Golden Globe: Descending the Atlantic

Sixteen solo skippers started the 2026-27 Golden Globe Race on September 6 from Les Sables-d’Olonne, France. The fourth edition continues the “retro race” format in which 32-36 foot production boats designed prior to 1988, without modern technology, compete in the non-stop contest. Here is an update from October 5:

A month into the 2026 edition, the fleet has already split in two as Damien Guillou, a Frenchman in a Rustler 36 called Solarem, leads with Pat Lawless (IRL) on a Saga 36 in second, 222 miles back. Their next important waypoint is Trindade Island, off the coast of Brazil, which they must leave to port.

The third boat, Ertan Beskardes’ Miss Beagle, is the better part of a thousand miles behind them, finally breaking away from the light airs off the African coast while the two leaders ride an easterly down the South Atlantic.

The top three were all in the previous race, held in 2022, until they had to retire in Cape Town, South Africa.

American skipper Guy deBoer stopped in Lanzarote on September 18 for structural repairs on his Tashiba 36, resuming racing today and is now approximately 2700 nm behind the leader. He will, however, be delegated to the Chichester Class for receiving assistance.

Racing his Endurance 35, Selim Yalcin stopped in Cadiz, Spain for radio repairs on September 22 and formally retired on September 26.

Retired
Selim Yalcin / Turkey/ Endurance 35 ( Sept. 26; Cadiz, Spain)

Race details – Entry list – Tracker – Facebook

In 1968, nine started the first solo non-stop sailing race around the World with 29 year old Sir Robin Knox Johnston as the lone finisher. He navigated only with a sextant, paper charts, and an accurate and reliable time piece, and the Golden Globe Race seeks to recreate the challenge.

Competitors must sail in production boats between 32-36 foot overall designed prior to 1988 that have a full-length keel with rudder attached to their trailing edge. Similarly, entrants must sail without modern technology or the benefit of satellite-based navigation aids.

In 2018, 18 started with five finishers for the second edition. When repeated in 2022, there were three finishers from 16 starters. Along the route there were several marks of the course and media requirements. For the fourth edition, after 29 solo sailors from 12 countries initially entered, 16 have fulfilled the requirements to start from Les Sables-d’Olonne, France on September 6, 2026.