History
The Golden Globe Challenge started in 1968 when nine pioneers set sail, and only one made it back to Falmouth after 313 days. In 1989, French yachtsman Phillippe Jeantot founded the race in the optimism of the Golden Globe. In 1982-1983 and 1986-1987, he competed in the BOC Challenge and won. BOC Challenge sailed in phases, and sailors had opportunities to relax and repair their boats in different ports globally. The race arrangement didn’t make him happy; hence, he made up his mind to start the non-stop race worldwide. He was sure that this race would challenge single-handed sailors. Participants go through three capes; Good Horn (South Africa), Leeuwin (Australia), and the Horn (Chile), for more than three months.
The Race
The race starts in the Port des Sables d’Olonne, then goes down the Atlantic, transitions through the Indian Ocean and Pacific, and ascends the Atlantic. The route portrays more than twenty thousand nautical miles (40,000 kilometers). Currently, the Finistére (French Department), Armel Le Cléac’h, is the winner of the race, accomplishing the event is 74 days and 3 hours in the last edition. So far, 138 sailors have started the race, but 71 have crossed the finishing line. During this event, sailors go through icy cold mountains, leaden skies, howling gales, and mountainous waves in the Southern Oceans and Atlantic.
2020-2021 Race
The 2020-2021 race is the 9th edition of the event that started and ended in Les Sables d’Olonne, France. The race started on 8th November 2020, and the first winner accomplished it on 27th January 2021. On 17th February, 22 more yachts finished the race, and three boats are yet to complete.
The winner is Charlie Dahlin, age 36. He completed the race in 80 days and 6 hours. However, two sailors behind him should be the winners because they participated in looking for and rescuing another racer whose yacht had wrecked and sunk in November.
The length of the event makes it difficult. Since there is no help and a non-stop race, sailors find it hard to repair their boats. Preparation is crucial for sailors; they need to decide their systems for seamanship. There is an indefinite balance between excess weight and bringing the necessary equipment. The sailors will experience the balance in the three months event.