Yachting Monthly
Fifteen skippers departed Les Sables d'Olonne for the Golden Globe Race on September 6th, embarking on a non-stop, single-handed, unassisted circumnavigation using traditional sailing techniques. Race patron Sir Robin Knox-Johnston wished them fair winds, as skippers completed last-minute preparations amidst a supportive 'GGR family' atmosphere.
Why it matters
The Golden Globe Race is a unique and challenging event in the world of sailing, testing human endurance and traditional navigation skills, captivating enthusiasts globally and preserving maritime heritage.
Direct from the pontoons in Les Sables d'Olonne, find out the skipper's final words before departure and how to follow the race
On the afternoon of Sunday 6th September, fifteen skippers left the Vendee Globe Pontoons in Les Sables d’Olonne, with one more soon to follow after a last minute repair.
They now embark on the Golden Globe Race , for which they will sail around the world nonstop, singlehanded, and without assistance using only traditional sailing techniques.
‘They’ve had enough time here. Let’s get out there and go sailing,’ GGR legend and race patron Sir Robin Knox-Johnston told Yachting Monthly just minutes before departure.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston wishing fair winds to 2026 entrant Selim Yalcin. Photo by Viveka Herzum
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