The Golden Globe Race is a challenge like no other.
Competitors taking part will find themselves alone for close to 300 days at sea, with no outside assistance. They’ll race through some of the world’s most hostile environments with the same technology as the skippers taking part in the inaugural 1968 edition of the race.
It was legendary sailor and adventurer Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who was first to complete that debut race, becoming the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world. Since then more people have climbed to the summit of Mount Everest than have completed a circumnavigation of the globe under sail, with over three times as many people have visited Space.
The 2022 Golden Globe Race will mark the 54th anniversary of the original race and will see an expected 35 sailors compete across the 30,000-mile route. That route’s starting point will be the famous nautical city of Les Sables d’Olonne in France, with the fleet departing on Sunday 4 September 2022.
In March 1968, the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race was announced – the first-ever attempt to sail solo non-stop around the world. There were virtually no rules or qualification requirements because most of those who became entrants were already well on the way with their planning to attempt this challenge.
By offering a trophy for the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world via the five Great Capes and another £5,000 for the fastest time, The Times created an instant race and a great story to increase circulation. Nine colourful characters with varying sailing skills headed off at various times in a strange collection of yachts.
Finally, there was only one finisher – Robin Knox-Johnston and his 32-foot traditional ketch-rigged yacht Suhaili, who at the start was considered the most unlikely boat and given no chance of winning. By completing the race, Robin became the first man to circumnavigate the globe non-stop and single-handed, ensuring both his place in history and creating the sailing legend that is the Golden Globe Race.
