With only five days remaining before the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race starts on Sunday, 6 September, the Vendée Globe Marina in Les Sables-d’Olonne has entered its most intense phase.
Sixteen skippers are completing their final checks, loading fresh provisions, meeting a growing international media contingent and preparing to say goodbye to family and friends before an anticipated eight months alone at sea.
Sailed without GPS or modern electronic navigation aids, the 30,000-nautical-mile race asks competitors to navigate using sextants, compasses and paper charts as they attempt a solo, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation. Across the three previous Golden Globe Race editions, 43 sailors started—and only nine finished.
The first official 2026 GGR Green Cards have now been issued. A Green Card is the organiser’s final confirmation that a skipper and yacht have completed the required safety, administrative and compliance checks and are cleared to start. Daniel Pinsky of Israel received the first Green Card, followed by Ireland’s Pat Lawless.
“Receiving the first Green Card is a very special moment. It makes everything feel real. After years of dreaming and eight months of intense preparation, I’m now officially cleared to start one of the greatest adventures in sailing. It’s exciting, it’s humbling, and it gives me extra confidence knowing that both the boat and I are ready. Now, I just can’t wait for Sunday.”Daniel Pinsky, Israel
Safety inspections are complete for 13 of the 16 entrants. The remaining three have final equipment matters outstanding. Subject to the arrival and verification of those items, race officials expect to complete the remaining checks within 48 hours.
The main race and safety briefings are also complete, covering medical procedures, security and crisis management.
One final departure briefing remains on Friday, when the skippers will receive the latest operational information for leaving Les Sables-d’Olonne.
Across the pontoon, fresh food and final stores are being carried aboard for a voyage that may keep the sailors alone at sea for around eight months.
Family members and friends are arriving from around the world, bringing energy and celebration to the marina—and the difficult reality of a long separation.
“The final week before a Golden Globe start is unlike anything else. Years of preparation come down to just a handful of days. There’s excitement, but also quiet reflection. Families know they’ll soon lose sight of their loved ones, and the skippers know they’re about to step into a dream they’ve worked years to realise. On Sunday, modern life falls away, and it becomes just the sailor, the wind, the sea and the stars.” Don McIntyre, Golden Globe Race Chairman
The skippers have shared several informal gatherings during the build-up. The official Captains’ Dinner on Thursday evening will bring entrants, race officials, partners and invited guests together for one final celebration before the start.
The official final pre-start press conference begins at 10:30 CEST on Thursday, 3 September at: École des Pêches (CFFM) Allée du Frère Maximin 85100 Les Sables-d’Olonne, France. All 16 remaining entrants are scheduled to attend, joined by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, winner of the original 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, and Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, winner of the 2018 edition. The conference is open to the public and will be streamed live on the official Golden Globe Race Facebook page and Golden Globe Race YouTube channel.
Sir Robin had hoped to sail Suhaili, his historic 1968 winning yacht, to Les Sables-d’Olonne. Persistent headwinds prevented the yacht from reaching the marina in time. After securing Suhaili safely, Sir Robin continued the journey by road and is expected to arrive for the conference. Suhaili will not be present in the marina, but her story and achievement remain at the heart of the week’s celebrations.
Master model-maker Bernard Mauviel has arrived with large radio-controlled models of Suhaili, Joshua and Teignmouth Electron. The three celebrated yachts from the original Golden Globe story are expected to sail within the marina over the coming days, bringing the event’s extraordinary history to life for visitors. The full programme of public activities is available on the GGR 2026 events page.
Following final system tests, GGR Window Live is operational. Scheduled marina broadcasts begin on Thursday, 3 September from 08:00 UTC / 10:00 CEST, rotating across eight participating boats. Followers can watch the final preparations and, once the race begins, receive live one-way video and selected onboard data—while no information can be sent back to the skippers.
The 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race starts from Les Sables-d’Olonne on Sunday, 6 September. The Parade of Sail begins at 14:00 CEST, and the 16 race yachts will depart the Vendée Globe Marina at two-minute intervals from 14:30. Full spectator information—including passenger boat options—is available on the official GGR race-start page. By then, the inspections and public celebrations will fall away, leaving 16 sailors, 16 boats and 30,000 nautical miles around the world—and one question:
