2022 Golden Globe Race at Les Sables d’Olonne

Don McIntyre with the Royal Nukuma Yacht Club pennant. © Christophe Favreau/PPL/GGR

lebrate the history of singlehanded sailing. Both the race organisers and the French hosts confirm the success of the venue for the 2018 GGR which finished this summer – with the veteran Jean-Luc Van Den Heede winning the gruelling single handed race

Race founder Don McIntyre also conformed that the race will once again be run under the auspices of the Royal Nomuka Yacht Club in Tonga.

Don says the support package provided by Les Sables d’Olonne will be significantly larger than in 2018. The Village will be bigger, more entertaining and media plans and coverage for the GGR will be upgraded. Sponsor interest in backing the GGR has also increased, with potential partners now knocking on the door: “As organisers it is exciting to have a concrete plan so early, with solid logistic support and technical partners who know the game so well.” Says Don McIntyre, adding: “The French people have a great sense for adventure– And thanks to events like the Golden Globe and Vendée Globe races, social media is spreading this passion like wildfire, inspiring millions more around the world to follow these sailors.”

Don had originally wanted to run the Golden Globe from a British western port, like Plymouth of Falmouth, but found a signal lack of support for his endeavours. The 2018 edition, celebrating the achievements of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston aboard Suhaili 50 years ago, had a warm-up week in Falmouth. But whether it was a case of Brexit angst or a lack of PR ability from the local council, public awareness and support was lacking compared to the warm-up start and then finish over on the French side. Initial publicity promised by the Sunday Times (sponsors of the original Golden Globe), but withdrawn well before the race started won’t have helped either.

However, perhaps because they are determined to maintain a British element to this race, the GGR people are inviting sailing ports in the UK to become involved by hosting the 2022 Race fleet for a week from August 8 -14 prior to the start of the SITraN Challenge charity race to Les Sables d’Olonne.  “We are hoping a UK port will embrace this opportunity to host the GGR and a small historic fleet of associated yachts and be part of something much bigger,” says McIntyre, adding: “It is a great opportunity to celebrate the history of the original Sunday Times Golden Globe Race back in 1968/9 which saw competitors starting from the Channel ports of Cowes, Hamble, Falmouth, Plymouth and Teignmouth. The event is not only a great destination marketing vehicle but an opportunity to entertain and inspire local communities.”

The 2022 edition will celebrate the achievements of Bernard Moitessier another contestant in 1968 who stymied the sailing world by carrying on for another circumnavigation of the souther latitudes after he had rounded Cape Horn.