Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard Insuremy Q4

Vendee Globe...Golding will be next to finish

by Susan Preston Davis on 26 Feb 2001
In his book 'No Law, No God' chronicling his record breaking single handed voyage around the world in 1993/94, Mike Golding called the Southern Ocean 'The ocean I love to hate'. Ironically this time it is the Atlantic Ocean which is proving to be Golding's bete noir - his toughest challenge on the Vendée Globe. Back in '94 Golding, after 100 days, still had the luxury of sufficient supplies of fuel, food and energy. This time round all of these are sorely depleted. Reflecting on his problems the ever reticent Golding, who now has less than 750 miles to go, commented 'it might as well be 7,500'

This morning at the Radio Chat, his team, his mother, sister and young nephews, together with his fiancee - to whom he proposed the day the race started - crowded around speakers in the Vendée Globe Race Village to hear Golding's latest news from on board Team Group 4.

Today at 09:00 hours Golding was averaging 10 knots in 27 knots of breeze and he is now some 36 hours from Cape Finisterre - effectively the final 'corner' before the home straight. By then the forecast is for much stronger wind which should give Golding a fast ride home. If Golding crosses the line before 15:48:49 GMT on Wednesday 28th February he will have beaten Marc Thiercelin's time and be the 4th fastest around the world in this edition of the Vendée Globe.

THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN

Latest Rankings:

1 PRB (Desjoyeaux) Finished: 10 February 2008hrs 32 sec
2 Kingfisher (MacArthur) Finished: 11 February 2036hrs 40 sec
3 Sill Matines & La Potagère (Jourdain) Finished: 13 February 1713hrs 33 sec
4 Active Wear (Thiercelin) Finished: 20 February 1248hrs 49sec
5 Union Bancaire Privée (Wavre) Finished: 22 February 1858hrs 12sec
6 Sodebo Savourons la Vie (Coville) Finished: 22 February 2335hrs 0sec
7 Team Group 4 (Golding) On Feb, 25 at 09:01 UT - 734 miles to finish
8 Voila.fr (Gallay) On Feb, 25 at 09:00 UT - 1006 miles to finish
9 EBP EspritPME Gartmore (Hall) On Feb, 25 at 09:00 UT - 1040 miles to finish
10 Nord Pas de Calais - Chocolats du Monde (Seeten) On Feb, 25 at 09:00 UT - 1521 miles to finish
11 VM Matériaux (Carpentier) On Feb, 25 at 09:00 UT - 1901 miles to finish
12 Aquarelle.com (Bianchetti) On Feb, 25 at 08:00 UT - 2632 miles to finish
13 Aquitaine Innovations (Parlier) On Feb, 25 at 07:00 UT - 3528 miles to finish
14 DDP - 60ieme Sud (Munduteguy) On Feb, 24 at 22:00 UT - 4732 miles to finish
15 Wind Telecommunicazioni (de Gregorio) On Feb, 25 at 09:00 UT - 5724 miles to finish

Related Articles

A new partnership of Havens
As Haven Knox-Johnston and Yacht Havens agree collaboration Working closely together, Haven Knox-Johnston and Yacht Havens will be providing berth holders and trade tenants across the nine Yacht Havens' marinas with boat and marine trade insurance offerings.
Posted today at 10:56 am
Festival of Sails 2026 concludes
With the Victory Bash Presentation Party at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club Festival of Sails 2026 has drawn to a close following the Victory Bash Presentation Party at the Royal Geelong YC, where champions were celebrated, trophies awarded, and the sailing community came together to mark the end of an outstanding edition.
Posted today at 10:14 am
The Famous Project CIC expected Monday
Arrival at the finish line between 1pm and 4pm The Famous Project CIC's voyage around the world is expected conclude tomorrow, Monday, between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. local French time, when the Maxi Trimaran IDEC SPORT crosses the finish line in Ushant.
Posted on 25 Jan
Your Sunsail Free Day is calling
Rush Hour, redefined. Sail 7 days, pay for 6 in the Med. Rush hour looks very different on the water. Swap dull drives for adventures together and sail for seven days while only paying for six.
Posted on 25 Jan
RORC Transatlantic Race: Fleet update
The shape of the IRC fleet results are now almost decided As the 2026 RORC Transatlantic Race enters its final phase, the shape of the IRC fleet results are now almost decided with a diverse fleet of monohulls completing the crossing and others closing in on the finish in Antigua.
Posted on 25 Jan
4 new roles now open at Rooster
Continued investment in product innovation, digital growth, and on-the-water presence We're excited to share that Rooster is growing, and are currently recruiting for four new roles to join their team this season.
Posted on 25 Jan
Melges 24 North American Championship day 2
Points tight, tension higher: the Championship heads to decisive Sunday Day Two of racing at the 2025 Melges 24 North American Championship, held in conjunction with Bacardi Winter Series Event No. 1, delivered exactly what the fleet anticipated from a championship "moving day".
Posted on 25 Jan
President's Trophy Season Pointscore Race 16
Australian 18ft skiff champion Balmain continued their winning form The newly-crowned Australian 18ft skiff champion Balmain team of Henry Larkings, Tom Grimes and Lachlan Pryor continued the winning form from last weekend when they produced an awesome performance in a 10-14-knot North East breeze.
Posted on 25 Jan
Breeze builds as Festival of Sails hits stride
Racing filling Corio Bay with action and colour Festival of Sails continued on Sunday 25 January with racing filling Corio Bay with action and colour. Several divisions completed their series' today, with tight results reflecting the staunch competition on the water.
Posted on 25 Jan
Sodebo Ultim 3 smashes Jules Verne Trophy Record
New reference time of 40 days, 10 hours, and 45 minutes and 50 seconds By crossing the finish line between Ushant and Lizard Point after 40 days, 10 hours, and 45 minutes and 50 seconds at sea, Sodebo Ultim 3 became the fastest boat to sail around the world.
Posted on 25 Jan