Unprecedented Interest in Retro Race

The 2018 Golden Globe yacht race now stands at thirty competitors who have paid the initial A$3,000 entry fee. Like the original Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in 1968, the 2018 Golden Globe Race is very simple. Depart Falmouth, England on June 14 and sail solo, non-stop around the world via the five Great Capes, and return to Falmouth.

Falmouth was the start and finish line for the 1968-9 race. Nine competitors started the original event, with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston as the only entrant to complete the race, thus becoming the first person to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world.

For the 2018 contest, entrants are limited to use the same type of yachts and equipment that were available to Knox-Johnston in the first race. Three of the yachts that competed in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race – Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s Suhaili, Bernard Moitessier’s Joshua, and Loïck Fougeron’s Captain Browne – are expected to attend the 2018 start.

Race founder Don McIntyre had planned to compete in the 2018 Golden Globe Race, and has already bought a Tradewind 35 yacht to prepare for the event, but the unprecedented interest in the Race has made him realise that the event requires his fulltime leadership.

“When I first came up with the idea to mark the 50th anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s success in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, I thought we would be lucky to match the nine entries that started in the first race back in 1968,” admitted McIntyre. “But interest in this retro race has struck a chord with so many sailors around the world.

“Beyond our entry list, there is a further 150 who have expressed interest in competing. Management of the Race has to match everyone’s expectations, it has to be run on a very professional basis and it is simply not possible to create the event and compete. My role has to be to manage this race through to its conclusion – and perhaps wait to take part in the next one in 2022.”

The Race will take around 300 days. For details go to www.goldengloberace.com

Source: Barry Pickthall at PPL Ltd