Closure for 2018-19 Golden Globe Race

On September 4, 2022, the third edition of the Golden Globe Race will start from Les Sables d’Olonne, France. Twenty-three sailors from 13 countries will face eight months of isolation sailing 30,000 miles across five oceans solo non-stop and unassisted.

This race, which features the type of boats and equipment from the first edition in 1968-69, will soon have closure for the second edition when Mark Sinclair (AUS) completes the course that he started with 16 others in 2018. He is expected to cross the finish line on May 27 in Les Sables d’Olonne, France.

During the 2018-19 race, Sinclair was plagued by barnacle growth which slowed his pace, and as he was running out of water, he made the decision to stop his voyage in Adelaide, South Australia after completing only half the course.

However, as there was no finishing time limit, and he only made the one-stop, he was able to re-join under the Chichester Class which was created for this sort of instance.

Sinclair set sail from Adelaide on December 5, 2021, solo non-stop bound for Les Sables d’Olonne, officially re-joining the GGR 2018-19 edition. He will have been at sea for 167 days, having endured four severe storms when rounding Cape Horn in February 2022 which severely tested him and his Lello 34.

He damaged his forestay and equipment below but survived, though one week ago he was knocked down twice in big seas damaging his inner forestay and his last satellite phone. He is now making slow but steady progress toward Les Sables having secured the mast and is down to just one quarter roll of toilet paper.

Five of the 17 skipper completed the 2018-19 Golden Globe Race non-stop, with Sinclair to be the final finisher and sole candidate for the Chichester Class. More so, he will then begin his preparation to do it all over again in the 2022-23 edition.

Event details – Entry list – Facebook

About the 2022 Golden Globe Race
On September 4, 2022, the third edition of the Golden Globe Race will start from Les Sables d’Olonne, France. Twenty-three sailors from 13 countries will face eight months of isolation sailing 30,000 miles across five oceans solo non-stop and unassisted.

In 1968, while man was preparing to take his first steps on the moon, a mild mannered and modest young man was setting out on his own record breaking voyage of discovery. He had entered the original Golden Globe. Nine men started that first solo non-stop sailing race around the World. Only one finished. He was 29 year old Sir Robin Knox Johnston. History was made. Navigating only with a sextant, paper charts and an accurate and reliable time piece, Sir Robin navigated around the world.

In 2018, to celebrate 50 years since that first record breaking achievement, the Golden Globe Race was resurrected. It instantly gained traction with adventurers, captivated by the spirit and opportunity. Eighteen started with five finishers. To embrace the original race, boat types were restricted and sailors used only sextants, paper charts, wind up clocks, and cassette tapes for music.

Source: GGR