Golden Globe Race competitor Susie Goodall introduces 'DHL Starlight' at the London Boat Show
by DHL Susie Goodall Racing Partnership 13 Jan 2018 20:06 GMT
10 January 2018
Susie Goodall and Ken Allen christen ‘DHL Starlight' at the 2018 London Boat Show © DHL / Maverick
Susie Goodall has introduced her newly refurbished boat ahead of her participation in the historic Golden Globe Race 2018. 'DHL Starlight' – named in a global competition organized by DHL, the Official Logistics Partner of Susie Goodall Racing – was brought to the ExCeL exhibition center in the UK capital to be officially launched at the London Boat Show. DHL Express has provided logistics support throughout the refurbishment process, bringing items such as solar panels and watertight doors from around the world to Falmouth, Cornwall. Susie Goodall is one of the youngest skippers, and the only female, to be competing in the Golden Globe Race, which will see thirty sailors embark on a 48,000 km non- stop circumnavigation of the world's oceans without any outside assistance.
"90,000 DHL Express employees in over 220 countries and territories worldwide are taking inspiration from Susie and her incredible determination to succeed," said Ken Allen, CEO, DHL Express. "She has already motivated our employees by sharing her story and insights into the values that drive her at workshops and conferences for our team around the world. We also had a great response to a competition for customers and employees to name the boat that Susie will guide unaided around the world. As a result, the winning name of DHL Starlight will ensure that we retain a connection with her throughout her journey, day and night, In 1969, DHL was founded and man landed on the moon. By 2019, as the Golden Globe Race comes to an end, we look forward to helping this inspirational young woman to reach for the stars."
Susie Goodall said: "Preparation is crucial in sailing, and today marks another important milestone in my preparation for the Golden Globe Race. DHL Starlight has undergone extensive refurbishment over five months, including making it watertight and ready for the uncompromising winds and waves of the Southern Ocean, with new skin fittings, a new engine, a collision bulkhead and another watertight bulkhead. Having DHL Express – experts in the preparation and execution of complex transportation moves to and from virtually any land location in the world – on board as logistics partners gives me all the support and peace of mind I need to focus on the mission that lies ahead at sea."
The 2018 Golden Globe Race will recreate the historic 1968/69 Sunday Times Golden Globe Yacht Race, in which Sir Robin Knox-Johnston completed the first solo non-stop circumnavigation of the world. Fifty years on, the participants will be expected to sail similar yachts and equipment to what was available in the same race. They will set sail from Les Sables d'Olonne, France on July 1, 2018 and traverse the five Great Capes without any modern technology or satellite-based navigation aids before returning to Les Sables d'Olonne again in 2019.