Two-year countdown to the 2018 Golden Globe solo round the world race

The 2018 Golden Globe Race © PPL

Kevin Farebrother from Australia © Kevin Farebrother

Thursday marked the commencement of a 2-year count-down to the start of the 2018 Golden Globe solo non-stop round the world race from Falmouth, England. This update highlights the advanced state of preparation many of the entrants from 15 countries are at.

• Two new entrant confirmations: Kevin Farebrother from Australia; Lionel Regnier from France.
• 2 more named on Waitlist: Francesco Cappelletti (39) & Federico Beccaria (48) bring the number on waitlisted entrants to 7
• Entrant preparations: 26 skippers confirm their choice of yacht
• 2016 GGR Skipper Conference to be held at Paris Boat Show in December
• First skipper completes 6 hour proving trial of jury rig

New entrant confirmations

With just 2 years to go before the start of the 2018 Golden Globe Race (GGR) from Falmouth UK on 16th June, Kevin Farebrother from Australia, Lionel Regnier from France bring the entry list to 30 + 7 on wait list.

Kevin Farebrother - Australia This 48-year-old fireman from Perth, West Australia is an adventurer at heart, having just completed his 3rd successful assent of Mount Everest (May 15). The former SAS Soldier took with him on that climb a copy of Robin Knox-Johnston's book A world of my own, and says: "The story of winning the first Golden Globe Race in 1969 was far more scary than anything I've experienced climbing Everest!"

Kevin has been sailing a UFO 34 yacht for the past 3 years, and has bought Don McIntyre's Tradewind 35 Silver Heels to do the GGR.

"My first task is to sail Silver Heels round the top of Australia from Sydney to Perth, which will give me quite a bit of practice. Getting her to the start in Falmouth is the biggest challenge. That involves completing a circumnavigation of Australia, crossing the Pacific to Panama and sailing solo up the Atlantic while trying to keep down my job!"

In between, Farebrother has one more assault on Everest planned. "I'll be leading a team up the mountain in April 2017 and then I will be concentrating full time on the Golden Globe Race. This is a chance in a lifetime that will test mind and body to the limit. The challenge is being alone for such a long period with no one to bounce off thoughts and ideas when the going gets tough."

Lionel Regnier (55) - France, has made 23 transatlantic crossings during the past in 30 years. The former maths teacher became a professional skipper in 1985, and completed three Mini 6.50 races before graduating to Class 40 race boats and competing in the Quebec-Saint-Malo, Solidaire du Chocolat, Les Sables-Horta, Transat Jacques Vabre and Route du Rhum races. Lionel is the second of five entrants to be awarded a Special Invitation place in the GGR and is looking to purchase a Rustler 36 yacht – the same type chosen by fellow Frenchmen Eric Loizeau, Philippe Péché and Jean-Luc van den Heede.<

2016 Golden Globe Race Skipper/Press Conference

Race founder Don McIntyre says: "With French skippers dominating the entry list, we thought it appropriate to hold the 2016 Golden Globe Conference during the Paris Boat Show between 3-11th December. The date and programme will be announced in July, along with the Final Notice of Race.

First skipper completes 6 hour proving trial under jury rig

As part of the safety rules for the GGR, skippers must sail their yacht under jury rig to prove that they have the knowledge and equipment onboard to perform this should they become dismasted during the Race.

In May, Australian Shane Freeman became the first skipper to attempt this, sailing his Tradewind 35 Muska around a triangular course over a 6 hour period. He produced an interesting video diary showing how it was done and ways he might improve on the system. The Australian reported: "A great exercise which now gives me at least half an idea of one of the possibilities for jury rigging in the event I lose a mast at some stage!"

The Race in numbers:

• The course: 30,000 miles with 4 rendezvous gates
• 30 entrants plus 7 on wait list.
• Competitors represent 15 countries (some entrants remain confidential until sponsorship is announced)
• America (4) Australia (3) Brazil (1) Britain (5) Estonia (1) France (7) Germany (1) Ireland (1) Italy (2) New Zealand (1) Palestine (1) Switzerland (1)
• Oldest competitor: Jean-Luc van den Heede (FRA) 71.
• Youngest competitors: aged 26: Roy Hubbard (USA) Susie Goodall (GBR) Neree Cornuz and Eduardo Raimondo (ITA)

• Rustler 36 (7)
• Belliure Endurance 35 (4)
• Ta Shing Babe 35 (3)
• Tradewind 35 (3)
• Suhaili Eric design replica (3)
• Nicholson 32 Mk 10 (2)
• Biscay 36 (2)
• OE 32 (1)
• Lello 34 (1)
• Westsail 32 (1)
• Gaia Benello 36 (1)

The Race will take around 300 days. For details go to www.goldengloberace.com

Background to the Golden Globe Race

Like the original Sunday Times event, the 2018 Golden Globe Race is very simple. Depart Falmouth, England on June 16th 2018 and sail solo, non-stop around the world via the five Great Capes, and return to Falmouth. Entrants are limited to use the same type of yachts and equipment that were available to Robin Knox-Johnston in the first Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. Read more here...