Golden Globe Race officials meet French Federation de Voile to discuss Race Rules and Safety issues
by Golden Globe Race 14 Dec 2017 22:04 GMT
Robin Knox-Johnston aboard Suhaili at the finish of the 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race © Bill Rowntree / PPL
Golden Globe Race officials met the full board of the French Federation de Voile (FFV) to discuss iscuss all aspects of the organisation, operation and safety/security considerations for the Race, starting from Les Sables d’Olonne on July 1st 2018.
Race Chairman Don McIntyre reports: "Discussions were cordial and very productive. It was agreed at an early stage of the meeting that all participants in the room have sailing at heart and hold great respect for the spirit and essence of the original Golden Globe Race as the foundation for all current around the world solo sailing. The GGR organisers respect the FFV’s position and were happy for the opportunity to present our case that serious and professional consideration has been given to producing responsible safety, security and risk minimisation for this challenging adventure to recreate the original 1968 Golden Globe."
The FFV also explained that they must work within current legislative requirements of both the French Government and World Sailing. They suggest that the 2018 Golden Globe may be more of an adventure and maritime event than a true yacht race. In principle, the FFV is not against the event, understand that the 2018 Golden Globe Race is recreating history, and want to promote the heritage of solo sailing. The FFV will asses the new amendments to the Notice of Race that the GGR organisers presented at the meeting and will make a statement on their position early in the new year.
GGR skipper Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, a five-time solo circumnavigator who also attended the meeting was equally positive. "Discussions happened in a calm atmosphere of cordiality and I am delighted. The FFV understood that the GGR was first and foremost an adventure that will comply with International anti-collision rules but will not apply regulations specific to regattas. They agreed that we would leave 'In the footsteps of History'. The FFV will take a position either to be neutral or against the Race early in January, but without any desire to prevent us from starting the Race."
Background to the Golden Globe Race – Stepping back to the golden age of solo sailing
Like the original Sunday Times event back in 1968/9, the 2018 Golden Globe Race is very simple. Depart Les Sables’ d’Olonne, France on July 1st 2018 and sail solo, non-stop around the world, via the five Great Capes and return to Les Sables d’Olonne. Entrants are limited to use the same type of yachts and equipment that were available to Robin Knox-Johnston in that first race. That means sailing without modern technology or 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 and having a full-length keel with rudder attached to their trailing edge. These yachts are heavily built, strong and steady, similar in concept to 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 and steady 32ft double-ended ketch based on a William Atkins ERIC design. She is heavily built of teak and carried no computers, GPS, satellite phone nor water-maker, and Robin completed the challenge without the 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 was at one with the ocean, able to contemplate and absorb all that this epic voyage had to offer.
This anniversary edition of the Golden Globe Race is a celebration of the original event, the winner, his boat and that significant world-first achievement. Competitors in this race will be sailing simple boats using basic equipment to guarantee a satisfying and personal experience. The challenge is pure and very raw, placing the adventure ahead of winning at all costs. It is for ‘those who dare’, just as it was for Knox-Johnston. 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 and ham radios allow.
It is now possible to race a monohull solo around the world in under 80 days, but sailors entered in this race are expected to spend between 240 – 300 days at sea, challenging themselves and each other. The 2018 Golden Globe Race will be a fitting tribute to the first edition and its winner, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.
The GGR will be run under the auspices of the Royal Nomuka Yacht Club based in Tonga with management and press centre based in Les Sables d’Olonne. His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto’a Ulukalala of Tonga is Patron of the Race.
Safety
The yachts will be tracked by satellite 24/7, but competitors will not be able to interrogate this information unless an emergency arises and skippers can break open a sealed box containing a GPS and satellite phone. Doing this however, has consequences. By breaking the seal, competitors will be deemed to have retired from the Golden Globe Race, and will be relegated to the Gipsy Moth Class as if they had made a stop.
Don McIntyre, Golden Globe Race Founder says, “They will be navigating with sextant on paper charts, without electronic instruments or autopilots. They will hand–write their logs, cook with kerosene and determine the weather for themselves. Only occasionally will they talk to loved ones and the outside world when long-range high frequency and ham radios allow”.
Don is an inveterate sailor and recognised as one of Australia’s greatest explorers. Passionate about all forms of adventure and inspiring others, his desire is to recreate the Golden Age of solo sailing. Don finished 2nd in class in the 1990-91 BOC Challenge solo around the world yacht race. In 2010, he led the 4-man Talisker Bounty Boat challenge to re-enact the Mutiny on the Bounty voyage from Tonga to West Timor, in a similar boat and with same limited supplies available to Captain Bligh 221 years before.