Golden Globe Race

On 4th September, the Golden Globe Race will start in Les Sables d’Olonne, France.

The race is inspired by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who in 1969 was the first sailor to sail around the world, non-stop and without assistance. It took him 312 days alone against the elements.

In 2019, Jean-Luc Van Den Heede repeated the feat by winning the first Golden Globe Race in 211 days.

The line-up

The 2022 edition will see 18 sailors across 11 nationalities start the race, including 2 South Africans – Jeremy Bradshaw and Kirsten Neuschäfer.

Also competing is Frenchman Damien Guillou, who worked as part of the Vendée Globe team of Jean Le Cam in 2016 and Kevin Escoffier in 2020. He will be sailing on the PRB Sailing Team, the two-time Vendée Globe winning sponsor.

Indian skipper Abhilash Tomy, originally from Mumbai, is one of the most prominent sailors in India. During the 2018 Golden Globe Race, after 83 days at sea, Abhilash Tomy was injured and had to be rescued thousands of kilometres from Australia. He is taking his revenge on this 2nd edition.

Only sextants, compasses and charts allowed

All the boats are 32–36-foot monohulls, built before 1988, whose technical characteristics are in line with the Suhaili, on which Sir Robin Knox-Johnston won the event in 1969. The only concession is the new safety equipment including a secure survival bag containing geo-localised communication equipment, which can be activated in absolute necessity. There is also a makeshift rigging in case the skippers dismast.

The Programme

The race starts on the 4th of September at 1.30pm. Other festivities and celebrations are planned as a lead up to the start.

Saturday 20th August

10h00 : Opening of the village

16h00 : Official presentation

19h30 : Globally Yours Concert with VDH

10h30 : Fireworks

Wednesday 24th August

15h00: Parade of the skippers

17h00: Prize-giving ceremony for the coastal course

Saturday 27th August

Big festival celebration

Friday 2nd September

21h00 : Musical show

Sunday 4 September: Grand Departure

13h00 : Departure from the channel

16h00 : Race start