What it means to be truly alive

The inaugural Ocean Globe Race (OGR) was a fully crewed, retro race, in the spirit of the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race, marking the 50th Anniversary of the original event. Racing without computers, GPS, and high-tech materials, the 2023-24 race had 14 teams navigating with sextants and paper charts along the 4-leg course round the world.

The survey results of the 220 participants are now available. The findings are a fascinating account of individual experiences, the challenge, hardships, and fear of the grueling wilderness legs across the southern oceans. The lack of sleep, cramped quarters, basic food and getting on with others in tight spaces is a constant theme.

But none had regrets. They tell of the highs and lows that changed their lives. It’s a brutally honest human document. They lived a dream but at times they did not realize it.

“The OGR is an adventure that strips life down to its purest form and reminds us what it means to be truly alive,” noted Campbell Mackie, skipper of the Baltic 55 Outlaw. The first edition was spectacularly rewarding for those of us who accepted the challenge.”

Four yachts from 2023 – Galiana, Outlaw, Explorer, and Neptune – have entered the next edition to start from Europe in 2027. A new IRC point score system for each leg will determine the overall winner of the OGR. Both line honors and IRC winners are recognized for each of the four Legs, but there is only one overall winner of the race and that is the IRC winner.

Once a week full weather information is available for safety to the fleet, but then it is back to barometer and radio forecasting. Mixed gender crew requirements and at least one under 24 years remain. All dacron sails remain but some special cloth increasing durability will be allowed.

Fuel consumption is restricted to 180 liters for the entire race and there after 10 minutes penalty is applied for every liter consumed. A crew member trained as a Cetacean observer must be on each leg to record observations and interactions.

The final course closely following the original 1973 Whitbread is expected to be announced in the weeks ahead.

OGR2027-28