June 14, 2015 marked the 46th anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s departure from Falmouth UK back in 1968 to become the first person to sail singlehanded non-stop around the world. Of the 9 starters in that Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, Robin and his 32ft ketch rigged yacht Suhaili were the sole finishers. 6 weeks after announcing a second Golden Globe race to mark the 50th anniversary of that remarkable feat, the race organizers have received 50 serious expressions of interest from sailors in 17 countries – Australia, Austria, Bermuda, Brazil, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, USA and Russia.
“The response has been remarkable” says Don McIntyre, adding. “The concept for a retro race in long-keeled monohulls like Suhaili and sailing round the world with nothing more than the equipment that was available to Robin 5 decades ago, has obviously hit a chord with many people.”
The 2018 Golden Globe Race is very simple. Depart Falmouth, England on 14th June 2018, sail solo, non-stop around the world via the five Great Capes and return to Falmouth. Entrants are restricted to using the same type of yachts and equipment that were available to Sir Robin in that first race. That means sailing without modern technology or benefit of satellite based navigation aids. Competitors must sail in production boats between 32ft and 36ft overall (9.75 – 10.97m) designed prior to 1988 with a traditional full-length keel with rudder attached to their trailing edge, similar in concept to Knox-Johnston’s Suhaili.
