Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

Golden Globe Race 2022 fleet sets sail on 240 nm SITraN Challenge, Gracias Gijón, see you soon!

by Don McIntyre 14 Aug 2022 15:46 PDT 14 August 2022
15 Golden Globe Race 2022 yachts on the same start line, finally! © Paco Hispán Miranda

15 Golden Globe Race entrants, representing 10 yacht designs and nationalities racing from Gijón to Les Sables d'Olonne in the SITraN Challenge.

  • 15 GGR yachts set off from Gijón for the Start of the 240 nm SITraN Challenge.
  • Incredible hospitality from Gijón city and sailors and an emotional send-off.
  • First time the GGR fleet is racing together comparing speeds across the Bay of Biscay.
  • Jeremy Bagshaw first across the line, Damien Guillou leading the fleet off San Lorenzo Bay.
  • Les Sables d'Olonne ready to host the GGR village for the opening on August 20th.

It was a beautiful day in Gijón, and an emotional send-off from local sailors and boats who came in great numbers to wave goodbye to the 15 Golden Globe Race yachts after a week of briefings and festivities. Yannick Moreau, mayor of Les Sables d'Olonne, Ana Gonzalez, mayor of Gijón, Enrique Fernandez Consejero de Industria, Empleo y Promoción Económica also went out on the water, accompanying the sailors out of Asturian waters into the Bay of Biscay.

The fifteen boats of the GGR are for the first time sailing as a fleet and measuring up to each other for this 240-mile friendly race towards les Sables d'Olonne in a nice westerly breeze, under the sun. The SITraN Challenge has no racing rules and allows boats to be sailed solo or fully crewed, with friends and family, spending quality time together before the build-up of the village leading up to the start in three weeks.

It also allows the organizers to check and validate critical safety and communication systems on this offshore voyage, including the Yellow Brick tracking and 2-way satellite communications systems, before they set off around the world. All this before final safety briefings and safety checks in Les Sables d'Olonne when entrants receive the much anticipated "Green Card" that finally lets them start!

The start was spotlessly organised by the Real Club Astur de Regatas and very hotly contested, crossed first by South African sailors Jeremy Bagshaw and Frans Loos on the OE32 Olleanna, followed by Damien Guillou sailing solo on his Rustler 36 PRB in race configuration with 230 days of food and water onboard, and the father-daughter crew of Simon and Nikki Curwen, both competitive solo sailors on the Biscay 36 Clara.

Damien soon took a solid command of the fleet, out the Ensenada de San Lorenzo, with impressive ease and speed, while the leading group was later joined by Abhilash Tomy, Kirsten Neuschäfer, Ian Herbert-Jones and Arnaud Gaist. The winds are fair towards France for a 2-day sprint to Les Sables d'Olonne.

"Today is the culmination of an intense week here in Gijón, with critical safety briefings, systems set-up and tested leading up to the race state" said Don McIntyre, president and founder of the GGR "Most importantly it has been a special time and place where the solo sailors and teams who arrived a week ago, are now leaving as friends, through helping each other and enjoying each other's company during the Semana Grande. This is the best outcome possible, for them and for us."

The week was filled with activities and visits to the neighbouring towns of Candàs and Villaviciosa, while the open boat morning of the Saturday was a huge success among the Asturian sailing community, especially children and young sailors who had the occasion to visit the boats and meet the skippers. "Gijon and the Asturians have been an integral part of this success, and we thank them for their incredible hospitality, enthusiasm and "ternura asturiana", Don added.

Meanwhile, Les Sables d'Olonne are gearing up for the race village that will welcome the public in the Esplanade du Vendée Globe three weeks from now, hosting heaps of activities, boats on display, coastal race on local traditional sailboats and the grand opening with GGR 2018 winner Jean-Luc VDH live in concert!

"I am delighted that the beautiful city of Gijón writes its name in the history of the GGR, a legendary race. Many thanks to our Spanish cousin city and its Mayoress, Mrs Ana Gonzales, for launching the prologue of this adventure which promises to be thrilling." Said Yannick Moreau, mayor of Les Sables d'Olonne, "On the other side of the Bay of Biscay, the town of Les Sables d'Olonne is ready to welcome the skippers and the public: fireworks, large race village, entertainment... 2 weeks of festivities starting on August 20th. The pressure is mounting for those who are about to set off on the longest sporting event in the world."

15 Golden Globe entrants, representing 10 yacht designs and nationalities racing from Gijón to Les Sables d'Olonne in the SITraN Challenge, list below:

1. Abhilash Tomy (43) / India / Rustler 36
2. Arnaud Gaist (50) / France / BARBICAN 33 MKII (long keel version)
3. Damien Guillou (39) / France / Rustler 36
4. Edward Walentynowicz (68) / Canada / Rustler 36
5. Ertan Beskardes (60) / UK / Rustler 36
6. Guy deBoer (66) / USA / Tashiba 36
7. Guy Waites (54) / UK / Tradewind 35
8. Ian Herbert Jones (52) / UK / Tradewind 35
9. Jeremy Bagshaw (59) / South Africa / OE32
10. Kirsten Neuschäfer (39) / South Africa / Cape George 36
11. Mark Sinclair (63) / Australia / Lello 34
12. Michael Guggenberger (44) / Austria / Biscay 36
13. Pat Lawless (66) / Ireland / Saga 36
14. Simon Curwen (63) / UK / Biscay 36
15. Tapio Lehtinen (64) / Finland / Gaia 36 Masthead sloop

Related Articles

2026 Golden Globe Race - Two years to go!
Nothing compares to the GGR - 29 entrants signed up and the countdown begins With just two years remaining, 29 passionate sailors from 12 countries, including two women and the race's first Generation Z entrant, have signed up for this unique and gruelling challenge. Posted on 5 Sep
Making waves and setting records
Kirsten Neuschäfer on how life has changed in the last 11 months Far from the glamour of a glittering awards ceremonies, which bring together the who's who of global sport, Kirsten Neuschäfer finds solace in the vast expanse of the ocean, a place where the only spotlight comes from the sun. Posted on 14 Mar
2023 Blue Water Medal winner announced
Kirsten Neuschäfer, the winner of the Golden Globe Race, recognised Kirsten Neuschäfer, of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is awarded the Blue Water Medal for 2023 in recognition of the tremendous effort, determination, and skill she exhibited during her 235-day solo circumnavigation in Minnehaha, a Cape George 36 sailboat. Posted on 3 Jan
Erden Eruç on preparing for the 2026 Golden Globe
A Q&A with Erden Eruç about his preparations for the 2026 Golden Globe Race I checked in with Erden Eruç, an 18-time Guinness Book of World Records holder and high-level ocean rower (and my longtime friend), via email, to learn more about his ongoing preparations to compete in the 2026 Golden Globe Race. Posted on 2 Jan
Looking ahead to a year full of sailing riches
From the Arkea Ultim Challenge to the Vendee Globe, 2024 promises to be a big year The sailing world is about to enjoy an embarrassment of riches. This is because 2024 is an Olympic year, an America's Cup year, and a Vendee Globe year. But first, get ready for the Arkea Ultim Challenge. Posted on 2 Jan
Guy deBoer to reenact 2022 Golden Globe Race
American solo sailor is setting sail once again aboard his yacht, Spirit American solo sailor Guy deBoer is setting sail once again, departing from the port harbor of Les Sables d'Olonne, France, on September 4th, 2024. Posted on 24 Dec 2023
Cole Brauer preapres for Global Solo Challenge
To become the first American woman to race solo around the globe In five days, Cole Brauer sets off to become the first American woman to race a sailboat solo around the globe. Posted on 24 Oct 2023
Erden Eruç on the 2026 Golden Globe Race
A Q&A with Erden Eruç on entering the 2026 Golden Globe Race I checked in with Erden Eruç, a 18-time Guinness Book of World Records holder and high-level ocean rower (and my friend), via email, to learn more about his plans to compete in the 2026 Golden Globe Race. Posted on 30 Aug 2023
Kirsten takes the Golden Globe Race crown
Huge Les Sables D'Olonne prize giving celebration In the history of sailing one event changed everything. The Golden Globe Race sits high in the mind of all sailors and one man, Sir Robin Knox Johnston, winner of the first edition in 1968 has inspired tens of millions ever since. Posted on 25 Jun 2023
Last finisher in Golden Globe Race 2022
Jeremy Bagshaw brings closure and more panache to the GGR 2022 finish with no food, or water It's all over! Once again, the third edition of the Golden Globe Race has delivered an incredibly spectacular human adventure that no one could ever have imagined when the 16 sailors set out from Les Sables d'Olonne on Sept 4th last year. Posted on 15 Jun 2023
37th AC Store 2024-two-728X90 BOTTOMSelden 2020 - FOOTERJ Composites J/45