# 16 skippers départ Les Sables d’Olonne for a 30,000 mile nine month race around the world.

# Thousands cheer the skippers for a huge send-off in the mythical channel with 21 gun salute. 

# Damien Guillou, Simon Curwen and Kirsten Neuschäfer lead the fleet towards Cape Finisterre

# Fair weather conditions for the first 24 hours and two options for the fleet with strong headwinds forecast.

# Aleix Seilles on the start line testing his jury rig test, hoping to leave in one week!.

Emotions ran high as family and friends bid farewell to 16 skippers setting out from Les Sables d’Olonne on one of the most gruelling challenges on the planet. The Golden Globe Race is a solo non stop voyage sailing small 32-36 ft old fashion yachts without technology and no assistance . Following years of intense preparations and safety checks, the thought of 9 months of total isolation with only high frequency radios to speak with family was daunting. 

The people of Sables d’Olonne were present in high numbers to cheer the GGR competitors and in the two weeks of the race village which drew 5000 visitors per day. Thousands lined the wall along the mythical channel of Sables d’Olonne where classic and historic yachts, competitors of the Golden Globe Race, traditional Olonnois yachts and local yachts paraded towards the startline.

“We couldn’t have wished for a better home port for the GGR than Les Sables d’Olonne” said Don McIntyre, President and Founder of the race, ” To watch the sailors depart the marina was both humbling, exciting and electric. We were all swept up in the emotion and human spirit on display. Trying to imagine the hardships and joy these sailors and dreamers will experience in the months ahead was hard. ”

The skippers were ready to go following years of preparations. It was time! The starting line was  between Tapio Lethenin’s Swan 55 Galiana and L’Esprit d’Equipe of local skipper Lionel Reigner, both Ocean Globe Race entrants. The Official start vessel was Guépard, a French Navy training ship of which the town of Les Sables d’Olonne is the godmother. The official starter was Sir Robin Knox Johnston supported by the Mayor Yannick Moreau, and the founder of the GGR, Don McIntyre.

Prologue, bis repetita?

It was Britain’s Simon Curwen who crossed the line first, followed shortly by France’s Damien Guillou on PRB, later joined by Kirsten Neuschäfer. The trio who led the previous Gijon prologue quickly took the lead of the fleet towards Cape Finisterre, 350 miles south-west of Les Sables d’Olonne, which they are expected to reach in 3 to 4 days. 

The former Classe Mini and Figaro sailor and the South African ocean navigator will be keen to set a strong pace to the rest of the fleet in the early hours of the race to implement their respective strategies. This should see them seeking the low pressure system to the west before descending to the tip of Cape Finisterre. Strong headwinds, avoiding coastal traffic and possible interactions with orcas along the Galician coast are just some of the challenges ahead.

Popular local French sailor Arnouad Gaist broke the start line by about 1 minute and was asked by the official starter to recross the line. He failed to do so. This will be addressed later, but as he sails the smallest yachts in the fleet so it is not expected to have any real impact. 

Christian Dumard, the meteorologist for legendary races such as the Vendée Globe, the Volvo Ocean Race and the Mini Transat, shares his analysis: “The conditions for the first few days of the race are going to be tough. After a start in good conditions, the low-pressure system to the west of the Celtic Sea will bring strong south westerly winds. It will be followed at the end of next week by the remains of cyclone Danielle, which formed in the middle of the Atlantic. It is therefore in a prevailing SW to W flow that the competitors will sail to Cape Finisterre, then probably to the latitude of Lisbon. The sea will be rough with waves of up to 4 metres.  They will then be able to hit the Portuguese trade winds, the famous northerly winds that will enable them to sail downwind towards the Canary Islands and the Cape Verde Archipelago.” 

There are two options in the immediate future: westwards towards heavy weather for the skippers who will want to make the difference during the first 24 hours, and a route favouring milder but more uncertain winds along the Asturian and Galician coastline. This choice, early in the race, could well lead to the first split of the fleet into 2 groups.

The Spaniard Aleix Seilles, still waiting for his mast, chose to sail alongside the fleet and test his jury rig on his Rustler 36 Onsoro. According to the Notice of Race, he may have one more week to rejoin the Race and cross the start line south of Nouch, and benefit from good weather conditions. He is determined and could well add another twist to this 2022 edition.

Next stop, Lanzarote!

• Thousands visit the Golden Globe Race Village, a popular success
• Don McIntyre wins the model race on Suhaili against Jean-Luc VDH on Joshua
• UK’s Ian Herbert-Jones wins the Olonnois Parade, succeeding Jean-Luc Van den Heede
• Elliott Smith left on opening day to complete his coms test
• Graham Dalton in doubt once again with medical issues
• Guy deBoer and Pat Lawless fail celestial nav. trials, facing penalties and a new 300 nm voyage under sextant
• Abhilash Tomy sawed-off Bayanat’s bow and is rebuilding on schedule to make the start
• Pressure is on the entrants as safety inspections are underway

In Les Sables d’Olonne, Place du Vendée Globe, the Golden Globe Race Village is a popular success attracting thousands of visitors every day, with the opportunity to meet the entrants and discover their boats on the GGR pontoons. They can also admire the models exhibition of the original 1968 boats, and partake in the many activities organised by the city of Les Sables d’Olonne.

Les Sables d’Olonne, a city of great maritime adventures, is proud and delighted to welcome the Golden Globe Race, the grandmother of the Vendée Globe. The people of Les Sables, the people of Vendée, and visitors from all over Europe, are in great numbers and enthusiastic in the Village. Join us, all are invited to join the celebrations before the Great Departure on September 4th.

said Yannick Moreau, Mayor of Les Sables d’Olonne.

Tuesday was dedicated to safety, with entrants and their team managers having a full day of briefing covering the GGR safety information, in particular safety inspection procedures, crisis management procedures, special equipment regulations and application, critical communications as well as safety aspects of film gates approaches.

The GGR Stand has a complete model exhibition of the 1968 Golden Globe fleet that is sailing daily in front of the GGR dock. Don McIntyre and Jean Luc Van den Heede, had a remote-controlled race between Suhaili and Joshua, history eventually repeated itself with Don ultimately winning the hotly disputed contest!

Wednesday honoured the friendship between local sailors and GGR skippers, sailing double-handed on the locally built traditional yachts Les Olonnois. The colourful 21-feet wooden classics went up the legendary channel and had a friendly but contested sail in front of the Grande Plage, one of the most beautiful bays in the world.

Ian Herbert -Jones a.k.a. IHJ won the Parade des Olonnois, succeeding the 2018 winner Jean-Luc Van den Heede. Like him and Robin Knox Johnston, Ian has a three-letter name. RKJ, VDH and IHJ? Watch this space!

As yachts are lined-up for the upcoming safety inspections and the delivery of the much-coveted green card, more drama unfolded on some entrants still needing to comply with the notice of race, and stringent safety regulations of the event.

Elliott Smith, who missed the Gijon communications briefing and prologue, had to set out shortly after the skipper’s presentation last Saturday for a 150 nm communications check navigation, which he has completed, and should make the start.

Graham Dalton who finally re-joined the fleet after his 2000-mile offshore qualifier, equally missed the prologue and needed to set out on his communications check sail, but he now has failed his final medical stress test earlier this week and his medical file is under review.

Pat Lawless and Guy deBoer have not submitted the celestial navigation logs made during their 2000-mile qualifier voyage. They have been fined and must now complete a new 300-mile solo voyage and submit a minimum of three celestial navigation observations before they can cross the start line.

Abhilash Tomy‘s repairs on his Rustler 36 following his previous collision are going according to plan. His team cut off the damaged bow, ready to receive the new moulded one, and his mast is nearing completion, receiving a few improvements in the process. 

It’s been a long road for the entrants to be here in Les Sables d’Olonne, and the Village opening paid a fitting tribute to their journey towards the start. The GGR has some of the most stringent safety checks and regulations in the world, and some entrants have not yet complied with them. It is critical for their safety and the race’s future that all the boxes are ticked, and we will help them in this last stretch leading up to the start

said Don McIntyre, GGR founder and chairman.

Hold fast, and follow the stories!

To follow the race :

• LIVE TRACKER on the GGR website tracker
• Or download the YELLOW BRICK app on Android or iPhone
• Follow all social media news on the website or Facebook
• Listen to daily recorded satellite calls on SoundCloud
• Follow the daily entrants tweets on Twitter, Facebook, or the GGR website

Stage Picture: Yannick Moreau (L) and Don McIntyre (R), welcome Nikki Curwen, Damien Guillou and Simon Curwen in the early hours of the morning. Picture Credit: GGR2022

With the finish of the SITraN Challenge from Gijon to Le Sables D’Olonne, the GGR Fleet is assembled for the first time on the Golden Globe Race dock, gearing up for the village opening in three days.

# Damien Guillou sets the pace for the GGR, winning the SITraN Challenge!

# Graham Dalton back in the race, now counting 17 confirmed starters.

# Abhilash Tomy racing to make repairs and the start, following a collision.

Damien Guillou (FR) on his Rustler 36 PRB was the first to cross the finish line in the dark at 0630 local time, having sailed solo from Gijon, mostly under spinnaker. The race was “pretty full-on” Damien said on arrival, as he had to contain the attacks of Simon and Nikki Curwen (UK) who also flew spinnakers on the Biscay 36 Clara, for a long beam reach from the Asturian coastline, arriving just 53 minutes behind PRB.  One hour later, South African sailor Kirsten Neuschäfer on her Cape George 36 Minnehaha arrived 3^rd on the finish line, having reached under working jib and staysail only in what she considered fast cruising! All three have staked a claim on the ultimate prize of winning the GGR!

There were a lot of conversations on arrival, as sailors tested boat speed and sail combinations with reefs, foresails, and spinnakers on a long, tight reach with winds gusting in the high 20’s on day two and asking themselves if sailing “all-in” like in a Figaro or a Mini 6.50 was worth the gain after the boats reached hull speed. Most agreed the reward of sailing fully canvassed was probably not worth the risk on a long-distance race like the GGR, and that the most competitive of them had to work to pace themselves!

The results of the SITraN Challenge and the comparable speeds these boats have is really interesting. It is clear that the Rustler 36’s are in for a tough competition with a variety of boats like the Biscay 36, Cape George 36, Gaïa 36 and Saga 36.

Said Don McIntyre, the Race Founder and President,

Also that different types of skippers from full-on racers to more conservative long-distance navigators can achieve similar results, levelling the playing field for all participants. Watch this space!

GGR Veteran Abhilash Tomy on his Rustler 36 Bayanat was doing well and in the lead with Damien Guillou, before a collision with a bulk carrier in the morning of the second day.  Abhilash was below deck with his manager on watch at the time. There were no injuries and the ship stood by for two hours while the crew checked the yacht then resumed sailing. The yacht’s bow needs serious composite work before the race starts on Sept. 4th just three weeks away. Abhilash has taken the mast off for a complete rig check, and has a team coming from Belgium led by Dutch designer and builder Dick Koopmans bringing a full Rustler bow with them. Bayanat will be back in the water and functional on August 29.

Other skippers are in Les Sables d’Olonne meeting with the fleet for the first time, with Graham Dalton back from his 2,000 nm GGR qualification. He has submitted a new application to re-join having previously resigned, which was accepted by the organisers, and the fleet now has 17 official entrants. Aleix Selles from Spain has successfully completed his 4000 nm solo sailing experience. He is trying to re-join the GGR but is now facing delays with the delivery of his new GGR mast and rigging in La Rochelle.

Elliott Smith has completed his World Sailing Survival course in the UK and is currently in Palma de Mallorca, Spain completing his STCW Medical Proficiency course. He will be returning to Les Sables next Friday, meeting the other skippers for the first time. He has missed compulsory GGR briefings so will face some penalties but is now sure to start in the GGR!

All skippers and their teams are now gathered in the same place, down the 7000 sqm Race Village managed by Les Sables d’Olonne nearing completion for the grand opening on Saturday at 10:30. The skipper’s presentation takes place on the centre stage at 16:00 and two weeks of exciting exhibitions, animations and activities are about to start!

15 Golden Globe entrants, representing 10 yacht designs and nationalities racing from Gijón to Les Sables d’Olonne in the SITraN Challenge.

• 15 yachts set off from Gijón for the Start of the 240 nm SITRAN Challenge 
• Incredible hospitality from Gijón city and sailors and an emotional send-off
• First time the GGR fleet is racing together comparing speeds across the Bay of Biscay
• Jeremy Bagshaw first across the line, Damien Guillou leading the fleet off San Lorenzo Bay
• Les Sables d’Olonne ready to host the GGR village for the opening on August 20^th.

It was a beautiful day in Gijón, and an emotional send-off from local sailors and boats who came in great numbers to wave goodbye to the 15 GGR yachts after a week of briefings and festivities. Yannick Moreau, mayor of Les Sables d’Olonne, Ana Gonzalez, mayor of Gijón, Enrique Fernandez Consejero de Industria, Empleo y Promoción Económica also went out on the water, accompanying the sailors out of Asturian waters into the Bay of Biscay.

The fifteen boats of the GGR are for the first time sailing as a fleet and measuring up to each other for this 240-mile friendly race towards les Sables d’Olonne in a nice westerly breeze, under the sun. The SITraN Challenge has no racing rules and allows boats to be sailed solo or fully crewed, with friends and family, spending quality time together before the build-up of the village leading up to the start in three weeks.

It also allows the organizers to check and validate critical safety and communication systems on this offshore voyage, including the Yellow Brick tracking and 2-way satellite communications systems, before they set off around the world. All this before final safety briefings and safety checks in Les Sables d’Olonne when entrants receive the much anticipated “Green Card” that finally lets them start!

The start was spotlessly organised by the Real Club Astur de Regatas and very hotly contested, crossed first by South African sailors Jeremy Bagshaw and Frans Loos on the OE32 Olleanna, followed by Damien Guillou sailing solo on his Rustler 36 PRB in race configuration with 230 days of food and water onboard, and the father-daughter crew of Simon and Nikki Curwen, both competitive solo sailors on the Biscay 36 Clara.

Damien soon took a solid command of the fleet, out the Ensenada de San Lorenzo, with impressive ease and speed, while the leading group was later joined by Abhilash Tomy, Kirsten Neuschäfer, Ian Herbert-Jones and Arnaud Gaist. The winds are fair towards France for a 2-day sprint to Les Sables d’Olonne.

Today is the culmination of an intense week here in Gijón, with critical safety briefings, systems set-up and tested leading up to the race state.

said Don McIntyre, president and founder of the GGR,

Most importantly it has been a special time and place where the solo sailors and teams who arrived a week ago, are now leaving as friends, through helping each other and enjoying each other’s company during the Semana Grande. This is the best outcome possible, for them and for us.

The week was filled with activities and visits to the neighbouring towns of Candàs and Villaviciosa, while the open boat morning of the Saturday was a huge success among the Asturian sailing community, especially children and young sailors who had the occasion to visit the boats and meet the skippers.

Gijon and the Asturians have been an integral part of this success, and we thank them for their incredible hospitality, enthusiasm and “ternura asturiana”

Don added.

Meanwhile, Les Sables d’Olonne are gearing up for the race village that will welcome the public in the Esplanade du Vendée Globe three weeks from now, hosting heaps of activities, boats on display, coastal race on local traditional sailboats and the grand opening with GGR 2018 winner Jean-Luc VDH live in concert!

I am delighted that the beautiful city of Gijón writes its name in the history of the GGR, a legendary race. Many thanks to our Spanish cousin city and its Mayoress, Mrs Ana Gonzales, for launching the prologue of this adventure which promises to be thrilling.

Said Yannick Moreau, mayor of Les Sables d’Olonne,

On the other side of the Bay of Biscay, the town of Les Sables d’Olonne is ready to welcome the skippers and the public: fireworks, large race  village, entertainment… 2 weeks of festivities starting on August 20th. The pressure is mounting for those who are about to set off on the longest sporting event in the world.

Picture above: The GGR participants and their team have received a warm welcome at the beautiful Real Club Astur de Regatas, of which they are honorary members for the Prologue week. Credit: RCAR.

• 15 GGR entrants have assembled for the first time on the dock in Gijón, Asturias in preparation for the prologue and SITraN Challenge to Les Sables d’Olonne.
• The city of Gijon, the Real Club Astur de Regatas, the Puerto Deportivo and local companies and towns are extending a warm welcome to the GGR
• Graham Dalton and Aleix Selles are still completing their 2000-mile GGR qualifier hoping to rejoin the race.
• American entrant Elliott Smith landed in Les Sables too late for Gijón and is heading to the UK and Palma, Spain.

It’s been a long time coming, but the skippers are finally sharing the same dock, drinks and stories of their preparations, while helping each other with final tasks. These solo sailors are definitely enjoying their social time in Spain!

The City of Gijón, the Gijón Tourism Office, the Real Astur Club de Regatas and the Puerto Deportivo de Gijón have been instrumental in making the skippers experience the legendary hospitality, maritime history and gastronomic tradition of the Asturian capital. Skippers have an occasion to gather with friends and family, sometimes flying from afar, to enjoy the summer festival of Semana Grande, a staple in the city’s cultural program, and visit the city and the surrounding areas of Asturias.

Gijón veterans Simon Curwen (GGR2022 Entrant, Hull No. 4 from UK) and Damien Guillou (GGR2022 Entrant, Hull No. 85 from FR) were delighted to return to the city that hosted many Mini 6.50, Figaro and IMOCA events.

I have been here three times for the Figaro class and it is always a pleasure to return to Gijón

said Damien Guillou (FR)

It is also a great opportunity for the competitors to get to know the Bay of Biscay during the Prologue, as our circumnavigation will start and finish in this maritime area.

Others were delighted with the discovery of a city sitting across the bay of Biscay 230 nautical miles away from les Sables d’Olonne, popular with French sailors with many rallies and races coming to the Asturian city: Barquera, Trans-Gascogne, or Pornic-Gijón.

My first visit to Gijón leaves a lasting impression after just a few days. WOW! starting with warm smiles, colourful culture in a relaxed and diverse way, this has to be the perfect city for the GGR Prologue.

Said Don McIntyre, Founder and Race Chairman.

All involved can now settle down and relax before the grand adventure begins. So happy to be here!

All have received a warm welcome at the Real Club Astur de Regatas by the club’s President Alfredo Alegría Díaz, Commodore Guillermo Marqués Prendes, and many enthusiastic sailors from Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country who coincided at the Club for the prize giving ceremony of the Regata de  Aproches, who have been offering help and local knowledge to the participants throughout the weekend. 

To have enjoyed the presence and exchange of experiences with GGR President Don McIntyre, the sailors and their support teams has been a pleasure for all of us, also because of the importance of the race, it is already part of the history of our Club.

The President of the RCAR Alfredo Alegria Diaz told us:

Now we have the privilege of having their company in our city and in our Club until next Sunday, when we will give them the departure to their next destination in Les Sables-d’Olonne.

The week will continue with entrants finishing their boat preparation, attending safety briefings, video training for race media content and planned documentary, and the SITraN Challenge back to Les Sables d’Olonne for the opening of the Race Village on August 20^th. 

They will also discover more of Asturias with visits planned to the picturesque towns of Villaviciosa on the 10^th at the Club Nautico Albatros, and Candás on the 12^th where they will be welcomed by Amelia Fernández, Mayor of Carreño for a tour and their farewell dinner.

Gijón’s Mayor Ana Gonzalez will host on Thursday an official welcome reception and press conference for the sailors, team managers, and the GGR Team. Mr. Yannick Moreau, Mayor of les Sables d’Olonne will travel to Gijón to meet his Spanish counterpart and strengthen the links between the two coastal cities of the Bay of Biscay.

Meanwhile Aleix Selles and Graham Dalton are missing the Gijón festivities as they are completing their compulsory 2000-mile GGR qualifier in the hope of being reinstated in the race. They must be back to Les Sables in time for the Race village opening. Time is of the essence leading to the start, and neither of them has much to spare. 

US entrant Elliott Smith has arrived to Les Sables d’Olonne from his maiden transatlantic crossing and GGR qualifier, but his agenda is filling up quickly with exotic destinations with yet to be completed compulsory training. He will travel to Cowes, UK to complete his survival training before heading towards Palma de Mallorca, Spain for his first Aid and STCW medical courses while his boat manager will get the yacht ship-shaped in Port Olona. We hope his passport is up-to-date!