Some observers feel this event may not reappear.

There is, I understand, still no major backer for Chay Blyth's new race. And, beginning in 2009, Solo-Oceans will run every two years with one race per year. The race will be sailed in one designs with identical hull, equipment and sails - a device to make sponsorship more affordable, they say. Then there's a new Global Ocean Challenge for 40 and 50ft boats.

So that's the Vendee Globe, the Clipper Race, the Velux 5 Oceans, the Barcelona World Race, the Global Ocean Challenge and the Solo-Oceans: have I missed any? And they're all chasing funds. It's all a bit confusing for the sponsors.

Oh; and there's the Volvo Ocean Race.

Undaunted (or perhaps encouraged) by near disasters, the next race will start in 2008 from Alicante and include stopovers in Asia, the Middle East and the west coast of the United States.

Which means the race will stick to calmer waters - no more media-friendly Roaring Forties and Screaming Fifties.

Is that to make the sponsors feel slightly easier, or to ensure those with the biggest budget get the race in their chosen territory?

One thing is certain. Ocean racing desperately needs a body - like the FIA in motor racing - to oversee the myriad of events.

Event organisers claim ISAF takes too much money, but there's no other organisation placed so handily to take this on and make ocean racing less confusing for the sponsors.

Time to talk, perhaps?