In 1968, nine skippers set sail on the first solo, non-stop race around the world. After 313 days, only one sailor succeeded in completing the feat of circumnavigating the globe: Robin Knox-Johnston, who, at the age of 29, became the first man to accomplish what many considered impossible.
Another skipper became legendary during this first edition: Bernard Moitessier. After rounding Cape Horn, while leading the race on his boat “Joshua”, he decided not to cross the finish line and continued on toward the Indian Ocean “to save his soul”. He sailed around the world one-and-a-half times without stopping to reach the tranquility of the islands and wrote “The Long Way”, the book that continues to inspire so many adventurers.
In 1989, a new solo, non-stop round-the-world race was organised: the Vendée Globe. In 2018, 50 years after the first edition, Don McIntyre decided to revive the Golden Globe Race, and naturally turned to the town of Vendée Globe. The project seemed crazy: a solo, non-stop round-the-world race, under the same conditions as in 1968. No technology onboard, navigation by sextant, on boats similar to Suhaili, Sir Robin’s 32-foot vessel. Mayor Yannick Moreau saw it as the ancestor of the Vendée Globe, a complementary event to the Everest of the seas, and decided to host the race.
Eighteen sailors of 13 nationalities set sail with one goal: to beat Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s record of 312 days and thus make history. Only five participants will finish the race. Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, one of the world’s greatest sailors, holds the record. At the age of 73, it was Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, skipper from Les Sables d’Olonne, who achieved the feat and won the 2018 Golden Globe Race. With six circumnavigations of the globe under his belt, this “wolf of the seas” set a record, which he still holds, by completing the GGR in 211 days.
In 2022, 16 adventurers set sail from Les Sables d’Olonne for the third edition of the GGR. Tens of thousands of spectators gathered on the channel to cheer them on. The race was followed around the world, and after 235 days at sea, Kirsten Neuschäfer crossed the finish line in first place. A new legend is born: she becomes the first woman to win a solo round-the-world sailing race. Only three participants will finish the race. Kirsten has been recognised around the world for her performance in the GGR.
- Rod Stephens Seamanship Trophy (Cruising Club of America) 2022: for her role in rescuing sailor Tapio Lehtinen, whose boat sank during the Golden Globe Race.
- Blue Water Medal (Cruising Club of America) 2023: in recognition of her perseverance, skill, and 235 days of sailing during the Golden Globe Race.
- Rolex World Sailor of the Year (female) World Sailing Awards 2023: for her achievement in the Golden Globe Race, including the rescue, and for demonstrating exceptional performance.
- Seamaster Award (boot Düsseldorf) 2024 award for her “historic performance” – her victory in the Golden Globe.
- Cape Horn Award (Trans-Ocean, Bobby Schenk Prize) 2023: for her achievement in the Golden Globe Race, including rounding the capes and her rescue.
- The Duchess of Kent Trophy (Cruising Association) presented in January 2025: in recognition of her historic victory in the Golden Globe and the rescue of Tapio Lehtinen.
- SA Sports Awards Sportswoman of the Year (South Africa) 2024: Kirsten is named “Sportswoman of the Year” in the SA Sports Awards.
The route, starting and finishing in Les Sables-d’Olonne, covers more than 30,000 nautical miles and requires competitors to round the three legendary capes of navigation: the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn. Competitors spend long months at sea, between 200 and 300 days without interruption, in extreme conditions, making this adventure a true test of endurance, resilience, and solitude.
THE RULES
Qualification
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To take part, it’s a race for miles: each participant must demonstrate experience, with a minimum of 8,000 miles sailed offshore, 2,000 miles sailed solo on any boat, and 4,000 miles sailed solo aboard their own GGR sailboat, under race conditions, without technology.
During the Race
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The 2022 Golden Globe Race requires all competitors to use equipment that is identical, or as close as possible, to that found on board the Suhaili, the boat sailed by Robin Knox-Johnston, winner of the 1968/69 edition. Skippers will have to navigate using a sextant and nautical charts. No satellite navigation aids, electronic instruments or autopilots are permitted.
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Only 22 models of production yacht are permitted to participate in the race. They must have been designed before 1988 (at least 20 copies produced from the same mould), measure between 32 and 36 feet, be constructed of reinforced polyester, have a long keel with a rudder attached to the trailing edge, and have a minimum displacement of 6,200 kg.
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Skippers will be responsible for determining their own weather forecasts and keeping their logbooks, written by hand.
