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She went around the world in 235 days to win sailing's most grueling competition
Scott Neuman
South African sailor Kirsten Neuschafer beat 15 rivals in the 2022 Golden Globe Race, a grueling, nonstop, round-the-world sailing competition. She is the first woman in the race's history to have taken first place. Kirsten Neuschafer/GGR2022 hide caption
South African sailor Kirsten Neuschafer beat 15 rivals in the 2022 Golden Globe Race, a grueling, nonstop, round-the-world sailing competition. She is the first woman in the race's history to have taken first place.
After 235 days alone at sea in a tiny fiberglass boat, South African Kirsten Neuschafer sailed to victory on Thursday in the 2022 Golden Globe nonstop, round-the-world race, crossing the finish line a day ahead of her closest rival.
In sharp contrast to the rough conditions she experienced during much of her voyage, Neuschafer, aboard her 36-foot Minnehaha, spent the last few hours with almost no wind, inching into the same harbor at Les Sables-d'Olonne, France, that she and 15 competitors departed on Sept. 4.
This race is a nonstop sail around the world. Cassette tapes are allowed, but no GPS
All but three of those entrants were subsequently forced out of the grueling race, regarded by many as the most challenging competition the sailing world has to offer. One boat sank in the Indian Ocean, with Neuschafer sailing to the skipper's rescue. Several others lost their masts or experienced other problems.
The Golden Globe is a unique race in which participants are not allowed to use most modern electronics to find their position at sea, relying instead on celestial navigation. It is a reboot of a famous 1968 race that resulted in the first nonstop, unassisted circumnavigation — a feat so rare that even today, more people have gone into space. The race was revived in 2018, and Neuschafer is now the first woman to win.
"I knew before I started that a large aspect of this race is luck and a large aspect is preparation," Neuschafer told NPR by satellite phone in February as she was about to round Cape Horn, where she faced 55 mile-per-hour winds and seas of 25 feet.
"The single-handed aspect was the one that drew me," she said of her decision to enter the race. "I really like the aspect of sailing by celestial navigation, sailing old school."
Neuschafer's closest rival, Abhilash Tomy, an Indian navy commander, is about a day behind her. Another competitor, Austrian sailor Michael Guggenberger, is not expected to finish for several more days.
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Alinghi and American Magic Wins Keep Louis Vuitton Cup Semis Alive
- By Dave Reed
- September 17, 2024
With motivational speeches delivered and celebratory send offs from their respective bases in Barcelona’s Port Vell, both American Magic and Alinghi Red Bull Racing stepped back into the ring to fight their campaign-saving match on the third day of racing at the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi Finals. Pick the preferred cliché—do or die, one and done, now or never, fight to live another day—and any one of them would be appropriate for the moment.
And as it was in the beginning of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the forecast for winds teasing the bottom of the raceable wind range elevated stress levels even more so for the American and Swiss camps. Neither had been particularly strong in the light-wind races earlier in the Louis Vuitton Cup series, and the potential for mistakes and displacement sailing was extremely high, inviting another and new cliché: fly or die.
Into the first pre-start of the day was Alinghi Red Bull Racing entering on time on port as INEOS Britannia was in the water struggling to get foiling, a sign of more to come. The Brits entered slightly late, circled high and came back trailing Alinghi from above the line. Jibing back to start early allowed Alinghi Red Bull Racing to push the British to the end of the line, dipped and turned up to start a fraction early, picking up an OCS penalty by the length of its long foil arm.
A prompt tack away cleared the penalty but sent the Swiss to the right side of the course, where the wind was notably lighter. INEOS Britannia owned the cross by a good 50 meters, controlled the first leg without pressure from the Swiss. Clean turns in conservative sailing kept the British comfortably out front, seeing them through the first gate with a 40-meter and 17-second lead.
With slightly better pace downwind, INEOS was through the next gates with a 400-meter lead. Their runaway advantage evaporated immediately, however, when they reached the left course boundary and failed to foil through the tack. With INEOS Britannia stuck in the water and unable to accelerate, the Swiss rounded through the gate with just enough speed to pull off a foiling tack at the boundary. And in a blink, Alinghi was in charge of the race on Leg 3, establishing a lead that carried them through the finish with a win—with both boats in displacement mode and finishing just inside the race-time limit, thanks to a shortened course by the race committee.
Then came the match that American Magic was desperate to win to turn their fortunes around. With just enough wind to start the race, American Magic entered on port at 34 knots. Luna Rossa circled back from the left side of the starting box and American Magic’s Tom Slingsby, in the starboard cockpit, took one attempt at hunting the Italians with a port-starboard cross. Luna Rossa got past without issue, which allowed them to set up high and the Americans well ahead of their timing. To leeward and a good 2-knots slower, American Magic was pinned and Luna Rossa simply climbed over the top of the Americans.
With simultaneous tacks at the boundary American Magic attempted to sail low and fast to leeward of the Italians silver boat. Luna Rossa played a tight cover until American Magic was able to break the cover and get to the middle of the course and a cross-course split. Still Luna Rossa nailed its first layline and was through the gate with a 17-second lead, splitting sides again. Luna Rossa owned the first downwind cross and a 190-meter lead and was clinical with its jibes.
Through the next gate, Luna Rossa had a clean rounding to the left and American Magic right by 17 seconds still. American Magic came back from the right and jumped into the lead, with a tight cross and the Italians picking up a penalty while ducking Patriot. The Italians easily burned off the penalty and reclaimed the lead on the next cross, but when they met again, Luna Rossa, on port, tried a close cross and the umpires had their finger on the penalty button with an easy call. The boats met again at the get with American Magic with a 20-meter lead and only 2 seconds between them and another split.
From opposite sides of the course, American Magic owned the cross by 27 meters and even speeds on the run. At the next intersection American Magic had an easy cross, sailing their best light-air race of the series. At the first downwind gate, American Magic, on starboard, had a straight shot at the right-hand gate mark (looking downwind) and were clean through.
Luna Rossa entered the zone first and tried to force a penalty on the Americans but Slingsby knew exactly what to do, giving the Italians plenty of berth and cruising through to leeward. The hairpin turn for the Italians was too much for their foils to handle, and they were off the foils and stuck at the bottom corner of the course, unable to build enough speed to tack at the boundary.
With a course all their own, American Magic stretched their lead to a leg and a mile and ultimately a 2-mile win, keeping the series alive and ready to fight another day.
“It was a good race,” said Slingsby after the only race of the day—the second being postponed when the wind dropped below the limit. “The start was close. The boat felt really good. We have been making some changes, and in those light conditions that were kind of a weak spot for us a week ago, the boat feels as good as it ever has in those conditions. That’s exciting, and we are going to be faster again on Wednesday. I think the hardest win is the first one and now we are off and running. If you look at the four races they have beaten us, it’s by a total of 50 seconds over them all – and we just beat them by a lap. So, yes, we are confident.”
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Sailor races around the world in 235 days, becomes first woman to win global competition
- The Golden Globe Race required sailors to leave France on Sept. 4, 2022 and sail around the world.
- Kirsten Neuschäfer, from South Africa, won the 2022 race once she crossed the finish line on Thursday.
- She's the first woman to complete such a race, organizers say.
A South African skipper who set out nearly eight months ago to sail across the world has made history as the first woman to win an around-the-world race by the three great capes.
Kirsten Neuschäfer, of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, won the 2022 Golden Globe Race, crossing the finish line in France Thursday .
She completed the course in 235 days, 5 hours and 44 minutes, sailing 30,290 nautical miles total.
Organizers said her feat makes her the first woman to win a race around the three "great capes" of South America, Africa and Australia.
"If Kirsten was crossing the line in first place, she would be the first woman to win a round-the-world race by the three great capes, including solo and fully crewed races, nonstop or with stops, and the first South African sailor to win a round-the-world event," race officials said Tuesday .
Golden Globe Race course
The race required participants to leave Les Sables-d’Olonne, France on Sept. 4, 2022 and sail nonstop around the world via the world's great capes in the Southern Hemisphere, then return to Les Sables-d’Olonne. They had to do it alone with no help, organizers said on the race's website .
Other sailors in the race were from France, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Malta and more.
Competition officials had predicted this week that Simon Curwen from the United Kingdom would complete the race first on Thursday, followed by Neuschäfer on Friday morning and Abhilash Tomy from India on Friday evening.
Sailors were tracked during their journeys, and race enthusiasts could keep up with their progress on the race's website.
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What are the rules?
Once the starting shot sounded n Sept. 4, 2022 , sailors had to start the trek within five days. They were able to seek shelter and anchor for repairs at sea but could not enter a port, nor could they receive help from others.
Those who finished the race will get a Golden Globe plaque and the Golden Globe perpetual trophy, organizers said.
The winner has sailed film crews, cycled thousands of miles and more
Neuschäfer completed the race on a Cape George Cutter called Minnehaha. The 36-foot boat is named after a fictional native woman from American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1855 poem "The Song of Hiawatha."
"She is the lover of the poem's primary character, Hiawatha," Neuschäfer's website reads. "The name Minnehaha is said to mean 'laughing water' in the poem. It more accurately translates to 'waterfall' in the Dakota Sioux language."
Neuschäfer has been sailing since she was a child, organizers said. She began sailing professionally in 2006, working as a trainer and completing sailboat deliveries, including one from Portugal to South Africa.
She also has helped transport film crews to the Antarctic to gather footage and was featured in the National Geographic series ‘Wild Life Resurrection Island with Bertie Gregory,’ sailing his crew throughout south Georgia as they looked into the area's ecosystems and its challenges.
She's also a cycler and once traveled from Europe to South Africa, cycling more than 9,320 miles in one year.
How did the race begin?
The Golden Globe Race dates back to the 1960s, when British sailor Francis Chichester left England to sail around the world to Australia and back via the five Great Capes. He did it in 226 days – 274 days if you include a stopover in Sydney – to set a record for the fastest voyage around the world in a small boat.
Just a few years later in 1968, nine additional participants set out to sail solo nonstop around the globe. The only one to finish was Robin Knox-Johnston, who finished in 312 days, according to Golden Globe Race organizers .
Today's race is for "those who dare," much like it was for Sir Robin, organizers wrote on their website.
And dare, Neuschäfer did.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757 – and loves all things horror, witches, Christmas, and food. Follow her on Twitter at @Saleen_Martin or email her at [email protected] .
America’s Cup: Alinghi Red Bull Racing eliminated; Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli suffer mid-race damage
The bell has tolled for Alinghi Red Bull Racing ’s campaign in the 37th America’s Cup.
In their return to the arena for the first time since 2010, the Swiss entry was eliminated 5-2 by Ineos Britannia in the semifinals of the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series this morning.
It was a match-up chosen by the British, who earned the right to select their semifinal opponent after finishing the round-robin stage at the top of the leaderboard. With the Swiss coming into the semifinals as the lowest-ranked team, it made sense – and looked like a smart play when Ineos Britannia raced out to a 4-0 lead.
But Alinghi fought back, winning Tuesday morning’s race to get on the board before claiming their second win in the first outing this morning. However, they weren’t able to double the dose as the British sailed a strong seventh race to end Alinghi’s campaign.
“Happy with that. [It was a] tough day out here. For people watching on the telly it probably looked like we were doing a pretty bad job, but it’s pretty hard out here with the wind all over the place and the waves,” Ineos Britannia starboard helmsman Sir Ben Ainslie said afterwards.
“Also, credit to Alinghi. They sailed a great first race and pushed us hard in the second race. It’s obviously hard on them to not make it through this stage. They’re a great team.
“I think we’re all very relieved to have got through today and survived and made it through to the final, because in this stuff anything could happen.”
The Brits now await their opponent for the final of the challenger series, with American Magic winning both of their races against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli to bring their semifinal series to 4-3 in favour of the Italians.
The Italians suffered a gear failure in their second race of the day, with the traveller track on their AC75 breaking with a loud bang and forcing them out of the contest. At the time of the incident, the Italians were winning and looked well-positioned to consolidate their lead late in what had been a razor-thin contest to that point.
Their shore team will now be working around the clock to repair the damage before tomorrow’s action, with that semifinal to be settled – should the weather play ball.
“We’ve got a lot of faith in our shore team,” Luna Rossa starboard helmsman Jimmy Spithill said.
“They’re definitely one of the best in the business. We have to wait until we get back to shore, but there’s no doubt our boys will pull out every stop we need to get us back out there.”
Alinghi Red Bull Racing (Switzerland) beat Ineos Britannia (UK) by 1m23s
American Magic (United States) beat Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (Italy) by disqualification
Ineos Britannia beat Alinghi Red Bull Racing by 1m10s
Ineos Britannia eliminate Alinghi Red Bull Racing 5-2; Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli lead American Magic 4-3
Team NZ hit the halfway mark
Team NZ’s youth team have hit the halfway point of the first stage of the Youth America’s Cup regatta, with Group A completing another two races last night.
With the Youth America’s Cup comprised of 12 teams, the entries have been split into two groups – America’s Cup teams in one, invited nations in the other – with each completing eight fleet races before the top three move into the knockout stages.
Now through four races, Team NZ have work to do if they are to be involved in the next stage of the Youth America’s Cup, currently sitting fourth in their group.
It was another mixed day for the New Zealand crew, with a big splashdown in race four providing costly as they came away with a third and a fourth from the day’s two contests – the same results they posted on day one.
Italian crew Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli look like the team to beat as they again excelled and hold a comfortable lead atop the standings.
On day two, the two outings only featured four teams, with the French and Americans not racing. The French are yet to complete a race in the Youth America’s Cup after issues with their boat saw them ruled out of day one as well and have been awarded four points in every race so far due to their non-participation being out of their control.
Youth America’s Cup Group A standings
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli 37
American Magic 25
Athena Pathway (UK) 22
Orient Express-L’Oreal Racing Team (France) 16
Alinghi Red Bull Racing 14
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.
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INEOS Britannia Win: Ben Ainslie’s Team in Louis Vuitton Cup Final
Breaking News: After a good fight from the Swiss Alinghi Red Bull Racing team, the challenger of record, INEOS Britannia, have claimed their 5th win and are now through to the Louis Vuitton Cup final!
The 37th America’s Cup regatta is in full force, and we’ve been treated to some exciting racing as the teams have been battling it out for the Louis Vuitton Cup.
This year has certainly seen some diverse racing conditions, ranging from lightning striking the course, to limited wind, with the AC75s struggling to lift. INEOS Britannia had kept an impressive lead against the Swiss Alinghi Red Bull Racing team throughout the semi-finals, where they whistled through and won the first 4 races.
However, the 5th race, stacked with British hopes of succeeding to the Louis Vuitton Cup final , had very little wind. The two teams had difficulty staying on the foils, particularly the British boat, leading to a humbling disappointment for Ben Ainslie and his team, as the Swiss signalled to Ben Ainslie’s team and onlookers that the fight wasn’t over yet!
And it wasn’t… Alinghi went on to steal another win off the INEOS, and began to write a brilliant comeback story.
INEOS Britannia win
Nevertheless, INEOS Britannia fought back, taking a well earned and somewhat tight 5th win against the Swiss team, landing them a place in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final – the first team through!
There has been plenty of tension and thrill so far, but with the challenger of record claiming a 5th win, the final looms and stakes are rising…
So who will they be up against? Will the Italians take the win, or are American Magic coming back in the race? Stay tuned.
More on the Auld Mug
- 37th America’s Cup: Key Info, Dates & How to Watch
- INEOS Britannia Team Profile: Royal Yacht Squadron
- America’s Cup Boats: What it’s like helming an AC75
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LOUIS VUITTON 37TH AMERICA'S CUP BARCELONA
Welcome to the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup taking place between August and October 2024 in the beating heart of beautiful Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and one of the most visited cities on planet Earth. Situated around Port Vell and along the beach to Port Olímpic, the sailing world has made Barcelona their home for what promises to be one of the most intense America’s Cups in the event’s 174-year history.
WHAT IS THE AMERICA'S CUP: THE RACE WITH NO SECOND PLACE
It is the oldest international sporting trophy – dating back to 1851 – and stands as one of the hardest sporting endeavours. The New York Yacht Club, one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, held the trophy for 132 years before losing it in 1983 to Australia. Since then, the Cup has only been won by teams from the United States, Switzerland, and New Zealand. The current Defender of the America's Cup is Emirates Team New Zealand, representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
WHERE: BARCELONA, CATALONIA, SPAIN
“Like a jewel in the sun” was how Montserrat Caballé and Freddy Mercury described Barcelona in their famous song about the city. The cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region–known worldwide for its art, architecture and vibrancy–is shining even brighter as preparations are well underway to welcome the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup and its teams. All the teams’ bases are located within the Port Vell area and surrounded by the America’s Cup Race Village where tens of thousands of spectators can be accommodated daily. The racecourse, just outside the port entrance breakwaters, is set in front of significant fan zones, beach viewing platforms and a hospitality area to provide the perfect vista.
WHEN: AUGUST – OCTOBER 2024
The Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta starts on the 22nd August and the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series) will follow, leading up to the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Match starting on the 12th of October 2024. During 2023 and early 2024, three preliminary events will be held in Vilanova i La Geltrú, Jeddah, and Barcelona. In June 2023, all teams set up their bases and are training in Barcelona. Further details and race schedules will be published in due course.
WHO’S RACING: Emirates Team New Zealand, INEOS Britannia, Alinghi Red Bull Racing, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, NYYC American Magic and Orient Express Racing Team
The holders of the America’s Cup are Emirates Team New Zealand representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, but some strong competition is coming for them. INEOS Britannia, the ‘Challenger of Record’ from the United Kingdom, are in charge of the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series) to decide who will race against Emirates Team New Zealand for the trophy. The unique format of the Cup sees the Defender of the trophy automatically entitled to race in the final Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Match whereas the Challengers will undertake a series to find the top yacht to take on the New Zealand team. The additional confirmed entries are: Alinghi Red Bull Racing from Switzerland, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli from Italy, American Magic New York Yacht Club from the USA and Orient Express Racing Team from France.
WHAT BOATS: AC75 AND AC40
The AC75s are the pinnacle of foiling monohull yachts. Created for the 36th America’s Cup, they are a technological leap ahead of typical yachts as Formula 1 is to your daily driver. With foils that lift them out of the water and enable the yachts to generate so much momentum that they sail 4x faster than the wind.
For the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, the second generation of the AC75s will be even faster with wider foils and refinements all over. Eight crew will be aboard and some of the finest sailing talent will be charged with racing them.
The AC40s, meanwhile, are the boats used for the UniCredit Youth and Puig Women's America’s Cup events and as training vessels for the main teams competing in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup. Smaller but no less potent, with a four-person crew, these pocket-rockets were launched to much fanfare in September 2022, and their performance has been astonishing.
Event Format
The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Barcelona will comprise several events that will eventually culminate in the October 2024 Match. The Preliminary Regattas will serve as warm-up races ahead of the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series), which decides who moves on and faces the Defender for the ultimate prize. The very best female and youth athletes from around the world will be thrust into America’s Cup level racing for the UniCredit Youth & Puig Women's America's Cup events, paving the pathway to the future of the America’s Cup itself.
LOUIS VUITTON CUP: SEPTEMBER 2024
The Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selections Series) will determine which team will face the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match.
The Louis Vuitton Cup will comprise of a double Round Robin stage and a Semi-Final stage, followed by a two-boat Final. The top four teams will race in a first-to-five-points Semi-Final, with the two winners advancing to the Final Match Race. The winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the team to first score seven points, will face Emirates Team New Zealand, the Defender of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup.
LOUIS VUITTON 37TH AMERICA'S CUP MATCH: STARTS 12 OCTOBER 2024
The America’s Cup is the race with no second place. Either you win or you lose, and it has been like this for over 170 years.
In October 2024 the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand will face the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series) in a 13-race Match. Each race will be a match race between the two teams. The winner of each race scores one point, the loser scores no points. The first team to score seven points will become the Defender of the 38th America’s Cup.
HOW TO WATCH
The America’s Cup Race Village is where you want to be in the middle of the action and experience the event's buzz off the water. The Race Village is completely FREE throughout all America's Cup events, and it will be located in Port Vell along Moll de la Fusta, connecting people to boats, team bases and events. The beaches between Port Vell and Port Olímpic will allow FREE race viewing for everyone.
There will be no ticketing arrangements and we encourage everyone to come and soak in the unique atmosphere of world-class America’s Cup racing that promises to be fast, furious and very close. Having witnessed the racing live, don’t forget to take a stroll through the Race Village to watch sailor presentations from the main stages as well as food, drink, sponsor and team activities daily.
For those spectators wishing to watch the races from their own vessels, areas will be dedicated for yachts and small crafts around the perimeter. Be sure you register your boat HERE to stay up to date with all the latest information
For those unable to attend the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup races in person and see the action just off the waterfront, don’t worry! The America’s Cup races will be live-streamed across the official America’s Cup website as well as available to watch on YouTube in most territories. The America’s Cup Social Media channels on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X (formerly known as Twitter) will also be fully activated and updated throughout the racing with a mix of multi-media, and daily race reports will be available on the America’s Cup website after racing.
Hospitality
Open for the duration of the competition, HOUSE OF AC37 is the exclusive and official land-based ticketed hospitality experience of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup. Situated within Port Olímpic and set alongside the UniCredit Youth & Puig Women's America's Cup Team Bases, House of AC37 benefits from one of the best locations in Barcelona at the heart of the competition. Finding a perfect balance between thrilling race entertainment and first-class gastronomy, ‘The House’ has been designed to cater to your home comforts while delivering a refined and authentic America’s Cup experience. With giant screens, expert commentary and Michelin quality dining, this is the prime spot to set up your race base for the competition. Click the link below and secure you official hospitality packages.
HOW TO FOLLOW
High quality coverage (live, highlights, clips and news) of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Barcelona will be distributed on the broadest possible basis to maximise the audience for the event. This will include distribution on TV, online and on mobile through partnerships with broadcasters and via the America's Cup website and its official social media channels.
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Rolex Fastnet Race winner declared as Caro takes victory overall
- Toby Heppell
- July 26, 2023
Max Klink's Botin 52, Caro has been declared winner of the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race, the 50th edition of the event after a big breeze start on Saturday
Max Klink’s Botin 52, Caro , has officially been declared the winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race 2023 , with the announcement coming early afternoon on Wednesday 26th July.
“This is a legendary group of sailors who I have been fortunate to sail with for a few years now,” said Swiss owner, Klink, “but when we set out on this race I never expected that we could win. It’s a dream come true, and all the more special that this is the 50th edition of such an iconic race.
“The first 12 hours we were just in survival mode, trying not to break anything, trying to keep the boat at 100 per cent. I wasn’t thinking about any title or trophy, it was just about getting through the conditions.”
Tactician aboard Caro for the race, Adrian Stead – himself a two-time winner previously with Niklas Zennström’s Rán – added: “Conditions were pretty extreme and to the west of Portland we found ourselves all sitting in the cockpit and sailing at 5-6 knots just to get through, just to make sure we didn’t break the boat.”
The team lost their wind instruments in those early moments and so had to complete the majority of the course without a significant amount of their instrumentation. But having weathered the early conditions well otherwise, they proved very quick, particularly after rounding the Fastnet Rock.
Stead admits they had the dream run back from the Isles of Scilly. “We pretty much straightlined it all the way and we realised we had a very good shot at winning IRC Zero so pulled out all the stops, got out some extra chocolate bars and had everyone hiking hard on the rail for the last few hours into the finish.
“We were fortunate how the weather worked out for us, but I think we did a great job of preparation and keeping ourselves in the game for as long as possible and we are so pleased how it all paid off.”
The Caro team had practised the start and all the way out to the Fairway Buoy on the Wednesday before the race start, with similar current and in 25 knots in order to ensure that they were acclimatised to the course start, and the conditions expected.
Caro crossed the finish line at 06:25:02 on Tuesday 25th July giving them a total race time of 2 days 16 hours 40minutes and 2 seconds. But they faced a long wait for confirmation of their win with the bulk of the fleet still out on the water and with several boats still hypothetically in contention.
However, the outlook was positive for the eventual winners as the wind dropped off for the fleets behind, particularly on Tuesday afternoon and evening when conditions turned very light, particularly in the English Channel.
Caro closing in on the Rolex Fastnet Race finish/ Photo: Paul Wyeth / RORC
Caro had already been declared winner of IRC Zero on Tuesday, so all eyes were on the slower fleets to see who might challenge. The wind was forecast to build again from the south-west overnight on Tuesday and during the course of the day on Wednesday 26 July, which potentially could have seen some of the smallest boats coming home in faster conditions towards the finish.
But, though the breeze did increase (and the forecast looks for much more wind and rain later on Wednesday night) the build did not come early enough for the smaller boats to put up any real challenge for the win.
“Max is a great owner, he’s got a fantastic team with a really well prepared boat and those are all the boxes you need to tick for a race like the Fastnet,” Stead concluded.
The winning crew on Caro are: William Parker, Wade Morgan, Ryan Godfrey, Justin Ferris, Jono Swain, James Paterson, Harry Hall, Cian Guilfoyle, Andrew McCorquodale, Andy Green, Adrian Stead and owner Max Klink.
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Latest News: 2026 Golden Globe Race – Two years to go!
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"I think this Golden Globe Race is a wonderful idea. Why dream of it and never do it. This is a challenge that has been created to achieve that dream." Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Race Patron
The 58th Anniversary edition of the first Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in 1968/69
The 2026 Golden Globe Race
21 sailors… 30,000 miles… non-stop… alone… no outside assistance, like the original sunday times event, the 2026 golden globe race is very simple: depart from les sables-d’olonne, france on september 6th, 2026 and sail solo, non-stop around the world, via the five great capes and return to les sables-d’olonne..
Entrants are limited to sailing similar yachts and equipment to what was available to Sir Robin in that first race. That means sailing without modern technology or the benefit of satellite-based navigation aids.
Competitors must sail in production boats between 32ft and 36ft overall (9.75 – 10.97m) designed prior to 1988 that have a full-length keel with rudder attached to their trailing edge. These yachts are heavily built, strong and sturdy, similar in concept to Sir Robin’s 32ft vessel Suhaili.
In contrast to the current professional world of elite ocean racing, this edition travels back to a time known as the ‘Golden Age’ of solo sailing.
Suhaili was a slow, sturdy 32ft double-ended ketch based on a William Atkins ERIC design. She was heavily built of teak and carried no computers, GPS, satellite phone or water-maker, and Robin completed the challenge with no outside assistance or aid of modern-day shore-based weather routing advice. He had only a wind-up chronometer and a barograph to face the world alone and caught rainwater to survive.
But he was at one with the ocean, able to contemplate and absorb all that this epic voyage had to offer.
Bringing back the Golden Globe Race and thus the ‘Golden Age’ of solo sailing is to celebrate the original event, the winner, his boat and that significant world-first achievement.
Once again competitors in this 2026 race will be sailing simple boats using basic equipment to guarantee a satisfying and personal experience. The challenge is pure and very raw, placing adventure ahead of winning at all costs.
It is for ‘those who dare’, just as it was for Sir Robin.
They will be navigating with sextant on paper charts, without electronic instruments or autopilots. They will hand-write their logs and determine the weather for themselves. Only occasionally will they talk to loved ones and the outside world when long-range high-frequency radios allow. It is now possible to race a monohull solo around the world in under 80 days, but sailors entered in this race will spend around 250 days at sea in little boats, challenging themselves and each other.
The 2026 Golden Globe Race will be another fitting tribute to the first edition.
Don McIntyre, Race Founder and Chairman – about the 2026 Golden Globe Race:
I was first exposed to the inaugural 1982 BOC Challenge Around Alone Race during the Sydney stopover, working on Aries wind vanes used by competitors. I spent time with them all. We laughed together and I heard their stories. I met my boyhood champion, Robin Knox-Johnston and was hooked. I decided to compete in the 1986 event, but with a part built boat, I ran out of time, so had to be content in the role of Sydney BOC Race Chairman that year. Competing in the 1990-91 BOC Challenge was one of the highlights in my life. On reflection, I always considered myself lucky as, in my opinion, it was the last of the ‘adventure events’. Each future race became increasingly performance orientated, sailed by elite sportsmen and women in ever more extreme yachts, focused on winning at all costs. Nothing wrong with that, in fact it was and still is incredibly exciting, but it was simply a lot more of an adventure in 1990. My dream to sail solo around the world was borne of inspiration gained while following the solo voyages of Francis Chichester, Robin Knox-Johnston and Bernard Moitessier, and reading about Chay Blyth, Blondie Hasler and others from the ‘Golden Age’ of solo sailing. That was an exciting period! In 2008, I saw Sir Robin Knox-Johnston speaking on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his record setting 1968 non-stop circumnavigation. Referring to the current space-age building materials, high tech satellite systems and computers supporting today’s solo sailors, he simply said (by comparison to his own experience back then) ‘This takes the spice out of it!’. Well, just like the 2018 and 2022 editions, the 2026 Golden Globe Race very definitely puts the spice back into it and, by world standards, offers a very unique and demanding challenge to any sailor who’s up for it. That same year, Robin was asked: ‘What would you say to sailors thinking of circumnavigating?’ His response: ‘My advice to them would be quite simply this. If you’ve got the idea, and you want to do it, then do it. Don’t let ANYTHING get in the way. Far too many people sit in yacht clubs talking about it but then never do it. DO IT! You’ll never regret it.’ He’s right of course. Over the years I have personally supported many young solo sailors, men and women, to achieve their dreams. I hope this event will let many more – and maybe you! – achieve theirs! The 2018 and 2022 races were incredibly exciting and the 2026 GGR edition once again will venture into the unknown – watch this space!
Aims & Objectives
- To create a unique ‘RETRO’ non-stop solo around the world yacht race, in the image of the original Sunday Times Golden Globe that draws sailors back to the Golden Age of ‘one sailor, one boat’ facing the great oceans of the world.
- To organise a race where the adventure takes precedence over winning at all costs.
- To professionally manage an event where the sailor’s skill and traditional seamanship alone, rather than modern technology or support crews, gets them home and where the achievement truly belongs to the skipper.
- To give sailors of all ages an opportunity to race solo around the world safely, in a fleet of similar and affordable yachts in the spirit of Suhaili.
All historic video footage and photos of the 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race are the exclusive copyright of PPL PHOTO AGENCY and may not be reproduced in any format for any purpose under any condition and may not be retransmitted at any time without the written permission of the rights holder. For video or image licensing, please email: [email protected] or visit www.pplmedia.com .
The Race in Numbers
"When I first heard about the 2018 GGR I thought it was a great idea, why not do it, reach out to people who have the ambition to do something special with their lives." Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Patron of the Golden Globe Race
That was the time Sir Robin Knox-Johnston took to complete the first solo non-stop circumnavigation. The winning yacht in this race can be expected to complete the same distance in 260 days.
The number of individuals to have sailed solo around Cape Horn and other Great Capes in the Southern Ocean. This compares to almost 700 astronauts who have been shot into space!
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The Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup taking place between 22nd August and 27th October 2024 in Barcelona
Throughout the 2022 Golden Globe Race, Kirsten Neuschafer has fought to be at the front of the fleet, her ambition to win driving her more than many of the other entrants.. She deliberately chose a boat that she believed could win the race and survive the Southern Ocean. Speaking to Yachting Monthly from Prince Edward Island, where she was refitting the boat, she said: 'From the outset it ...
louis vuitton 37th america's cup louis vuitton 37th america's cup 12 - 27 october 2024
South African sailor Kirsten Neuschafer beat 15 rivals in the 2022 Golden Globe Race, a grueling, nonstop, round-the-world sailing competition. She is the first woman in the race's history to have ...
The race is based on the 1968-69 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race which saw Sir Robin Knox-Johnston become the first person to circumnavigate the globe, sailing solo on his boat Suhaili without ...
Kirsten Neuschäfer has become the first woman to win a solo around the world race, finishing 1st in the Golden Globe Race ... in Les Sables d'Olonne as winner of the Golden Globe Race 2022/23 ...
A day of wildly swinging fortunes on a tricky Barcelona racetrack saw the Challenger of Record, INEOS Britannia, secure their place in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final with a win over Alinghi Red Bull Racing in the pair's second race of the day. Meanwhile, in the other side of the draw NYYC American Magic kept the American dream alive with two critical wins over Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli that takes ...
As winner of the Golden Globe Race, Kirsten Neuschäfer is the first woman to win a solo around the world race. Helen Fretter finds out what drives her. "Sometimes in the tropics, if it's nice ...
A buoyant and relieved Tom Slingsby after American Magic's first race win of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi Finals on Day 3. ... sailing their best light-air race of the series. At the first ...
She completed the course in 235 days, 5 hours and 44 minutes, sailing 30,290 nautical miles total. Organizers said her feat makes her the first woman to win a race around the three "great capes ...
INEOS Britannia has advanced to the final of the America's Cup playoffs while NYYC American Magic took advantage of a mid-race failure on the boat of Italy's Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli to keep alive its hopes of pulling off an unexpected comeback in the semifinals.
Day 4 of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals in Barcelona.SUBSCRIBE to the official America's Cup channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/americascupLike America's ...
The answer to sailing fans is obvious: 1851 in the famous race around the Isle of Wight.… Unexpected winners: what we learned from the Louis Vuitton Cup Day 1 August 29, 2024
Maiden has beaten 14 teams to win the Ocean Globe Race on IRC handicap, becoming the first ever all-women crew to win an around-the-world yacht race, it was confirmed early on Monday 22 April 2024.. The international all-female crew crossed the finish line at the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes at 1052 UTC on 16 April, having sailed 6599 miles from Punta del Este on Leg 4 of the Ocean Globe Race.
The 36th America's Cup in March 2021 was the latest staging of the America's Cup yacht race. It was contested on the inner Hauraki Gulf off Auckland, New Zealand, between the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Circolo della Vela Sicilia of Italy. The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's boat was Te Rehutai owned and sailed by the Emirates Team New Zealand syndicate.
Who was the winner of the 2022-23 Golden Globe Race? Kirsten Neuschäfer - SOUTH AFRICA - Winner of the 2022-23 Golden Globe. Abhilash Tomy - INDIA - Second place in the 2022-23 Golden Globe. Michael Guggenberger - AUSTRIA - Third in the 2022-23 Golden Globe. Skippers still racing but now in the Chichester class (those who have made ...
Results. Alinghi Red Bull Racing (Switzerland) beat Ineos Britannia (UK) by 1m23s. American Magic (United States) beat Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (Italy) by disqualification
However, the 5th race, stacked with British hopes of succeeding to the Louis Vuitton Cup final, had very little wind.The two teams had difficulty staying on the foils, particularly the British boat, leading to a humbling disappointment for Ben Ainslie and his team, as the Swiss signalled to Ben Ainslie's team and onlookers that the fight wasn't over yet!
The New York Yacht Club, one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, held the trophy for 132 years before losing it in 1983 to Australia. Since then, the Cup has only been won by teams from the United States, Switzerland, and New Zealand. ... with the two winners advancing to the Final Match Race. The winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the ...
Entrants. 21. Youngest Skipper. 73. Oldest Skipper. 47. Average Skipper Age. "When I first heard about the 2018 GGR I thought it was a great idea, why not do it, reach out to people who have the ambition to do something special with their lives." Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Patron of the Golden Globe Race.
The America's Cup is a sailing competition and the oldest international competition still operating in any sport. [1] [2] [3] America's Cup match races are held between two sailing yachts: one from the yacht club that currently holds the trophy (known as the defender) and the other from the yacht club that is challenging for the cup (the challenger).The winner is awarded the America's Cup ...
SailGP's ambition is to be the world's most sustainable and purpose-driven global sports and entertainment platform. We are racing for a better future and believe sport has the power to change the world. The Official Website of SailGP - get the latest sail racing news, calendar, results, rankings and schedule.
Max Klink's Botin 52, Caro, has officially been declared the winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race 2023, with the announcement coming early afternoon on Wednesday 26th July. "This is a legendary ...
Died by suicide. North Atlantic 1 July 1969. 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race entrants. There was only one finisher - Robin Knox-Johnston and his 9.75m traditional ketch-rigged double-ended yacht Suhaili who, at the start, were considered the most unlikely boat and given no chance. The rest either sank, retired or committed suicide.
Held at noon today in Caen The prize-giving for the CIC Normandy Channel Race took place at noon today in Caen. The Italo-French crew on Alla Grande Pirelli lifted the crown, rounding off this splendid 14th edition of the great Norman classic in style. Posted on 11 Jun 2023 14th CIC Normandy Channel Race winner
Bringing back the Golden Globe Race and thus the 'Golden Age' of solo sailing is to celebrate the original event, the winner, his boat and that significant world-first achievement. Once again competitors in this 2026 race will be sailing simple boats using basic equipment to guarantee a satisfying and personal experience.
The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup wrapped on Saturday, after a tough week for teams and race committee alike with the Mistral wind blowing so strong they only completed two days of the scheduled 5 race days. Doyle-powered teams sweeping the silverware in Maxi 1, Maxi 2 and Maxi Multihull divisions ...
Race participants in Baltimore Inner Harbor, 2006. The Ocean Race is a yacht race around the world, held every three or four years since 1973. Originally named the Whitbread Round the World Race after its initiating sponsor, British brewing company Whitbread, [1] in 2001 it became the Volvo Ocean Race after Swedish automobile manufacturer Volvo took up the sponsorship, [1] and in 2019 it was ...
The first-ever race of the new Coastal Pointscore series kicked off with the Lion Island Race (part of the Club Marine Ocean Pointscore) on Saturday, 14 September. In a competitive start at 11:35 AM, Smuggler, skippered by Sebastian Bohm, led the charge out of Sydney Heads, setting the pace for the fleet. With steady winds
The 2022 Golden Globe Race is a solo, nonstop yacht race around the world with no assistance and without the use of modern technology. This means the skippers can't use GPS, chartplotters, electric winches, autopilots, mobile phones, iPads or use synthetic materials like Spectra, Kevlar or Vectron. Their only means of communication is via ...