Brad Van Liew’s Eco 60 sailing yacht Le Pingouin and Garry Golding’s Oz sailing yacht have been both released from their sheds after their makeovers, and are ready to hit the waters in order to get ready for the VELUX 5 OCEANS race.

Both Brad Van Liew’s Eco 60 Le Pingouin yacht and Garry Golding’s sailing yacht Oz have made it to the water after months of refitting. Le Pingouin, formerly yacht Pro Form, has been given a stunning golden paint job and proudly sports a penguin logo on its hull. Australian sailor Golding’s yacht meanwhile has been transformed from Dee Caffari’s yellow and blue yacht Aviva 1 into Oz, with white hull and patriotic gold and green topsides.

Garry Golding sailing yacht Oz - Image credit to onEdition

Le Pingouin and Oz are the first boats to emerge from the shed as the VELUX 5 OCEANS racers make their final preparations for the 30,000-mile singlehanded race around the world, which starts in La Rochelle, France, on October 17.

“We’ve redesigned the deck and cabin to suit my sailing style, repainted her with some awesome and eye-catching graphics, and brought every facet, no matter how minute, up to the highest standards possible for an ocean-going racer,” said Van Liew. “This will not only be my home for nine months, but she’s my survival pod, my life raft, and will need to keep me safe for 30,000 miles of wild ocean sailing. Our equipment is the best, our shore team is the best, and we’re ready.”

Velux 5 Oceans 2006/2007 - Image credit to onEdition

Golding added: “Getting the boat back in the water is a real milestone for us. It’s been really hard work but she looks amazing. We are really proud of Oz and are very grateful to everyone who has helped get her this far.”

Golding will step the mast on yacht Oz at the end of the week. Both Van Liew and Golding will then make last minute tweaks to their yachts before setting sail on their qualification passages later this month