ADVENTURE

A NEW

GENERATION

OF GREATS

In just a few months, Robin Knox-Johnston will fire a canon to

signal the start of the Golden Globe Race 2018. Katy Stickland

finds out what the skippers will be up against

Words Katy Stickland

The skippers can only

use similar equipment

to that which was on

board Robin Knox-

Johnston’s Suhaili

B

ack in 1968, nine men accepted the challenge to sail around

the world alone non-stop – the first yacht race of its kind.

Only one – Robin Knox-Johnston – crossed the finish line

of the 1968/69 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race whilst the

others were either forced to retire, rescued after sinking or,

in the infamous case of Donald Crowhurst, believed to have

committed suicide.

Knox-Johnston’s pioneering voyage went on to inspire

generations of sailors who would later compete in the likes

of the Vendée Globe. Now, 50 years later, 19 men and one

woman will attempt the Golden Globe Race again, following

the same rules as the original competitors. All electronics

are banned and they can only use traditional instruments

to navigate their pre-1988 production yachts, which would

be familiar to the average cruising sailor, through some of

the world’s toughest oceans.

Even their music collection

is limited to cassette tapes,

and photos can only be

taken on 35mm film. They

are going without GPS,

chartplotters, weather

routing and autopilots.

The prize – to cross the

finish line at Les Sables

d’Olonne in France and

claim the Golden Globe

Perpetual Trophy for the

fastest time and, subject

to sponsorship, a share of

the €75,000 prize money.

ADVENTURE