Golden Globe: Randmaa Approaching Finish

(March 4, 2019; Day 247) – Third placed Estonian sailor Uku Randmaa has had the wind gods with him this past week, and after chalking up a number of 130+ mile days, is now within 600 miles of the finish of the Golden Globe Race and due back in Les Sables d’Olonne around Mid-day on March 9, 2019.

If you plan to attend his welcome home after 251 days of solitary sailing around the Globe, email Celine@goldengloberace.com to reserve a place on the press boat and at the press conference that will follow his return ashore.

4th placed American/Hungarian Istvan Kopar is set to finish on March 18, leaving just Finland’s Tapio Lehtinen at sea. He is not expected until early May.

The 2018 GGR prize giving in Les Sables d’Olonne is set for April 22 – the day that Sir Robin Knox-Johnston completed the first solo non-stop circumnavigation 50 years before.

The celebrations will include a Press Conference and one-to-one interview opportunities with the 2018 GGR skippers, an announcement and introduction to skippers entering the next GGR in 2022, and publication of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s eagerly awaited independent report on lessons learned in heavy weather and survival techniques employed by skippers during the 2018 Race.

There will also be opportunities to sail aboard Bernard Moitessier’s famous 1968/9 Golden Globe Race yacht Joshua throughout the weekend from Port Olona on April 20-22, organized by the Friends of the Maritime Museum of La Rochelle.

Event details – Entry list – Tracker – Facebook

Background:
The 2018 Golden Globe Race started for 17 skippers from Les Sables d’Olonne on Sunday July 1, 2018, with the inaugural solo non-stop around the world yacht race expected to take 9-10 months to complete.

The event marks the 50th anniversary of the Sunday Times Golden Globe solo non-stop round the world race in 1968-69 when rules then allowed competitors to start from ports in northern France or UK between June 1st and October 31st.

A notable twist to the 2018 Golden Globe Race format is how entrants are restricted to using the same type of yachts and equipment that were available in that first race, with the premise being to keep the race within financial reach of every dreamer.

The rules allow for one breach of the strict solo, non-stop un-assisted circumnavigation without the aid of modern electronic navigation aids regulations that make this Race unique. However, those that do move down to the Chichester Class as if, like Sir Francis Chichester in 1966-67, they have made one stop during their solo circumnavigation.

Those who breach the rules for a second time are deemed to have retired from the GGR Event and the organisers have no responsibility or obligation to them.

Source: GGR