The 1985–86 Whitbread Round the World Race was the fourth edition of the around-the-world sailing event Whitbread Round the World Race. On 28 September 1985, 15 boats started out from Southampton for the Whitbread Round the World Race. L'Esprit d'Equipe skippered by Lionel Péan won the race in a corrected time of 111 days 23 hours. Phillips Innovator was second, and Swan 651 Fazer Finland third. (UBS Switzerland was named first on elapsed time, with Lion New Zealand as runner-up. Drum (carrying owner/pop star Simon Le Bon) finished just a breath behind.)