Golden Globe Race Returns

The Ultimate Solo Sailing Challenge in the form of the Golden Globe Race returns to Les Sables d’Olonne on September 6, 2026. Often called the “grandmother” of the Vendée Globe, the race celebrates traditional ocean sailing. It also recreates one of sailing’s greatest endurance challenges.

Competitors will race solo around the world without modern navigational technology or outside assistance. The fleet will start from the Vendée Globe Pier at 2:30pm.

Inspired by the 1968 Golden Globe Race

The modern race takes its inspiration from the original Sunday Times Golden Globe Race.

Guido Cantini Returns
Guido Cantini, who withdrew from the 2022 GGR due to personal issues, returns for the 2026 edition with his well-prepared Vancouver 34, Hannah of Cowes.Credit: Guido Cantini/Hannah Racing

That pioneering event began in England in 1968. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston won aboard his yacht, Suhaili. He became the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world. His achievement changed the history of ocean racing forever.

Another legendary sailor, Bernard Moitessier, also entered that first race. Moitessier led the fleet before making a remarkable decision. He abandoned the competition and continued sailing around the world. He wanted, as he explained, to “save his soul” His subsequent book, La Longue Route, became a classic among generations of sailors.

Don McIntyre Revives the Golden Globe

Fifty years later, sailing enthusiast Don McIntyre revived the Golden Globe Race. He retained the spirit and challenges of the original 1968 event. The first modern edition started on July 1, 2018. The second edition followed in 2022. The third edition starts from Les Sables d’Olonne on September 6, 2026. The French Atlantic city has become synonymous with major offshore sailing events.

The Golden Globe Race 2026 Fleet

Seventeen skippers will compete in the 2026 edition. They represent 11 different nationalities. The fleet includes four Americans and two British sailors. There are also competitors from Switzerland, Canada, Norway and Sweden. Italy has two entrants, while Israel, Türkiye, France and Ireland are represented.

Mathys Delmere at Cape Horn
Mathys Delmere navigated around Cape Horn aboard Marie Tabarly’s PEN DUICK VI during the third leg of the McIntyre Ocean Globe Race, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the inaugural 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race.Credit: Team Pen Duick VI / OGR2023

The race demands extraordinary endurance and traditional sailing skills. Competitors will sail without GPS, onboard electronics or weather routing. They will also receive no outside assistance during the race. Instead, navigators must rely on traditional methods and celestial navigation. The circumnavigation should take approximately seven to eight months.

Small Boats and Traditional Sailing

The Golden Globe Race deliberately restricts the boats competing. Entrants sail production boats designed before 1988. The permitted yachts include the Rustler 36 and Biscay 36. These boats measure between 9.75 and 10.97 metres. Their design reflects the type of yacht used during the original race. The rules therefore place seamanship and endurance ahead of technology.

One Woman Takes on the Challenge

Only one woman has entered the 2026 Golden Globe Race. Norwegian skipper Helga is 35 and holds a captain’s licence. She follows Kirsten Neuschäfer, who won the 2022 race.

Neuschäfer became the first woman to win a solo round-the-world sailing race.Her victory provided an important milestone for women in offshore sailing.

Generation Z Joins the Fleet

Louis Kerdelhué provides another interesting angle to this year’s race. At just 21, the French sailor becomes the first Generation Z competitor.

Despite his age, he has already committed himself to one of sailing’s toughest challenges. Kerdelhué bought the boat used by Michael Guggenberger during the 2022 race. His participation contrasts sharply with the extensive experience of many competitors. Most entrants have already accumulated substantial offshore sailing experience.

Two New Features for 2026

The organisers have introduced two significant features for this year’s race.

Virtual Golden Globe Race

Fairwinds will offer a virtual version of the Golden Globe Race. Players can take control of a virtual Rustler 36. They will navigate through the same real-time weather systems affecting the actual fleet. Players can also learn celestial navigation using a virtual sextant. Traditional navigation techniques form an important part of the virtual experience.

Live Views From the Fleet

Satellite technology will also bring selected boats closer to the public. The organisers will provide live footage through YouTube. Selected navigation and biometric information will accompany some broadcasts. However, the system aims to protect each skipper’s privacy.

Golden Globe Race Previous Winners

The modern Golden Globe Race has already produced some impressive performances.

1968 – Sir Robin Knox-Johnston: 313 days at sea.

2018 – Jean-Luc Van den Heede: Almost 212 days, setting the current race record.

2022 – Kirsten Neuschäfer: 235 days at sea.

Neuschäfer also became the first woman to win a solo round-the-world race.

The Race Has a Serious History of Incidents

The Golden Globe Race demands exceptional seamanship. However, previous editions have also demonstrated the dangers involved. During the 2022 race, Finnish skipper Tapio Lehtinen issued a distress call. His yacht sank within just 20 minutes. Two nearby competitors immediately diverted to assist him. Kirsten Neuschäfer reached Lehtinen first and rescued him from his life raft.

American skipper Ian Herbert Jones also faced severe problems during the 2022 race. A storm caused a dismasting, a leak and injuries. He eventually activated his distress beacon. A Taiwanese patrol vessel subsequently rescued him.

The 2018 race also recorded five separate dismasting incidents.

Events at Les Sables d’Olonne

Les Sables d’Olonne will host several events around the race start. Two pavilions will stand at the top of the Vendée Globe Ponton. Visitors can meet the skippers and discover traditional celestial navigation. Poster signing sessions will also take place.

Les Sables d’Olonne has become France’s spiritual home of offshore sailing. The city hosted the first Vendée Globe in 1989. Since then, international sailing races have helped shape its identity.

However, its maritime history stretches back much further. Whaling expeditions operated from the area during the 16th century. Later, local fishermen targeted cod, tuna and sardines. Today, Port Olona continues that maritime tradition through international sailing events.

A Spectacular Golden Globe Race Start

A major maritime parade will celebrate the 2026 race start. It will take place in the channel at Les Sables d’Olonne. The parade starts at 2pm on Sunday, September 6.

Historic sailing vessels will join the spectacle. They include Olonnois, Joshua and Suhaili. Bernard Moitessier famously sailed Joshua during the original Golden Globe Race. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston owns Suhaili, the 1968 winning yacht.

IMOCAs from the Vendée Globe will also join the parade. The Drakkar OLAF will complete the historic fleet. It represents a replica of Norway’s famous Gokstad Drakkar.

A Race That Celebrates Traditional Seamanship

The Golden Globe Race remains one of sailing’s ultimate tests. It strips away much of the technology that now dominates offshore racing. Instead, competitors depend on experience, judgement and traditional navigation. The result provides a fascinating contrast with modern IMOCA racing.

For spectators, the start promises a spectacular maritime celebration.

For the sailors, however, the real challenge begins once they leave Les Sables d’Olonne. They face thousands of miles alone at sea. Ultimately, the Golden Globe Race tests both physical endurance and mental resilience. It remains a race where survival can matter as much as speed.