The 2018 Golden Globe Race

[jack_sparrow]

Slats a subscriber to the keep going quickly club (as Heede). Didn't even carry a drogue.

 

[bucc5062]

MS and VDH talking spontaneously is fantastic.

MS said his previous circumnavigation was in a 51ft ketch. He went to 55 south (the real SO  ) and just went straight. No problems. 

As I said way back when...Suhali had not gone south of 40 (45?) and it looks like Don just picked that as a line in the sand.  I get ice zones with roadsters like the VG and VOR.  Crunch at 20+ knots would not be good, but this was not an ice line thing...not at snail pace.  That was when I felt this race go south (pun intended).  

 

[Fiji Bitter]

Yes indeed, that certainly was a good one-on-one, with Don staying out of it. They are the 2 heroes of the Globe Show! Heartfield congrats to both, unconditionally !

Never saw Mark talk that much before, but hey, never saw him after 7 months at sea either. Happy Snappies, both of them, and well deserved too.

 

[Rafael]

Slats had serious problems with a storm in beggining until fixed steering...

Rowed for a few days overall (New Zeland and doldrums) and has food for other 100 days (!)

He will write a book w/on board diary including previous circunnavigation and Atlantic row crossing

He had a magic perfect trimed moment with waves and wind passing Horn at 16knts (!)

 

[LeoV]

Mark is a construction builder with amazing stamina and a hang for adventure, born an Australia, became a kickbokser, sailed to Europe, rowed the ocean, he packs his life with more stuff then most. No shame to loose from VDH.

 

[Fiji Bitter]

Mark is a construction builder with amazing stamina and a hang for adventure, born an Australia, became a kickbokser, sailed to Europe, rowed the ocean, he packs his life with more stuff then most. No shame to loose from VDH.

Mark is a house builder/contractor, and a qualified carpenter as well. That's why he could fix his self steering so well with bits of wood from the boat.

And don't forget, he sailed the Cornelia something like 3 times round the world, including one non-stop circle.

A very humble person too, and definitely a "character".

He will need a lot more high end racing experience, but he could then do very well in the Vendee Globe. May be you could help him with that, Leo ?

 

[LeoV]

No, my knowledge ended with Minis though I now a bit about Imoca, but VDH knows 99.9 % more and his adress book is full of knowledgeable contacts.

 

[Fiji Bitter]

No, my knowledge ended with Minis though I now a bit about Imoca, but VDH knows 99.9 % more and his adress book is full of knowledgeable contacts.

You are suddenly very modest, but true that VDH knows it all. He might inspire Mark and should take him to Lorient and show him around. Not sure Mark would like that scene though. He would feel more at home in Scheveningen, and could stili continue to run his contractor business. Or he could switch to boatbuilding, he would board-sand a hull in a day, on his own...

 

[LeoV]

he would board-sand a hull in a day, on his own...

I did that in two days, Open 50,  on a stand, working above your head, you should not do that, period
Not modest, but I got an invitation to sail an older Imoca this summer, possible VG entrant. So still a tiny bit in the loop.

If you know Mark, say him to hook op with Kleinjans in Belgium, same type of guy with wealth of experience in C40 etc.

PS at one buffet I stole VDH oysters from his plate, I really did not know who he was, was told me later...

 

[Jud - s/v Sputnik]

“Suhaili” close to rounding the Horn, quite “ahead” of crawling Tapio...who will win?

 

[Texcom]

Slats seems calmed compared to his comments on the radio earlier, absences on the ggr text messages and late satellite calls. I guess the RO promised Susies hand, half of the profit and keep certain distance. I want to see his opinion after he gets his money. He acts like a gentleman compared to the bothersome guy who was on the radio.

https://www.facebook.com/goldengloberace/videos/950462631826800/ GGR Mark Slats press conference
 33:00 Slats: "Finisterre Traffic Control gave my position"
 Check the RO(quiet guy on the left). Oh no! Now I need to move him again to Chichester class and by some reason(he is bigger and stronger) back to the ggr.

 

[Jud - s/v Sputnik]

Some solo nonstop RTW 4kn shitbox times, for comparison - I was just wondering how other small slow boats that have done solo nonstop RTW’s have fared in terms of time.

RKJ - wood double ender 32’- 1968-1969:  313 days

Webb Chiles - Ericson 37 - 1975-76: sorry, dude, doesn’t count: made two stops 

Peter Freeman - Home built ferro Hartley 32’ - 1984-85:  236 days 

Fast forward to the 21st century:

Jerome Rand - Westsail 32 - Oct 3, 2017 - June 30, 2018 - nearly 9 months (~270 days): (https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2018/07/02/go-dream-life/

VDH in current Golden Globe - 212 days, I think.

What really stands out for me is the 1984-85 small ferro boat time (236 days) - good sailor on a small 4knsb - incredibly, somewhat close in time to current GGR top two (with slightly longer boats) in an organized race/event with 24/7 comms and support - and certainly faster than the remainder of the GGR fleet currently struggling north (or just trying to approach the Horn) !

(Various earlier RTW times from here:  https://ipfs.io/ipfs/QmXoypizjW3WknFiJnKLwHCnL72vedxjQkDDP1mXWo6uco/wiki/Around_the_world_sailing_record.html )

 

[jack_sparrow]

(Various earlier RTW times from here:  https://ipfs.io/ipfs/QmXoypizjW3WknFiJnKLwHCnL72vedxjQkDDP1mXWo6uco/wiki/Around_the_world_sailing_record.html )

Make sure when you grab shit boxes not in a end to end race compare apples with apples on distances where their RTW numbers don't include the south/north Atlantic run. 

 

[Jud - s/v Sputnik]

Make sure when you grab shit boxes not in a end to end race compare apples with apples on distances where their RTW numbers don't include the south/north Atlantic run. 

Right...

So, the 1984-5 one I referenced is shorter in terms of distance, since it’s Victoria, BC-Victoria, BC (west coast Canada).  Just realizing now that Tony Gooch’s (from same port) was 24,300 miles (http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/solosailingcircumnavigation/SoloCircumnavigators/TonyGooch/TonyGooch.htm) vs. say, RKJ’s Europe-Europe at about 30,000 (doesn’t give an exact distance here https://www.robinknox-johnston.co.uk/) and Jerome Rand’s (US East Coast) at 29,800 (https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2018/07/02/go-dream-life/ ).

I hadn’t realized the route from west coast of North America was that much shorter!

 

[jack_sparrow]

Interview with McBoatyHead courtesy of Tip & Shaft. I didn't have a bucket handy to do translation with. Someone here might be better equipped.

DON MCINTYRE : "NOUS ESPÉRONS 30 BATEAUX AU DÉPART EN 2022"
 
Fondateur de la Golden Globe Race qu’il a portée à bout de bras, Don McIntyre est forcément un organisateur heureux après les arrivées du vainqueur Jean-Luc Van den Heede mardi (en près de 212 jours) et du Néerlandais Mark Slats vendredi (214 jours et 12 heures), même si le taux d’abandon de la première édition de cette course a été important (12 sur 18 à ce jour). Pour Tip & Shaft, l’Australien dresse un premier bilan et évoque la prochaine édition, en 2022.
 
L’arrivée de VDH ressemblait à celle d’un Vendée Globe, est-ce conforme à la vision que vous vous faisiez de votre course ?
Ça a été deux fois plus fort que ce dont nous avions rêvé, avec des milliers et des milliers de personnes venus l’accueillir et des centaines de bateaux sur l’eau. Jean-Luc a été un grand ambassadeur de la course, son exploit est incroyable. Au départ, les gens disaient : « Mais les bateaux vont disparaître à l’horizon et on ne les reverra plus » ; le fait est que la réalité a été différente avec une combinaison de tweets, d’appels téléphoniques et de suivi sur la carto qui ont permis de rendre la course vivante en permanence.  

Que pensez-vous des performances de Jean Luc Van Den Heede et Mark Slats ? 

Mark Slats est un aventurier incroyable, d’une motivation folle, c’est un grand homme qui dégage une grosse énergie. Cela a été fantastique de le voir revenir sur Jean-Luc. Et Jean-Luc a lui aussi été exceptionnel, il a réussi à rester dans la course et à tenir bon. Avec Jean-Luc, nous sommes copains depuis 32 ans : après l’arrivée, je me suis assis à côté de lui et de Robin (Knox Johnston) et nous avons parlé pendant une heure, c’était formidable. Quel personnage ! J’ai un immense respect pour lui, quelle histoire !

Il y a tout de même eu beaucoup d’abandons, quel est votre sentiment à ce propos ?
J’ai été surpris qu’il y en ait eu autant, je dois reconnaître qu’il y a moins de coureurs qui finissent que je ne le pensais, je m'attendais à la moitié à l'arrivée [ils ne sont plus qu'un tiers en course, NDLR]. Il n’y a jamais eu d’événement de ce genre depuis 1968, donc personne ne pouvait vraiment en prédire l’issue. La réussite est importante et certains n’en ont pas eu. Je ne veux cependant pas me cacher derrière ce terme, mais certains mâts ont été construits par ce qui se fait de mieux au monde et en connaissance de ce qu’ils allaient affronter, les bateaux étaient bien préparés, les marins de très bon niveau, et, malgré ça, ces mâts n’ont pas tenu. Mais je pense que ce sera une autre histoire en 2022, tous ceux qui participeront dans quatre ans auront beaucoup appris de cette édition.

Que prévoyez-vous de changer pour faire en sorte que plus de bateaux terminent en 2022 ?
Nous allons déjà ajouter un parcours de qualification plus long. Il était de 1 000 milles cette fois-ci, nous le monterons à 2 000 sans arrêt et il faudra que ce soit sur le même bateau avec lequel les participants disputeront la GGR. Nous ferons également davantage de recommandations. Nous ne voulons pas commencer à tout réglementer ou aboutir à une flotte monotype, mais nous devrons donner plus de conseils, notamment sur les mâts.

Quel serait le nombre idéal de bateaux au départ ?
J’aime bien l’idée d’en avoir 20 à suivre, mais nous espérons en avoir 30 au départ. Pour l’instant, il y a deux classes pour 2022, la Suhali composée des bateaux qui ont couru sur cette édition et pour laquelle, il y a 20 places et 5 invitations, et la Joshua, composée de bateaux monotypes, je serais content qu’il y en ait 5 au départ, même si ce sera plutôt 3 ou 4. Je suis assez confiant, je pense que l'événement fera plus que le plein et qu’il y aura une liste d’attente.

Que pensez-vous des critiques que vous avez reçues sur cette course et notamment du manque de soutien de la Fédération Française de Volie ?
C’est très simple : une certaine organisation en France a suggéré que la Golden Globe Race était pleine de vieux rêveurs. Le fait est que nous avons notre place. Et nous avons fait tout ce que nous pouvions pour faire en sorte que cette course soit la plus sûre possible. Et s’il n’y avait eu aucun risque, personne ne se serait inscrit. Ensuite, nous n’avons jusqu'à aujourd’hui reçu absolument aucune critique de la part des autorités maritimes, quel que soit l’endroit dans le monde. Les autorités maritimes françaises nous ont même dit avant le départ que notre avis de course était le meilleur qu’elles aient jamais vu en France pour un événement nautique.

Comment l’événement se porte-t-il financièrement ?
M’occuper de cette course m’a sans doute coûté la moitié de ce que je possède. La bonne chose, c’est que l'agglomération des Sables d’Olonne a été fantastique, au-delà de ce que je pensais. Nous avons signé un accord avant le départ qui a permis de recevoir le soutien d’un nombre substantiel de partenaires, ils ont fait beaucoup pour nous. Ils ont probablement contribué à plus de la moitié du budget, puisque, à côté, nous n’avions levé que 35 000 euros de sponsoring, c’est tout. Le reste, c’est Jane [son épouse, NDLR] et moi. Si nous ne prenons pas en compte le soutien de l’agglomération, notre budget total pour organiser la course est de 600 000 euros, peut-être même un peu moins. Maintenant, nous espérons que l’événement soit un succès et qu’en 2022, nous obtiendrons un soutien adéquat. Les premières indications sont bonnes, parce que nous avons tout mis en place pour que ce soit le cas et les choses ont changé : les gens connaissent la course, ils ont pu voir l’équipe de management et le travail qu’elle a fait avec un petit budget.

L’avenir de la Golden Globe Race s’annonce donc brillant ?
Ce serait fantastique si cela durait éternellement et je pense que ce sera le cas. Je ne peux pas imaginer que les gens vont s’ennuyer avec la Golden Globe Race. Ce n’est pas une histoire de bateaux au contact avec les mêmes logiciels de routage, allant à fond avec des paquets de mer qui s’écrasent partout et tout le temps. C’est une histoire de vraies personnes faisant un incroyable voyage autour du monde qui tient tout le monde en haleine. J’espère en revanche que nous aurons plus de femmes la prochaine fois. Susie Goodall a été formidable, elle nous a manqué, mais elle reviendra, j’en suis sûr. D’ailleurs, bon nombre de participants de cette édition vont revenir.

Avez-vous d’ores et déjà un accord avec Les Sables d’Olonne pour 2022 ?
Lors de la conférence de presse de Jean-Luc, nous avons déclaré que nous voulions revenir aux Sables d’Olonne et nous pouvons dire officiellement que nous sommes en discussion pour travailler de nouveau avec eux. Les Sables d’Olonne est le centre de l’univers de la course en solitaire. Et c’est formidable pour Les Sables d’Olonne d’avoir deux tours du monde en solitaire tous les deux ans.

Aimeriez-vous que d’autres anciens skippers du Vendée Globe participent à la course ?
Je ne sais pas. Nombre d'entre eux ont suivi et commenté la course, et l’ont appréciée. Maintenant, elle est longue, elle prend sept ou huit mois, et je pense que la majorité de ces skippers n’aimeraient pas ça. Il y a plus de solitude que sur un Vendée Globe, c’est psychologiquement plus engageant. Tu ne peux pas prendre ton téléphone et appeler tes copains toutes les cinq minutes. Tu te retrouves face à toi-même, c’est la grande différence. Mais je ne serais pas surpris de voir des jeunes et des futurs skippers du Vendée Globe. Le système français avec la Mini, le Figaro et autres est très bien, mais peut-être que d’autres verront la Golden Globe Race comme un tremplin différent. Avec un gros budget de Mini-Transat, vous pouvez faire la Golden Globe Race, avec moins de 120 000 euros, c’est possible, donc qui sait ? Les inscriptions sont ouvertes à partir de 18 ans, peut-être que le prochain vainqueur aura 21 ans ou moins.

 

[nirikki]

Google translate version, at least they are going to make people actually see if they like single-handing on small boats now.

DON MCINTYRE: "WE HOPE 30 BOATS IN 2022"
 
The founder of the Golden Globe Race, Don McIntyre is bound to be a happy organizer after the victories of winner Jean-Luc Van den Heede on Tuesday (in almost 212 days) and Dutchman Mark Slats on Friday (214). days and 12 hours), although the dropout rate of the first edition of this race was significant (12 out of 18 so far). For Tip & Shaft, the Australian makes an initial assessment and evokes the next edition, in 2022.
 
The arrival of VDH resembled that of a Vendée Globe, is it consistent with the vision that you made of your race?
It was twice as strong as we had dreamed, with thousands and thousands of people coming to welcome him and hundreds of boats on the water. Jean-Luc was a great ambassador of the race, his feat is incredible. At first, people said, "But the boats will disappear on the horizon and we will not see them again"; the fact is that the reality was different with a combination of tweets, phone calls and follow-up on the carto that made the race alive all the time.

What do you think of Jean Luc Van Den Heede and Mark Slats performances?
Mark Slats is an amazing adventurer, madly motivated, a great man with a lot of energy. It was fantastic to see him come back to Jean-Luc. And Jean-Luc was also exceptional, he managed to stay in the race and hold on. With Jean-Luc, we are friends for 32 years: after the arrival, I sat next to him and Robin (Knox Johnston) and we talked for an hour, it was great. What character! I have immense respect for him, what a story!

There were still many dropouts, what is your feeling about this?
I was surprised that there were so many, I must admit that there are fewer runners that end than I thought, I expected half at the finish [they are just 'a third in the race, Editor's note]. There has never been an event of this kind since 1968, so no one could really predict the outcome. Success is important and some have not. However, I do not want to hide behind this term, but some masts were built by the best in the world and knowing what they would face, the boats were well prepared, the sailors of a very good level, and despite that, these masts did not hold. But I think it will be another story in 2022, all those who will participate in four years will have learned a lot from this edition.

What are you planning to change to make more boats complete in 2022?
We will already add a longer qualifying course. It was 1,000 miles this time, we will go up to 2,000 and it will have to be on the same boat with which the participants will compete for the GGR. We will also make more recommendations. We do not want to start regulating everything or a one-design fleet, but we will have to give more advice, especially on the masts.

What would be the ideal number of boats at the start?
I like the idea of having 20 to follow, but we hope to have 30 at the start. For the moment, there are two classes for 2022, the Suhali made up of the boats that ran on this edition and for which, there are 20 places and 5 invitations, and the Joshua, composed of one-design boats, I would be happy that There are 5 at the start, even if it will be 3 or 4. I'm pretty confident, I think the event will be more than full and there will be a waiting list.

What do you think of the criticism that you received on this race and in particular the lack of support from the French Federation of Volie?
It's very simple: some organization in France suggested that the Golden Globe Race was full of old dreamers. The fact is that we have our place. And we did everything we could to make sure this race was as safe as possible. And if there was no risk, no one would have registered. After that, we have received absolutely no criticism from the maritime authorities, anywhere in the world. The French maritime authorities even told us before departure that our race announcement was the best they have ever seen in France for a nautical event.

How is the event going financially?
Taking care of this race probably cost me half of what I have. The good thing is that the agglomeration of Sables d'Olonne was fantastic, beyond what I thought. We signed an agreement before the departure which allowed to receive the support of a substantial number of partners, they did a lot for us. They probably contributed to more than half of the budget, since next we had raised only 35,000 euros of sponsorship, that's all. The rest is Jane [his wife, Ed] and me. If we do not take into account the support of the agglomeration, our total budget to organize the race is 600,000 euros, maybe even a little less. Now, we hope the event is a success and that in 2022 we will get adequate support. The first indications are good, because we have everything in place to make this happen and things have changed: people know the race, they have seen the management team and the work they have done with them. a small budget.

The future of the Golden Globe Race looks bright?
It would be fantastic if it lasted forever and I think it will be. I can not imagine that people will get bored with the Golden Globe Race. It's not a story of boats in contact with the same routing software, going deep with packets of sea that crash everywhere and all the time. It's a story of real people making an incredible journey around the world that keeps everyone in suspense. I hope that we will have more women next time. Susie Goodall was great, we missed her, but she will come back, I'm sure. In fact, many of the participants in this edition will come back.

Do you already have an agreement with Les Sables d'Olonne for 2022?
At Jean-Luc's press conference, we stated that we wanted to return to Les Sables d'Olonne and we can officially say that we are in discussion to work with them again. Les Sables d'Olonne is the center of the world of solo racing. And it's great for Les Sables d'Olonne to have two solo world tours every two years.

Would you like other former Vendée Globe skippers to participate in the race?
I do not know. Many of them followed and commented on the race, and appreciated it. Now it is long, it takes seven or eight months, and I think the majority of these skippers would not like that. There is more solitude than on a Vendée Globe, it is psychologically more engaging. You can not take your phone and call your friends every five minutes. You find yourself in front of yourself, that's the big difference. But I would not be surprised to see young and future skippers from the Vendée Globe. The French system with the Mini, Le Figaro and others is fine, but maybe others will see the Golden Globe Race as a different springboard. With a big budget Mini-Transat, you can do the Golden Globe Race, with less than 120 000 euros, it's possible, so who knows? Registrations are open from 18 years, maybe the next winner will be 21 years old or younger.

 

[forss]

Tip&Shaft newsletter in english:

https://mailchi.mp/tipandshaft/tip-shaft-14-don-mcintyre-the-next-ggr-winner-might-be-21-or-younger-diam-24-better-organised-with-a-more-cohesive-race-structure

 

[spyderpig]

Just looking at the competition for the AZAB and came across this entry

https://azab.co.uk/competitors/beskardes/

I will be interested to hear his take on the comings and goings.

 

[Jud - s/v Sputnik]

Just looking at the competition for the AZAB and came across this entry

https://azab.co.uk/competitors/beskardes/

I will be interested to hear his take on the comings and goings.

The guy who entered a nonstop singlehanded RTW race which would last at least 7 months...and then got too lonely after several days and bailed out?!?

https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/voile/golden-globe-race/golden-globe-race-se-sentant-trop-seul-ertan-beskardes-abandonne-apres-cinq-jours-5867904

 

[QBF]

An interesting post from Scuttlebutt.com

How the Golden Globe Race was won

https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2019/02/01/golden-globe-race-won/
 

"It was on Day 128 (November 5, 2018) when it was learned that his Rustler 36 Matmut had been knocked down badly to about 150° approximately 1900 nm to the west of Cape Horn. While the mast stayed upright, the incident damaged the connecting bolt attachment to the mast that holds all four lower shrouds.

The bolt has slipped 5 cm down in the mast section and slackened the rigging, which required the 73-year old French veteran of six solo circumnavigations to climb and enact a repair that would allow for his finish on Day 213.

As the photos below show, a small piece of spectra line was used in the mast repair, and given the race requirements that limits modern equipment, Van Den Heede had to negotiate the rules to utilize this high tech fibre.

There are two standard approvals given for high tech lines on Golden Globe Race boats:

1. Any commercial wind vane supplied as standard with high tech lines are approved.
2. A small amount of high tech webbing and line may be allowed on application. Van Den Heede was approved to use his high tech line in the leach line of sails.

However, on occasion other dispensations were allowed, and it was this incident of misfortune before the race from which Van Den Heede had benefited.

A few days before sailing to Falmouth for the Parade of Sail in June 2018, he had his towing log line cut by a foiling windsurfer. When he could not buy original log towing lines, and when he checked with GGR about making new custom lines, GGR permitted him to make new lines of any material.

Van Den Heede made new line of spectra and it was one of these log towing lines that he used to assist with the repair."

So high-tech is not allowed, unless it is...