366 days before the return of the round-the-world ocean Golden Globe Race to Les Sables-d’Olonne
26 skippers from 11 countries confirm their entry in the third edition of the Golden Globe Race confirmed to date for the start on 4th September 2022
The third edition of the round-the-world yacht Golden Globe Race will set off from Les Sables-d’Olonne on 4th September 2022. The announcement was made at a press conference on Thursday morning, with 26 skippers of 11 different nationalities already set to participate. The race is the only non-stop round-the-world yacht race without technical assistance and without GPS, using the same equipment as the first race in 1968.
It is a dream setting, an open-air stadium facing the sea which has been the starting and finishing point for so many adventures of men and women of the sea. With its legendary channel that the greatest sailors have already used, Les Sables-d’Olonne’s beautiful setting is commensurate with the incredible challenge of taking to the open waters and sailing on all the seas of the globe. The Vendée town has become the world capital of solo ocean racing, hosting many iconic races: The Vendée Globe, the last edition of which, last winter, was full of great moments. The Mini-Transat, whose start on 26th September is full of promise for many up-and-coming skippers. And then there is the Golden Globe Race, the next edition of which will start on 4th September 2022.
A legendary race
The announcement was made this Thursday morning during a press conference at the École des pêches. Making the trip for such an occasion, the conference saw notable figures alongside each other including Yannick Moreau, Mayor of Les Sables-d’Olonne and President of the Agglomeration, Don McIntyre, organiser of the Golden Globe Race, Alain Leboeuf, President of the Vendée Department, and Isabelle Leroy, Vice-President of the Pays-de-la-Loire Region.
In 2018, the return of the Golden Globe Race, which started in Les Sables-d’Olonne, marked the 50th anniversary of this iconic race. It was in 1968 and 1969 that the Golden Globe Challenge took place, the first solo, non-stop, round-the-world race in history. Robin Knox-Johnston’s victory and Bernard Moitessier’s incredible adventure inspired generations of sailors, convinced that the sea could be an incredible playground for dreams and self-sacrifice.
After the Vendée Globe and the Mini Transat, the skippers of the Golden Globe Race will set off on a round the world race in which human values and surpassing oneself are essential in order to face the elements and reach the end of the adventure.
With one year to go before the start, Les Sables d’Olonne is preparing with passion for this great ocean race.
