GGR 2026: What to see and do in Les Sables d’Olonne

An exciting program of events for the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race – See you soon!

• GGR SitraN Challenge Prologue starts on 16 August and returns to the Vendée Globe Marina late on 19 August.
• Visit the boats and meet the skippers at the GGR Vendée Globe Marina pontoon, open to all yachts from 22 August.
• Official Public Welcome to the GGR entrants in Les Sables d’Olonne on 22 August at 14:30.
• Visit the GGR Pavilion for race information and Golden Globe Race history. Open daily from Saturday 22 August.
• Watch the official GGR Safety Inspections at the marina on 26 & 27 August throughout the day.
• Learn how to use a sextant with daily celestial noon sight demonstrations at approximately 13:30.
• GGR entrant poster signing sessions take place daily from 14:00–15:00.
• Meet GGR founder Don McIntyre and ask any questions you like, daily following the poster signing session.
• Meet GGR Patron Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, winner of the original 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race.
• Meet Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, winner of the 2018 McIntyre Golden Globe Race.
• Official public group boat tours with a French-speaking guide take place daily from 29 August to 3 September.
• Visit the legendary yacht Joshua from 29 August at the Vendée Globe Marina alongside the GGR fleet.
• Meridian Association “Art of Navigation” display open daily from 29 August.
• Meet the skippers at the daily Q&A session at 16:00 in the GGR Pavilion.
• Sail amazing radio-controlled models of Suhaili, Joshua and Teignmouth Electron.
• Olonnois GGR26 Regatta on 30 August viewed from the LSO breakwater from 15:30.
• Cape Horners Hall of Fame 2026 recipients announcement 16:00 on Friday 4 September.
• Official public farewell to the GGR entrants in Les Sables d’Olonne on 5 September at 14:00.
• “Christening” ceremony of Damien Guillou’s GGR boat “Solarem” with Violette Dorange on 5 September at 14:30.
• OFFICIAL RACE START — The 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race Parade of Sail begins at 14:00 on 6 September down the Les Sables d’Olonne channel. The GGR yachts will leave the Vendée Globe Marina at 2-minute intervals from 14:30 local time.