Golden Globe Race 2022 entrant Guido Cantini aboard Hannah of Cowes the Vancouver 34. Credit: Guido Cantini/Hannah Racing.

The Golden Globe Race revival is setting off again in 2026 for its third edition.

An ode to the ‘golden age’ of adventurous sailing, it remains an enduring test of tenacity, endurance, and technical skill.

Origins of the Golden Globe Race

The Sunday Times Golden Globe Race has inspired generations of sea men.

It yielded sailing heroes like Sir Robin Knox Johnston and Bernard Moitessier, as well as more tragic figures like Donald Crowhurst and Nigel Tetley.

It led to the founding of events such as Sir Chay Blyth‘s Global Challenge, the BOC Challenge, later the Velux 5 Oceans Race, and even the Vendée Globe.

Of the nine sailors that entered, only one finished.

What is the Golden Globe Race like now?

The “new” Golden Globe Race, organised by McIntyre Adventures, is a nonstop, single-handed, unassisted, east-about (from the west towards the east, so clock-wise) sail around the world with only the technology Sir Robin Knox-Johnston would’ve had onboard Suhaili.

That’s one (potentially amateur) sailor on one (vintage) boat facing the world’s oceans in all their awesome glory, for the better part of a year.

Pretty insane, right?

It’s not for nothing that the GGR has been called ‘the Voyage of Madmen’ and the ‘Loneliest Race in the World,’ and inspired countless books, documentaries, and other media.

The 2026 edition is leaving on 6 September 2026 from Les Sables d’Olonne. Arrivals are foreseen between April and June 2027.

Leaderboards from previous editions:

2022

1. Kirsten Neuschäfer – SOUTH AFRICA – Cape George Cutter, CG36
2. Abhilash Tomy – INDIA – Rustler 36 Masthead Sloop
3. Michael Guggenberger – AUSTRIA – Biscay 36 Masthead Ketch

2018

1. Jean-Luc Van De Heede – FRANCE – Rustler 36 Masthead Sloop
2. Mark Slats – DENMARK – Rustler 36 Masthead Sloop
3. Uku Randmaa – ESTONIA – Rustler 36 Masthead Sloop