcome. Hundreds of people came out to pay homage to a man who just wouldn’t quit. Finishing an amazing 1st in fleet and 3rd place overall in Class II; Derek was the fastest 40′ boat throughout the event.

After finishing the Around Alone in 2003, Derek realized that with the tremendous support that he had received before and during the Around Alone he could build an IMOCA Open 60 racing boat and represent Canada once again in the Vendee Globe 2008; a non-stop non-assisted solo race around the planet. Derek wasn’t alone on the boat as he had the support of over 6,000 people on the boat with him. Their names were printed on the hull. After almost four years of building and fundraising, Derek started the Vendee Globe and became the first Vendee Globe competitor to fly the Canadian flag. It was an amazing achievement for Derek; it was an amazing achievement for Canada.

On December 28, 2008 after 50 days at sea, Derek was forced to retire from the Vendee Globe 2008 after a large breaking wave rolled the Open 60 Algimouss Spirit of Canada breaking two of the mast spreaders. Unable to complete repairs without outside assistance, Derek was forced to retire from the race and headed for Hobart in Tasmania. Only 11 of the original 30 starters were able to complete the gruelling race.

The next challenge will be the VELUX 5 Oceans race, formerly the Around Alone. The start line is in France, and the route will take the racers around the world via stopovers in Cape Town, Wellington, Salvador de Bahia, Charleston and then back to La Rochelle in France.

After a successful career with the R.C.M.P. and a number of years managing compliance activities for brokerage firms in the securities industry, Derek is now an entrepreneur, motivational speaker and sailor.

Around Alone: Lessons From The World's Most Challenging Race

    If sports are a metaphor for life, and all of its concerns - personal, financial, business, family - then imagine the lessons we can learn from the world's most difficult, challenging, and grueling individual competition: single handed open ocean sailing. Derek Hatfield draws out these lessons in a fascinating and visually stimulating presentation that tells the story of his successful completion of the Around Alone race. From perseverance, to teamwork (he was on the boat alone but had to work closely with his support team on shore), to focus and entrepreneurial drive, Derek weaves a tale that is both practical and motivational, and sure to resonate with any audience looking to embrace challenges and rejuvenate its competitive spirit. As a successful businessman and entrepreneur, Derek understands the importance of putting forth a consistent message, and works hard with event organizers to make sure he is aligning his talk with key company values. The result is one of the most interesting, unique, and impactful keynotes available today.

Motorsports,