Golden Globe approaches checkpoint

(November 4, 2022; Day 62) – Sixteen solo sailors set sail two months ago to race nonstop around the world in small 36-foot yachts without modern technology using sextants, paper charts, and wind up clocks. The Golden Globe Race leaders are now in sight of Cape Town with the first arriving in two days. All must pass through a compulsory “Photo Gate” in Grangers Bay to drop letters and video films before continuing on around the world without stopping.

Three entrants have already retired from the Race, one grounding ashore onto rocks in the Canary Islands. Many are now infested with barnacles seriously slowing their speed and others are in need of repairs that cannot be carried out at sea. Two are running low on water. Some may need to anchor in Grangers bay to fix their problems. They cannot go ashore or seek any outside assistance or they will be penalized.

South African sailor Kirsten Neuschäfer from Port Elizabeth, the only female entrant, is sailing a strong race and is a serious contender for a podium finish in Les Sables d’Olonne, France. Her yacht is in great shape and she is excited to see family and friends as she sails past Cape Town.

Jeremy Bagshaw (RSA), who entered the GGR on the smallest boat of the fleet and sailed his OE32 from Cape Town to Gijon and Les Sables d’Olonne in July, is sailing a good race on the way back to South African, but is currently facing a barnacle invasion on the hull of Olleanna that he needs to solve before entering the Indian Ocean.

Entrants anchoring will probably be just off the foreshore at Granger Bay and easily visible to anyone on the foreshore. Cape Town sailors and friends visiting by boat are reminded that they cannot touch any boats, pass anything to any entrant or take anything from an entrant or they may be seriously penalized or even disqualified from the race.

The approach to Cape Town has been notable as different strategies converge, with the leader Simon Curwen (GBR) and GGR 2018 veteran Tapio Lehtinen (FIN) picking the north side of the high-pressure system and South African sailor Kirsten Neuschäfer taking a daring option south of it in company of Pat Lawless (IRL).

Arrival times are not yet certain but this is the current estimate:
Simon Curwen: November 6 – Afternoon
Kirsten Neuschäfer: November 7 – Afternoon
Tapio Lehtinen: November 7 – Evening
Pat Lawless: November 8 – Evening
Jeremy Bagshaw: November 12

Race Chairman Don McIntyre will be on the water at the GGR Cape Town Film Gate line to greet the skipper, collect the photo, video and written material, and interview them should the weather conditions allow. Nothing is given to the entrants, and all Entrants must cross this line with at least one reef in the mainsail and drop all headsails for 20 minutes.

Event details – Entry list – Tracker – Facebook

Top 8 of 13

2022 GGR competitors:
Abhilash Tomy (43) / India / Rustler 36
Arnaud Gaist (50) / France / BARBICAN 33 MKII (long keel version)
Damien Guillou (39) / France / Rustler 36
Elliott Smith (27) / USA / Gale Force 34
Ertan Beskardes (60) / UK / Rustler 36
Guy Waites (54) / UK / Tradewind 35
Ian Herbert Jones (52) / UK / Tradewind 35
Jeremy Bagshaw (59) / South Africa / OE32
Kirsten Neuschäfer (39) / South Africa / Cape George 36
Michael Guggenberger (44) / Austria / Biscay 36
Pat Lawless (66) / Ireland / Saga 36
Simon Curwen (63) / UK / Biscay 36
Tapio Lehtinen (64) / Finland / Gaia 36 Masthead sloop

Retired
Edward Walentynowicz (68) / Canada / Rustler 36 (dropped out Sept. 8)
Guy deBoer (66) / USA / Tashiba 36 (ran aground Sept. 16)
Mark Sinclair (63) / Australia / Lello 34 (retired in Lanzarote Sept. 22)

About the 2022 Golden Globe Race
On September 4, 2022, the third edition of the Golden Globe Race started from Les Sables d’Olonne, France. Sixteen skippers 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, competitors must sail in production boats between 32 and 36 feet overall and designed prior to 1988 that have a full-length keel with rudder attached to their trailing edge. Additionally, sailors have limited communication equipment and can use only sextants, paper charts, wind up clocks, and cassette tapes for music.

Source: GGR