The Golden Globe

1. Genesis

I_ How the race was born

The race was born in 1968, thanks to the Golden Globe launched in 1968, the first race around the globe, alone, without stopover, and by the three gapes (of Good Hope/Leeuwin/Horn). Over the 9 pioneers, only one succeed to get back to Falmouth. After 313 days, The Britannic Robin Knox-Johnston became the first sailor to achieve a race around the world with a sailing-boat.

The navigator, Philippe Jeantot, in 1988, launched the idea of a new race, with a sailing boat, around the world, alone, without stopover, and without assistance. Few editions later, the race has been renamed “Vendée Globe”. In 1989, at Sables D’olonnes 13 sailors took the departure of the first edition which is going to last more than 3 months. Only 7 sailors succeed to get back to Sables D’olonnes.

II_ How the race developed

Since the first seven editions, 138 sailors took the departure of the race and only 71 have succeed to reach the finish line. This race has been renamed by the audience “The Everest of the sea”. Participants are confronted with extreme difficulties as freezing cold, immoderate waves and strong winds. The journey was from Les Sables D’olonnes (France) to The Cape of Good Hope (South Africa), to The Cape Leeuwin (Australia) to The Cape Horn (South America) via the Gulfstream (Atlantic).

The race has been massively followed thanks to the famous navigators like Eric Tabarly and Bernard Moitessier. It was like the world cup of the navigation.

1. The Legend of the Race

I_ The first races

In 1989, 13 pioneers were at the departure of the race. The audience was wondering “How many is going to get back?”. The first day, Philippe Jeantot broke his gooseneck but keep on going. The Gulfstream becalmed some of them. Titouan Lamazou seats in first position. At the end, Titouan Lamazou finished first with 109 days, followed by Loick Peyron (110 days). 3 had gave up and 3 claimed themselves out of the race. The second race is hit by several disaster as the disappearance of Mike Plant and the death of Nigel Burgess, found in The Gulf of Gascogne.

II_ The disasters

As we said, during the 2nd race, Nigel Burgess and Mike Plant did not get back to the finish line. The race is dangerous, almost 50% of withdrawal. In the 3rd race, Gerry Roufs disappeared. In 1992, Bertrand de Broc stitched his tongue with a mirror and the assistance of a doctor by phone.

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