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I Have a Dream
Circumnavigate the globe on a sailboat, alone, non stop. A challenge that man started 50 years ago, when the first around the world sailing regatta, the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, was staged. Nine solo sailors left England in summer of 1968 and only one finished: returning to Falmouth (England) on April 22nd, 1969 (after 313 days from departure), Englishman Robin Knox-Johnston, aboard Suhaili, became the first man in history to complete a single-handed non stop circumnavigation of the globe. Seven competitors dropped out, while Frenchman Bernard Moitissier, on Joshua, abandoned the race but completed the circumnavigation on another route.
Despite the technological evolution of boats and navigation techniques in the last half century, just under 250 people have completed a solo non-stop sailing world tour.
In 50 years, sailing around the world turned into a professional sport activity (in 2017 French Francois Gabart circumnavigated the globe in 42 days, 271 days less than Sir Knox-Johnston), but for many sailing enthusiasts it represents the dream of a lifetime. Everyday sailors dream to sail around the world inspired by Knox-Johnston and Moitissier.
Fifty years after the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, a replica of the epic regatta has been organized. Starting from Les Sables d’Olonne (France) on July 1st, 2018, with entrants limited to sail on similar yachts and equipment to what was available in that first race. A unique opportunity for those who regretted not to live in the years when it was possible to partecipate to a regatta around the world with a naive spirit.
“I think this Golden Globe Race is a wonderful idea. Why dream of it and never do it”, said Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who is 79 today.
Eighteen sailors started the Golden Globe Race 2018. After six months, only five remained in the race and still no one reached the finish line. Those who started the circumnavigation but did not complete it, like Italian Francesco Cappelletti, continue to dream.
Despite the technological evolution of boats and navigation techniques in the last half century, just under 250 people have completed a solo non-stop sailing world tour.
In 50 years, sailing around the world turned into a professional sport activity (in 2017 French Francois Gabart circumnavigated the globe in 42 days, 271 days less than Sir Knox-Johnston), but for many sailing enthusiasts it represents the dream of a lifetime. Everyday sailors dream to sail around the world inspired by Knox-Johnston and Moitissier.
Fifty years after the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, a replica of the epic regatta has been organized. Starting from Les Sables d’Olonne (France) on July 1st, 2018, with entrants limited to sail on similar yachts and equipment to what was available in that first race. A unique opportunity for those who regretted not to live in the years when it was possible to partecipate to a regatta around the world with a naive spirit.
“I think this Golden Globe Race is a wonderful idea. Why dream of it and never do it”, said Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who is 79 today.
Eighteen sailors started the Golden Globe Race 2018. After six months, only five remained in the race and still no one reached the finish line. Those who started the circumnavigation but did not complete it, like Italian Francesco Cappelletti, continue to dream.
