
- 22 paid up entrants to-date – 17 with boats!
- First female entrant from South Africa
- First Joshua Class yacht to be launched next year
- 2022 Notice of Race published
OFFICIAL: 2018 GGR gained US$185m media exposure across TV, Radio, Print and Social Media
An independent analysis report compiled by Meltwater on media coverage secured during the 2018 Golden Globe Race shows that the Race gained US$185m worth of coverage world-wide.
Click here to download Meltwater Media Analysis Report.
Les Sables d’Olonne, which will be the host start and finish port again in 2022, gained 2 years of international publicity valued at 16.5m Euros (US$18.08m), and Falmouth, which hosted the pre-Race Suhaili 50 Parade of Sail, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s departure in the original 1986 Sunday Times Golden Globe, and the start of the SITraN Challenge race to Les Sables d’Olonne, gained £1.85m (US$2.38m) from the 3-days of events.
Don McIntyre, the GGR founder said today:
What a fantastic solid result for a unique original adventure created by a small passionate management team with low budgets. It confirms the support and huge following the 2018 GGR achieved from ordinary people interested in a simple, back to basics human endeavour. No fluff; just an honest, down-to-earth non-stop solo race around the world that media understand. We must also thank the passion of our French fans and our enthusiastic Host Port and logistics partner Les Sables d’Olonne, Ville and Agglomeration. The GGR family continues to grow, ensuring the 2022 edition will be an even bigger success.
Yannick Moreau, Mayor of Les Sables d’Olonne and President of the Agglomeration said today:
For a first edition, the GGR has been an international success. I am looking forward to the 2nd edition from Les Sables d’Olonne on September 4, 2022!
GGR 2022 Suhail class entry list – Just six places left!
Three years to the start of the 2022 Golden Globe Race from Les Sables d’Olonne, France, and already this second retro solo non-stop round the world race has 22 paid up Suhaili Class entrants representing nine countries. There is one ordinary and five remaining special invitations available in Suhaili Class before a wait list is started.
The first Joshua Class II one-design yacht is scheduled to launch in 2020. Seven places are available.
Britain has seven: 58-year old Ertan Beskardes from Bournemouth, Guy Waites (52) currently skippering the yacht Dare to Lead in the Clipper Round the World Race, Ian Herbert-Jones (49) another Clipper Race veteran; John Clarke (47) from Liverpool; 67-year old Robin Davie from Falmouth, and Simon Curwen (67) from Emsworth. The 7th entrant remains anonymous at this stage.
Australia has 5 entrants: 49-year old Matthew Wright and Michael Davey (58) both from Adelaide, South Australia, Michael Date (57) from Currumbin Waters, Queensland; and Mike Smith (60) building a Suhaili replica in Newcastle, NSW. The 5th entrant wishes to remain anonymous for the moment.
South Africa has 2 entrants: Jeremy Bagshaw (56) from Simon’s Town; and Kirsten Neuschäfer (37) the first women entrant, from Port Elizabeth.
The USA has 2 entrants: 52-year old Doug Dean from Sandhills, Nebraska, and professional sailor Guy deBoer (63).
Austria: Michael Guggenberger (42).
Canada: Indian born Gaurav Shinde (32) from London, Ontario.
France: 48-year old Arnaud Gaist takes on the mantle from Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, French winner of the 2018 GGR.
Italy: 51-year old Guido Cantini.
Ireland: 63-year old Pat Lawless from Ballyferriter. Co Kerry.
New Zealand: This entrant remains anonymous at this stage.
17 of these skippers are busy preparing their boats already, and others are moving fast to secure theirs.
Matthew Wright from South Australia is in Europe right now looking for a boat and American Guy DeBoer is in France about to close a deal. Canadian/Indian skipper Gurave Shinde has just secured a Baba 36 for his challenge and Australian Michael Davey has bought a Cape Dory 36 in America, scrapped the rig and deck gear and put the boat on a ship to New Zealand for the refit.
Australian Michael Date is halfway through a complete rebuild refit of his Aries 32 and fellow Aussie Mike Smith is well on the way to completing his Suhaili replica. Another Australian, 2018 GGR retiree Mark Sinclair (Capt. Coconut) has just set up a new Facebook page titled Coconut 2022, so he may be making an announcement very soon!
Boat statistics to date. Rustler 36 (4), Trade Wind 35 (2), and one each of the following, Vancouver 34, Saga 36, Biscay 36,Cape Dory 36, Aries 32, Baba 35, Endurance 35, Nicholson 32, Lello 34, Suhaili Replica and Barbican 33MKII.
Click here for skipper and boat details.
2022 Notice of Race published
Changes to the 2022 Notice of Race reflect lessons gained from the 2018 race while maintaining the spirit of the GGR. On the all important issue of heavy weather and equipment there were no changes.
Don McIntyre explains:
In relation to storm tactics and equipment to use like Drogues, no individual or expert exists with a sure solution, or the ultimate answer. Every boat, storm, wave pattern and situation is different, so we will NOT regulate what entrants must do, or should have. Like all good sailors, we keep discussing it, learning and researching, then make our own decisions and face our own destiny. Their life is in their hands. If there is one thing all entrants are very aware of and serious about, it is how they plan to survive the Southern Ocean. They do not need us to tell them and we don’t have a guarantee to give.
Click here to download the 2022 GGR Notice of Race.
A summary of the changes from the 2018 NOR are listed below:
- Suhaili Class entries are limited to 28: 23 applicants and 5 special invitations.
- Under 21 entrants receive a full entry fee refunded after passing Canary Islands.
- Trindade Island in the South Atlantic is now a mark of the course.
- A Cape Town Film drop has been added to the course.
- Southern latitude limits return to 44° and 47°S in Indian and Pacific oceans respectively.
- Time limit to pass Tasmania gate is 31st January 2023 or stop until 1st Dec. 2023.
- Only World Meteo Organization (WMO) High Seas forecast allowed.
- Routing banned once leaving the Dock in Les Sables d’Olonne.
- 24hr time penalty for first breach of sat phone use.
- UK Prologue arrival 8th August to marina village. Start SITraN Challenge Race to Les Sables d’Olonne set for 14th August.
- NON-GPS digital Cameras and drones allowed.
- 8 litres emergency water to be carried. 24hr penalty if seal is broken, Sealed hand desalinator required. 72-hour penalty if seal is broken.
- Penalties may be financial or time, or both at discretion of Jury and organiser.
- Entrants must complete an extra 2000 mile nonstop, tracked, solo qualifier in GGR yacht, using wind vane and sextant.
- Two interviews a week direct to any media on sat phone 20-minute max.
- Maximum sails: Sloop – 10. Ketch -12.
- Cabin: Minimum of two windows (each side). Minimum total area 1200sq cm.
- LED approved nav lights compulsory.
- Emergency steering trial must be made in open ocean with at least 15knots wind.
- Fuel limit is full standard design tanks.
- No extra kerosene or diesel allowed for heating.
- Extra 50-watt mobile solar panel carried onboard.
- 100% waterproof HF SSB radio installation required. This will be tested by throwing a bucket of water over it.
- Full installation HF radio approval and performance test.
- Any breech of ITU Radio regulations will be penalised and Ham radio transmissions are banned.
- Waterproof VHF radio installation required.
- Spare charger cables for all radios, sat phones and YB3 trackers.
- Approved AIS Transponder compulsory.
- Bunk belts required for all bunks to retain sailor in event of a roll over.
- Wind vanes need Race approval as fit for purpose in Southern Ocean.
- All cockpit dodgers must be made from Hi-Vis materiel
- Permanent secure storage on deck for both spinnaker poles.
- Emergency KITE systems ‘may’ be approved for jury rig.
- Coloured sponsor logos now allowed on hull.
- Sponsor signage on hull and transom increased 250%
- Marina Entrant Sponsor Communication mainsail increased 25%.
- Entrant ‘approved’ charity 1.65m x .55mt Lee cloth allowed forward of the mast anytime.
- Country of entry ensign must fly on staff from transom at starts finish.
- Entrant national Flag design 40cm high on both sides of mainsail.
- Vinyl Wrapping of Hull/Deck is banned.
- Entrant Pre-Safety inspection up to 5 defects allowed only.
- Up to 14 minutes of digital vision released at each film drop.
- Double requirements of Entrant video and photo media delivery to GGR required.
- Compulsory minimum video delivery requirements at film drops.
- Zero tolerance of fines once proven.
- Monthly 30-minute live Facebook Q&A session with each entrant supporters.
- SOLAS Non-Inflatable Life jacket no longer required.
- $150 Euro fee for JURY rule clarification requested during the race.
- Rigging sizes are now free spar sizes no restriction except lengths.
- Minimum three spare log impellers required.
- HF SSB radio weather fax approval.


