The Skipper

Ertan Beskardes is a Turkish-born British sailor who began sailing on the Bosphorus at the age of twelve.

He moved to the UK in 1979 and built a career in military tailoring and regalia, before establishing his own company with his wife in Bournemouth in 1994. There, they built a boat in the back garden and have sailed regularly in nearby Christchurch Harbour since 1998. As their children grew up, Ertan progressed from a Drascombe Cruiser Longboat to a Parker 235, before purchasing a Jeanneau Odyssey 33 in 2012, sailing year-round.

Ertan is the first sailor to enter the Golden Globe Race three times. He joined the 2018 edition as one of the final entrants, buying a Rustler 36, Lazy Otter, just months before the start and undertaking an intensive rebuild. With strong support from his close-knit family, he made it to the start line under considerable pressure. His warm and generous nature quickly became part of the GGR story – his breakfast omelettes on the marina becoming something of a tradition.

However, just five days into the race, he made the difficult decision to retire. The boat was ready, but he felt he was not.

He returned for the 2022 GGR, reaching the Cape Town gate before retiring on 16 November. Reflecting on the experience, he described the previous ten weeks as incredible, but felt the prospect of another three months alone to Cape Horn was not something he would enjoy, citing the effects of extreme isolation. “I was looking for the unknown, and I found it,” he said.

In March 2026, Ertan completed a full solo circumnavigation in the 13-month Mini Globe Race aboard Trekka.

After the Mini Globe Race, it is the perfect time to finally get the Golden Globe Race out of my system. I’m happy to be in a Rustler again and looking forward to Cape Horn!

Ertan Beskardes, March 2026

The Boat

2026 GGR

In March 2026, Ertan purchased Matmut, the Rustler 36 in which Jean-Luc van den Heede won the 2018 Golden Globe Race.

Following that victory, Matmut passed through several owners and a complicated series of transactions. A New Zealand entrant acquired the boat ahead of the 2022 race but was declared medically unfit just days before the start. It was subsequently sold again, triggering a prolonged legal dispute. A further change in ownership, combined with a lack of sponsorship for a later campaign, saw the boat return to the market.

Ertan is now the new owner, bringing Matmut back into action after several years and renaming her “Miss Beagle”.

2018 & 2022 GGR

Lazy Otter was originally purchased in Fertilia, Sardinia, and prepared in just six months for the 2018 race. After the 2022 GGR, Ertan sold Lazy Otter to Pär Nyman who is preparing it for 2026!

Videos

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ertan.beskardes.7

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ertan.beskardes/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uzra90

Tracker: https://my.yb.tl/MissBeagle