2026 Golden Globe Race - Two years to go!
by Golden Globe Race 5 Sep 2024 09:49 PDT
6 September 2026
Guido Cantini Returns - Guido Cantini, who withdrew from the 2022 GGR due to personal issues, returns for the 2026 edition with his well-prepared Vancouver 34, Hannah of Cowes © Guido Cantini / Hannah Racing
The countdown has started for the fourth edition of the Golden Globe Race, set to commence on September 6, 2026. 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. Only one provisional entry remains before a waitlist is initiated.
- 29 sailors from 12 countries, including two women and the first Generation Z entrant, have signed up for the unique and gruelling Golden Globe Race (GGR).
- The Golden Globe Race, which began in 1968, was the first solo, non-stop voyage around the world. It remains a race that truly defines the meaning of being "unassisted".
- Organisers are seeking a title naming partner to secure the Golden Globe Race's long-term future beyond 2030.
The Golden Globe Race, which began in 1968 as the first solo, non-stop around-the-world sailing race, remains a defining event in the sport, epitomizing the essence of an "unassisted" voyage. The race organisers are currently seeking a title naming partner to ensure the event's future beyond 2030.
The first Golden Globe Race saw nine sailors set sail on a daunting solo non-stop journey around the world, unsure if it was even possible. After 312 gruelling days, only one sailor returned: 29-year-old Robin Knox-Johnston, aboard the weather-beaten 32-foot Suhaili. Knox-Johnston, an exceptional sailor, accomplished what many considered impossible, thus beginning the legend of the Golden Globe Race — one sailor facing the near-impossible alone.
Today, there are ten around-the-world yacht races, but the Golden Globe Race stands out. It is not about speed, technology, fame, or fortune. Instead, it is about the fundamental human drive to push oneself toward an impossible dream. It's about a single sailor in a simple, practical, affordable, and sustainable yacht, completely disconnected from the world, navigating alone for around nine months. This is the essence of the GGR.
The GGR is a game that does not come any harder. Only the toughest and smartest prevail. The challenge has proven to be soul destroying at the same time as hugely uplifting. Entrants are volunteers in this game of chance and skill against the elements. The voyage is epic, long and lonely. It is about finishing at all costs, yet history suggests only 20% will. Those that don't finish are stand apart winners for trying. The other events stake their claim to fame in various ways, but there truly is nothing on the planet as mentally demanding and personally challenging as the GGR. 58 years of history rides with them around the world and world and once again in 2026, the world will be watching these extraordinary men and women!
The second 50th Anniversary edition of the GGR, which sailed from Les Sables d'Olonne, France, in 2018, was won by Frenchman Jean-Luc Van Den Heede. In 2022, the third edition saw South African woman Kirsten Neuschäfer become the first woman to win, earning massive international recognition. The final media valuation for the 2022 GGR was €213 million, thanks in part to strong support from host port and logistics partner Les Sables d'Olonne.
Looking ahead to 2026, the organisers are searching for a naming rights partner to secure the GGR's long-term future and are exploring potential host ports for a SITraN prologue race to the start. In 2022, the prologue was held in Gijon, Spain. Founder and Organiser Don McIntyre highlights the race's global appeal:
"The Golden Globe has significant brand recall worldwide, establishing itself as a major global event that generates compelling human stories. These stories resonate not just with sailors but also with non-sailors and families. For a title partner, the GGR offers unique raw material centered around strong individual characters on a grand journey that begins now and spans nearly four years. This journey promises an extraordinary return on investment at a fraction of the media valuation. We are waiting for your call." Don McIntyre - GGR Founder.
Spotlight on entrants: a new generation of sailors
Nineteen-year-old Frenchman Louis Kerdelhué has purchased the Biscay 36 NURI, the yacht that Michael Guggenberger sailed to third place in the 2022 GGR. He will be the first Generation Z sailor to cross the 2026 start line at the age of 21. Inspired by the 2022 edition, Louis decided to join the GGR despite his limited ocean sailing experience. He has since passed his YachtMaster Offshore exam and is eager to face the challenges ahead, stating:
"When I first heard about the GGR, I read all the books — Robin Knox-Johnston's A World of My Own, Jesse Martin's Lionheart, Robin Lee Graham's Dove, Bernard Moitessier's The Long Route — and it solidified my decision. While I dread the doldrums, I look forward to the storms and wilderness of the Southern Ocean. It's incredibly exciting!" Louis Kerdelhué - GGR2026 Youngest Entrant.
Mathys Delmere, 26, also from France, recently sailed around Cape Horn and has entered the GGR. With a lifelong passion for the sea, Mathys has sailed on old Breton ships and participated in offshore races, including the 2023 Ocean Globe Race. Reflecting on his decision, Mathys says:
"These OGR stages were incredible, and the human adventure on board was extraordinary, reinforcing my desire to participate in the GGR. It embodies the essence of being a sailor: feeling alive and interpreting the elements. I am now finishing my officer training, looking for partners, and planning the refit of Petrel. The race has already begun, and my journey to become a sailor continues." Mathys Delmere - GGR2026 Entrant, OGR2023 Team Pen Duick VI crew.
Joel Harkimo, 36, from Finland, will sail the Rustler 36 One and All, which Uku Randmaa sailed to third place in the 2018 GGR. Joel, who began sailing in his youth and has extensive ocean experience, is following in his father's footsteps. Joel says:
"Since I was young, I dreamed of following in my father's footsteps. He sailed around the world three times, and now it feels right for me to take this step. This race is the perfect challenge for me, blending adventure and tradition. While the rough conditions and loneliness will be tough, they are a part of achieving this dream." Joel Harkimo - GGR2026 Entrant, from Finland.
For 63-year-old Australian sailor Mike Smith, the 2026 GGR will be his third attempt, and he is determined to make it. Building his own boat, a Suhaili replica, Mike reflects on his motivations:
"I can be stubborn and enjoy challenging myself, taking calculated risks to achieve personal satisfaction. The GGR will expose me to the raw power of the ocean and wind, and I have no aspirations for podium glory. My goal is to complete the race and keep my feet firmly on the ground." Mike Smith - GGR2026 Entrant, building a Suhaili replica.
All 29 entrants have compelling backstories, and their journeys will undoubtedly captivate the world. Check out on our website here.