SIXTEEN SKIPPERS SET OFF IN THE GOLDEN GLOBE RACE TO ATTEMPT WHAT MANY HAVE FAILED AT: TO RACE SOLO, NON-STOP, AROUND THE WORLD IN A SMALL YACHT. HELEN FRETTER FINDS OUT WHY
“I continue non-stop to the Pacific Islands because I am happy at sea, and perhaps also to save my soul.” So, famously, wrote French solo sailor Bernard Moitessier in February 1969 as he abandoned the finish of the original Golden Globe Race and, instead, set a course east for a second lap of the southern hemisphere.
This September the modern iteration of the Golden Globe Race also sets off for its second lap, with 16 skippers taking part in the 2022 running of the ‘retro’ ocean race. The event was originally created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s triumph as the first man ever to sail solo, non-stop around the world. That 2018 race was truly unique, a curious experiment to see how the yachts, tools and isolation of ocean racing in the 1960s would translate to the 21st century. The results were mixed: just six boats finishing, five without stopping. Now, four years later, the Golden Globe Race is going again. The second crop of skippers are not the first to participate in this psychological and seamanship test, nor will they be the fastest, by any standard. So why are they doing it?
This second re-running loosely pays homage to Moitessier’s achievements. It falls on the 60th anniversary of the launch of his yacht Joshua and changes to the course, passing Trinidade to port and adding compulsory film drops, now follow Moitessier’s route. (Combined with a later start date, it should also help the fleet avoid some of the worst South Atlantic conditions experienced last time).
BEING PREPARED
The answers to the question ‘why?’ are as multifarious as those taking part – and they are a diverse bunch. Fifteen men and one woman, ranging in age from 27 to 68, with nine nationalities. There are business owners, professional skippers, retired naval officers, an artisan carpenter, grandparents, a 27-year-old surfer.
There was no question, however, walking the docks of Les Sables d’Olonne ahead of the start, that the fleet felt markedly more prepared this time around. Though a few boats had power tools out, most were at the stowage stage. Qualification requirements have been made more arduous for the 2022 edition, and each skipper must show evidence of 12,000 miles sailing, 4,000 of them solo, 2,000 in their Golden Globe yacht. The sailors were noticeably readier for what lay ahead. In keeping with its pioneering spirit, the 2018 race had attracted dreamers and adventurers alongside seasoned ocean sailors. Seven had pulled out by Cape Town as the reality of nine months of watch keeping and isolation kicked in, while the Atlantic sore
