A few #GGR2022 entrants are doing their own thing now that the OSTAR is cancelled due to COVID so have entered the NOSTAR...will be fun to watch and great training for the GGR!.......Good Luck!So yesterday evening I finally left Punta Ala, my home port, destination Plymouth-UK. I intended participating in the OSTAR to use it as a good training base for the GGR2022. Unfortunately it was recently decided to postpone it for another year. So four of the participants, including myself and Ertan Beskardes (another GGR2022 entrant), decided we would go for it anyway. The appointment is on the 9th of May at 12.00 noon at Plymouth breakwater for the start of our own little transatlantic race from Plymouth to Newport-RI in the US. This is the plan but I first have to get there ! 2200 nautical miles separate me from the NOSTAR (this is how we called it). It will be a pretty tough challenge in itself, given the time of year. Wish me fair winds ! 😀 ... See MoreSee Less
This has been an epic challenge for Guy but he is finally on the last leg AZORES to UK and home. #GGR2022A História do Sagarmatha e Guy Waites Sailing
Partiram do Panamá a 21 de Novembro de 2020, saindo do Mar das Caraíbas para o Oceano Atlântico. Navegaram em direção a sul, evitando as depressões mais a norte. Foi um progresso lento.
A menos de cem milhas das Ilhas Açorianas, viram-se a braços com tempestade. Foi durante o segundo dia de tempestade que o Sagarmatha foi alvo de uma onda e o mastro principal bateu no mar ficando gravemente danificado. A turbina eólica perdeu 3 das suas 5 lâminas. Navegaram duas semanas a norte dos Açores, de forma lenta, pois não era possível içar a Vela principal. A 20 de Janeiro de 2021, o Sagarmatha entrava em Porto Seguro na Povoação por indicação da Autoridade Marítima Nacional. Após os formalismos legais de entrada em território Português, Guy Waits, descansou alguns dias e iniciou a procura de soluções para arranjar o Mastro principal do Sagarmatha para poder regressar a casa. Foram longos dias de espera, mas finalmente a fibra de Carbono para reparar o mastro chegara e o Guy Waits iniciou de imediato a reparação. Foi necessário retirar o mastro do barco, uma operação que nunca tinha acontecido aqui, com várias ajudas foi possível retirar o mastro do barco, colocá-lo em cima do Porto, repará-lo e voltar a colocar o mastro no barco. Guy Waits era presença assidua na sede do Clube Naval, inclusive foi ajudando, na reparação de alguns optimist que estávamos a fazer no clube. Hoje o Sagarmatha rumou a casa. Desejamos os melhores ventos para rumares a casa Guy Waits e que um dia possamos voltar a ver-te por aqui.
The finish line is in sight for the #GGR2022 Virtual fleet oLes Sables d'Olonnee have had Blue sky days here in Les Sables d'Olonne for the past 10 days. Quite amazing... :) ...Thanks Mike! and welcome home to the fleet. ... See MoreSee Less
Being an ex Hydrographer.. Capt'n Coconut does like his charts!! The Yacht Club Punta del Este may be too good to sail past! :) #GGR2022Punta Del Este here we come. This additional film drop will create a new dynamic for the 2022 GGR. Covered by the large scale chart BA 3703 - Bahia De Maldonado and Isla De Lobos, Uruguay. Coconut is planning a reconnaissance on the voyage from Adelaide to Les Sables d'Olonne for a dry run. ETD Adelaide 5 December 2021, ETA LSd'O ??? The adventure continues ... ... See MoreSee Less
If you would like to see a really well found #GGR2022 yacht...check this out...very impressive so good luck MIKE!!...but try not to head plant the fire extinguisher.. :) ...looking very organised indeed!
Michael Date Sailing GGR 2022 Well; I haven't posted for a while but been busy just the same. If you get time have a look at the video my daughter put together ! ... See MoreSee Less
The information as a whole from the start makes a very valuable and interesting file for future GGR entrants....nearly home.. woop woop!! and right now -1 c was forecast so you could expect a chilli reception but a very warm Les Sables d'Olonne crown on the wall to welcome you in .... #GGR2022... See MoreSee Less
Brightest Easter Coconut on the planet...enjoy the holidays if you celebrate that :) ...#GGR2022a few early morning starts to avoid the heat to refresh the non-skid on Coconut's deck and cabin top; the original was worn off during the 157 days at sea from Les Sable d'Olonne to Adelaide during the Golden Globe Race in 2018 ... See MoreSee Less
Arnaud Gaist one of three FRENCH #GGR2022 entrants has been lucky to receive the support of students aLes Sables d'Olonnearly Maritime training school in Les Sables d'Olonne during the refit of his yacht and just completed this short video of some work, but not all currently completed. :) Dans 500 jours je serai au départ de la Golden Globe Race. A l'automne, je n'avais pas beaucoup de moyens pour préparer mon voilier. mais en découvrant le ca... ... See MoreSee Less
GGR 2022 Les Sables d'Olonne press conference promo videoGGR 2022 Les Sables d'Olonne press conference promo video on 22nd March 2021 ... See MoreSee Less
#GGR2022 Refits can be a bit "More of the same" but Kirsten has really stumbled on a couple guys and a community a bit by chance and circumstance with exceptional results....it makes for interesting reading if you like her blogs :) ....These guys really are doing everything in one shop ( with Kirsten's experienced eye) and something tells me it is not only fast, efficient but probably very good value too. .... :)
Kirsten Neuschäfer As promised, here is the latest refit post: after what feels like weeks and weeks of fairing and sanding, priming, touching up on fairing and then sanding again, we now have Minnehaha's deck, coach roof and cockpit as good as perfect, and have applied the first layer of white Awlgrip primer. As anyone who has done painting will know, the prepping, which consists of sanding and subsequent cleaning away of dust and masking the things that are not to be painted, is the biggest task of all - and a clean surface the key to a successful paint job. We started by rolling the paint on with sponge rollers, but Eddie, being the perfectionist that he is, was not happy with the result, so the very same evening he decided that he would spray the paint on instead. With almost all the deck fittings removed, it only entailed a little extra masking and taping. The result is an exceptionally, smooth, professional finish - and this is still only primer - wait till we have the topcoat on! As with everything he does, Eddie did the spray-painting immaculately! Another great job, Eddie! And Minnehaha is starting to look really cheerful, and yet another step closer to getting re-launched! #boatrefit #painting #spraypainting #deckpainting #GGR2022 #boatadventures #princeedwardisland ... See MoreSee Less
An emotive Video just released. The Vendee Globe, Golden Globe and 6.50 Mini Transat all depart from Les Sables d'Olonne currently the center of the world for Solo sailing...BRAVO and thanks for being such great Partners to #GGR2022 and friends and such a great place to live and work!! ..
Port de départ des plus grandes aventures, ville du grand large, Les Sables d’Olonne est le théâtre des plus belles compétitions nautiques.
Une édition incroyable du Vendée Globe s'achève à peine, et déjà les pontons de Port Olona vibrent au rythme de la Solo Maitre Coq, tandis qu'en coulisse de grandes courses sont en préparation : ☑ La Mini Transat en septembre prochain, qui pose ses valises aux Sables d’Olonne pour 3 éditions. ☑ La Golden Globe Race, dont la renaissance a eu lieu aux Sables il y a 4 ans, et qui s’élancera pour une nouvelle édition en septembre 2022.
****** 𝐋𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐝’𝐎𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠. The greatest sea adventures start at Les Sables d’Olonne harbour. This wonderful city is the hub of the most beautiful nautical competitions ever existed.
While an incredible edition of the Vendée Globe has just come to an end, the « Port Olona » pontoons are already echoing under the rythm of the « Solo Maitre Coq » sailing race. Our town is now getting ready to bring you the next unmissable events in single-handed ocean racing : ☑ with the « Mini Transat », which will be held in Les Sables d’Olonne for the next three editions, the first of which will take place in September 2021. ☑ the « Golden Globe Race » once again after 4 years will commence in September 2022.
GGR Press Conference Les Sables d’Olonne March 22nd Speech DON MCINTYRE GGR Founder. Approx. 6.5minutes.
The 1968 Golden Globe was the first ever around the world yacht race. Since then, legends like the only finisher and winner Sir Robin Knox Johnston, and Bernard Moitessier have inspired many sailors and created new Around the world races. I was there in Sydney with Philippe Jeantot when he conceived the first 1998 Vendee Globe. The Golden Globe was part of his idea. In 2018, together with our partner Les Sables d’Olonne, we brought the Golden Globe back to life 50 years later. This incredible Adventure continues with a third edition starting from Les Sables d’Olonne on Sept 4th 2022. Again, Les Sables d’Olonne stands with us as a passionate partner building a bigger and even more exciting event. The 2018 GGR was a repeat journey into the unknow. The world had changed, but the world had never seen anything like it. 18 sailors set sail not knowing what to expect. We all held our breath and an international GGR Family followed day by day with genuine enthusiasm. Yachts were lost, stories were told and sailors everywhere were inspired. Some of the best sailors on the planet had lined up at the start in Les Sables d’Olonne. So too did the dreamers, just as they did in 1968. Unlike the first edition, our Notice of Race was considered by French Maritime Authorities as the best for any yacht race ever to sail from this country and the Security Arrangements appropriate for the challenge. 10 months after the start, Tapio Lehtinen the last of only five sailors to complete the journey, crossed the finish line creating history once again. Jean Luc Van Den Heede, one of the great sailors of our time, won the 2nd Golden Globe. He was 73yo. and has been a beautiful dreamer his entire life! Like all entrants, his voyage was filled with drama and courage in the face of real adversity. It was tough! Very tough. He was at sea for 212 days totally alone, the equivalent of three Vendee Globes. His final VDH journal has and continues to inspires a new generation of sailors, as did his previous five solo circumnavigations of the Globe. The GGR is unique and has established once again the core principles of that first in 1968 edition. Open to sailors young and old it is affordable in 32-36ft strong, recycled, seaworthy yet simple yachts. There is No technology, No satellite comms or GPS, No autopilots and only cassette tapes for music. The GGR is the ONLY solo race around the world with Absolutely NO Outside assistance of any kind. The GGR is NOT a flying 10-week sprint around the Globe. It is a gruelling demanding and daring marathon. You could fly to Mars quicker than completing the GGR! Entrants spend more time in the Southern Ocean than most current races take to circumnavigate. There are no SKYPE calls home to family for psychological support, or engineers for advice. The GGR is total isolation on a grand scale. It steps back to a simpler time, where the sailor relies entirely on themselves for their own destiny. This challenge is not for everyone. It’s serious. Only the best will finish. Question? IS it the toughest Solo Non-stop race around the world? Who cares? We know it is seriously tough with no comparisons, Yet it is a beautiful and simple Challenge. It takes a special sailor to even consider it possible. Those that finish in 2023 will again make history! Today 28 entrants from 11 Countries have signed for the next edition. The British want the Golden Globe back! They are sending 8 sailors to recover it. Australia sends 6 entrants. We are excited to welcome # Damien Guillou and PRB to the GGR in the last few days, leading the three French entrants who will attempt to retain the Golden Globe trophy. New Zealand sends # Graham Dalton brother of Americas Cup winner # Grant Dalton, who is sailing JL VDH 2018 R36 Matmut., # Tapio Lethinen from 2018 GGR sailing “Asteria” covered with Barnacles returns with a plan to win. # Captain Coconut, Mark Sinclair also from 2018 returns with unfinished business. Our only woman entrant # Kirsten Neuschafr from South Africa is a sailor with the experience to win and a yacht that could actually do it! Our youngest is 26 yo. American # Elliott Smith and Oldest at 79, the indomitable multiple solo circumnavigator # David Scott Cowper from the UK. Only Four SUHAILI Class entries are still available to sailors hoping to join the 2022 GGR. As organisers we learnt a lot from the last edition of the GGR. There have been changes and one of the biggest is a new start date Two months later than 2018 placeing the fleet more favourably in the Southern Ocean. Safety and security standards remain high and sailing qualifications have been increased. A new 2-hour time penalty for every litre of fuel consumed during the race will be added to finishing times. This encourages all entrants to focus on Solar, Wind and Water power generation. Our world first WASTE MANAGEMENT plan for all entrants in the 2018 GGR will remain. For the first time Expanded MEDIA ACCESS to GGR skippers With Entrants receiving two direct satellite phone interviews from any media outlet, every week while racing. The possibility of sending satellite photos from entrants to Race Control is being investigated. A third Video film drop for live interviews is also scheduled for Cape Town, South Africa before sailors’ head into the Southern Ocean and a fourth may be established after rounding Cape Horn. A comprehensive Media Production and Global TV distribution plan will send the GGR story to millions of families around the world. On July the 1st 2018, crowds that gathered on the famous Les Sables river cheering our GGR sailors witnessed something special. But they could never have imagined what lay ahead. The Golden Globe is personal, maybe even romantic and centred on the sailor. Nothing else matters. It is seriously a human story, not the boat, not technology and not the money that creates the winner and it’s all about the stories. On Sept 4th next year once again, these special sailors will set out on an adventure unique to this planet. They are all volunteers in what is recognised as the longest, loneliest, slowest race and most daring challenge for any individual in any sport. Finally, I want to thank once again the people of Les Sables d’Olonne who have so completely embraced what the Golden Globe stands for and also welcoming Jane and I as locals now. It is such a great place to live and work…and we are still working on our French lessons!! #ENDS# ... See MoreSee Less
Very Happy to have Plastimo onboard again for #GGR2022 with important safety gear, particularly a custom 4 man raft to special GGR specifications...Awesome 👏 : one more French entrant in Golden Globe Race ! Welcome Damien Guillou former Classe Figaro Bénéteau racer and recently #Imoca expert as boat captain for Kevin Escoffier - PRB + support from outstanding partner PRB... you tick all the boxes ! ✅ #Plastimo #safety partner to #GGR2022 look forward to welcoming you in our #Lorient factory to check on your #safety equipment, just as Jean Luc Vandenheede did prior to winning #GGR2018. #seeyousoon Damien ! ... See MoreSee Less
ENGLISH SUBTITLES to the PRB-Damien Guillou #GGR2022 Entry video clip :)
After Philippe Péché in 2018, the Vendée company PRB has decided to take part in the second Golden Globe Race with Breton Damien Guillou. Vedio by PRB ... See MoreSee Less
WE are excited to welcome Damien Guillou and PRB to the #GGR2022 .. We will upload an English Subtitle Video shortly..
DAMIEN GUILLOU AND PRB ENTER THE GOLDEN GLOBE RACE 2022 MARCH 18, 2021 Damien Guillou is preparing to take up an extraordinary challenge under the colors of PRB. At 38, the Breton will live alone at sea for more than 200 days for a round the world nonstop, without assistance and without modern means of communication, the Golden Globe Race. Faced with competitors who, like him, take up this crazy bet, Damien will make his way with the sextant! The sailor, trained in Olympic sailing (optimist, laser, 49er) and Figaro knows everything about modern monohulls. He could even draw eyes closed for the 60 'PRB with which Kevin Escoffier entered the last Vendée Globe. It was he who, as PRB's boat captain, took care of this carbon boat until the last minutes before kick-off. But today he has chosen to set off on a boat of only 11 meters and deprived of any electronic tool ... Minimalist comfort, paper maps and sextant will be his companions for this competition which defies all the codes of modern navigation (no computers, no satellite navigation aid, no automatic pilot, etc.). Damien creates the surprise because he is not necessarily the one we imagined embarking on such an epic. But it is as a true lover of the sea and passionate about competition, that he will cover these 30,000 miles through the three capes. Particularly proud to lead this adventure with PRB, Damien continues the history of the Vendée company with tours of the world.
It was during the Vendée Globe village, last October, that the project began to germinate. Then a member of the IMOCA PRB technical team, Damien Guillou talks with Jean-Jacques Laurent, President of the Vendée SME on the mythical pontoon of Sables d'Olonne. The latter lets Damien know that he wants to realign a PRB boat on the Golden Globe Race and that he is looking for a skipper. Concentrated on the preparation of the 60 feet, the Breton hears but does not project himself immediately. “When Jean-Jacques Laurent told me that, we were in the home stretch to prepare for IMOCA so I didn't really react, even though this proposal obviously appealed to me. Following this discussion, I took the time to find out about the dates of the race and the idea gradually gained momentum. I was at this stage still in personal reflection. Afterwards I took the step to talk about it to my wife and I also discussed it with Paul Meilhat and Anthony Marchand, two childhood friends who know me well. It was only after having had their points of view that I returned to Jean-Jacques Laurent to inform him that I really wanted to embark on this project, he then replied Go! "
“I find myself fully in this ordeal! " This is a challenge completely new Damien Guillou will tackle next year with passion and desire. “All the criteria are met for this Golden Globe Race! The racing aspect, my love of boats and the sea, my taste for technical preparation and adventure! Even if it may seem surprising, I find myself fully in this ordeal! I had carefully followed the 2018 edition, telling myself that it was both interesting and daring, but without imagining that I would one day take the start of this race. And doing it under the PRB colors really means something to me, I'm very proud of it! The story continues in a different way in a way and I'm very happy to have Kevin's support in this project too. His seamanship and his advice are very precious! " Supported in his approach by Kevin Escoffier, Damien benefits from all the energy of the “PRB family”. Vincent Riou, former winner of the Vendée Globe under the PRB colors in 2004, will welcome Damien's boat in its structure to prepare it. The Rustler 36 bought last month in Italy will reach Port-La-Forêt at the end of April.
A total refit project The monohull which perfectly meets the strict criteria of the Golden Globe Race was built on plans drawn before 1988 (1980). The sailboat will be under construction for about two months as indicated by Damien: “We are still awaiting the Italian authorizations for the exceptional transport which will be done by road. The health context complicates things a bit, but this should unblock soon. As soon as we have received the boat, it will go into the yard for a total refit. For the moment, it is in cruise configuration. The objective will be to put it in race mode and that requires significant changes. We are planning a relaunch at the end of June so that I will sail all summer to take it in hand and start qualifying for 2000 miles at the beginning of September. "
First step: learning to use a sextant While waiting, Damien Guillou has started learning the sextant… An essential first step for this Golden Globe Race. “I went for two days for training in Toulouse with a person passionate about sextant who has made it his job. This allowed me to acquire the basics and since then I have been doing arithmetic exercises almost every day. When it's sunny, I also go to the edge of the coast to do some surveys. The sextant can be frightening at first, but it's not overwhelming! In no time, I managed to get by! I can't wait to put it all into practice on the boat this summer! » Says Damien already fully launched in his project. For Jean-Jacques Laurent, it is the continuity of a beautiful meeting. “I really wanted to return to this race. We took part in the first edition with Philippe Péché. And we discovered a universe totally different from the Vendée Globe. In the Vendée Globe, we are in a technological dimension and things have to go quickly. It is exciting. We have seen the enthusiasm generated by the edition which has just ended. On the Golden Globe Race, we maintain a relationship with the long term! It's a whole different challenge, but it's just as fascinating. It's fantastic that Damien wears our colors. He was already in the PRB family. He's a great sailor. He is very enthusiastic and has a very serious approach. I think it is very respectful to be part of the history of PRB with the tours of the world. He has our full confidence and also Kevin's support, which is obviously important to us. It's a very good story that begins in view of this extremely difficult race. "
PRB 💥 Damien Guillou et PRB s'engagent sur la Golden Globe Race 2022
C’est un défi hors norme que s’apprête à relever Damien Guillou sous les couleurs de PRB. À 38 ans, le Breton va vivre seul en mer pendant plus de 200 jours pour un tour du monde sans escale, sans assistance et sans moyen moderne de communication, la Golden Globe Race dont le départ sera donné le 4 septembre 2022 !
Stand by for Exciting GGR News tomorrow and a Joint Les Sables d'Olonne77805628896648">#GGR2022 and Les Sables d'Olonne PRESS CONFERENCE on Monday 22nd March. Nothing to do with Susie Goodall, but this was such an exciting video clip about her to feel the human side of the 2018 Golden Globe that evolved into an epic for her. I wanted to share it as another HUMAN Story. It plays out again in 18 months, so watch this space :) A beautiful video showing Susie Goodall and Sir Robin Knox Johnston talking about her Golden Globe 2018 project (including french subtitles). Produced for DHL ... See MoreSee Less