Golden Globe Race skipper Susie Goodall rigged by Marlow Doublebraid
by Emma Donovan, Marlow Ropes 29 Jun 2018 12:05 BST
Susie Goodall prepares for the Golden Globe Race © Sally Golden
As the Golden Globe Race begins, Marlow Ropes caught up with their supported skipper Susie Goodall as she prepared to set sail, to see how she's rigging her boat and getting acquainted with Marlow's Doublebraid lines.
"I have Marlow Doublebraid for all my sheets and halyards on board. As well as the low stretch core, having a tough cover makes wear and tear easier to deal with which is essential on a voyage the length of the GGR – having Doublebraid will prolong the life of all my ropes. My halyards and sheets are also all colour coordinated for each sail to keep it simple and much easier when trying to navigate the boat in the dark." Susie Goodall
The Golden Globe Race is a sailing race like no other, 18 sailors will race 30,000 miles around the globe non-stop, alone and with no outside assistance. It is an incredible feat of endurance and Marlow are delighted to be supporting Susie as the youngest skipper and the only female sailor to compete.
This edition of the Race is to celebrate Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's historic 1968/9 world first solo non-stop circumnavigation in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Yacht Race. The sailors will be departing from 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. The entrants are limited to sailing similar yachts and equipment to what was available to Sir Robin in that first race which means sailing without modern technology or the benefit of satellite based navigation aids.
Susie Goodall's Rustler 36 boat, 'Starlight', has been entirely rigged by Marlow using Doublebraid - using the same materials as those used by the winner of the first Golden Globe Race, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, in 1968.
Paul Honess, Leisure Marine Sales Director, of Marlow Ropes said: "Marlow Ropes has been used many, many times on boats circumnavigating the globe, including the current Clipper Round the World Race, The Vendee Globe, Velux 5 Oceans and previous editions of the Volvo Ocean Race so has a pedigree in this area. Circumnavigating the globe solo and non-stop using the same equipment that was available in 1968 is an immense challenge and we wish Susie a safe and speedy voyage."
Throughout the duration of the Golden Globe Yacht Race Marlow will be tracking Susie's progress and cheering her on for a safe and successful Race.