Ocean Globe Race opens a classic challenge to Whitbread Maxis and W60s
by Don McIntyre 25 Nov 2019 10:19 PST
September 2023
The late Sir Peter Blake's 1989-90 Whitbread winning Steinlager II fully restored and now operated by the New Zealand Sailing Trust for youth sailing and adventure programs. Preserving the past, in order to help shape the future © New Zealand Sailing Trust
Don McIntyre, Chairman of the Ocean Globe Race announced at the Yacht Racing Forum today the addition of a "CLASSIC Challenge". This new class will open another eight entries to former Whitbread Maxis over 71 feet and W60 racing yachts from 1985 to 1997.
Retro and Classics will share host and stopover ports as well as starting dates. However, the unique, longer course sailed by CLASSIC sailors means additional hardship and less in-port time, making for a more challenging race. Crews will compete for the "Big Red Trophy" named after the late Sir Peter Blake's Steinlager II, the only yacht ever to win all legs, line honours, and on handicap.
With 15 confirmed entries in five months, the Retro Class, comprised of Adventure, Sayula and Flyer categories with eight entries each, is already more than half-full. The addition of the CLASSIC Challenge and the two discretionary invitations will increase the number of available entries to 34, making the OGR one of the biggest fully-crewed round the world races of the last 29 years.
The latest entry is the Swan 51 "Eira", skippered by Sebastian Gylling from Finland. Upon entering the race, Gylling who owned multiple X-Yachts and Swan designs said the "race is what Mount Everest is to a mountaineer" and that he wants to compete "Because (he is) a romantic fool".
Amid growing enthusiasm for the race, Don said the Classic Challenge is a natural evolution of the concept. "We were approached by Maxi and W60 owners seeking to enter, which we politely declined. Then pressure from owners of non-approved designs and commentators alike to enlarge the base of starting yachts increased. On reflection we are now excited to include the CLASSIC Challenge, completing the historic connection of celebrating the original Whitbread story and its evolution from enlightened amateurs to pro sailors. The non-retro provisions and modern sponsor signage of yachts create a point of difference for the two distinct races taking place, covering the evolution of the Whitbread over 24 years: Retro from 1973 to 1981 and CLASSIC from 1985 to 1997.
Unlike the Retro class, CLASSIC entries will be allowed full sponsor branding and no restriction on boat signage. Crews will have access to all usual electronics, including GPS, smartphones, satellite communications (to media only), satellite video feeds, drones, sat weather forecasts and computers, but not to weather routing programs.
The new class is already bringing excitement in the racing community, including Whitbread and V.O.R. legend Grant Dalton: "Those early Whitbread days really were full of passion and completely raw experiences. Every edition put up new challenges with the human element as important, if not more so than the boat. The stories and characters became legend and we had a lot of fun. I have lots of memories of "Fisher & Paykel", many of which are about coming only second! This new Classic Challenge in the Ocean Globe is going to excite a lot of people on and off the water. Imagine if Steinlager and F&P return!"
Entries for the CLASSIC Challenge open on January 1st, 2020. Final course and details will be confirmed after consultation with first four entries.
oceangloberace.com