Golden Globe Race: Right idea at the right time

The 2018 Golden Globe Race was announced on April 22, and already 26 solo sailors have made a commitment to enter. Hundreds more from just about every continent bar Antarctica have asked for information. The 30,000 mile around the globe non-stop and unassisted race will set off from Falmouth, Cornwall on June 14.

“The idea of a solo race that returns to the golden era of sailing has obviously hit a cord,” says Don McIntyre, the Australian race founder. As a result, the entry limit has been extended from 20 to 30 competing yachts. Competitors will race standard 32-36ft long-keeled production yachts designed prior to 1988, and carry only the equipment that was available in 1968.

The vision is to model the race to a time and place similar to when Sir Robin Knox-Johnston sailed his famous yacht Suhaili to become the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world. Entrants will have nothing more than HF and VHF radios, a sextant and a barometer, with the start of the race to be on the same day as when Robin set out on his record setting odyssey, 50 years earlier.

“That means no GPS, no electric auto pilots, no computers or wind instruments, no satellite phones or iPods,” says McIntyre enthusiastically. “This race takes us back to the pre-digital era when men like Sir Robin faced only the elements, and not other competitors with unlimited budgets and a shore team to talk them through every weather change.”

The Race will take around 300 days. For details go to www.goldengloberace.com