The Golden Globe Race is a retro race. The Rules require each competitor to adhere to the equipment available to Sir Robin Knox Johnston, the sole finisher and thus the winner of the first such race.
Sixteen sailors left Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, on 6 September, 2026. Only 12 remain in the main race. Almost 60 days and up to 8,000 nautical miles later, the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race has reached the moment when the adventure becomes something altogether more serious. There are still around 20,000 miles to go!
The fleet has crossed the North Atlantic, endured the Doldrums, passed the Equator and fought its way deep into the South Atlantic. Now leader Damien Guillou has passed the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope, and the chasing skippers are turning towards the immense Southern Ocean. The next 3–4 months may decide who has the boat, the body — and above all, the mind — to finish.
This is no conventional round-the-world yacht race. It is a voyage of attrition like 1968 in small, traditional, long-keel yachts, sailed alone with paper charts, sextants, windvane steering and no modern electronic navigation. No shore team can fix a broken fitting. There is no call home on demand when morale falters. There is nowhere to get off when the weather turns ugly.
As the official GGR description puts it, this is the “longest, loneliest, slowest, most daring challenge” in solo sport. A circumnavigation can last around 240 days. After two months, most of the ordeal still lies ahead.
See restrictions below on these old style boats: no catamarans or trimarans, etc.
.6. Retro Yachts and Equipment As a Retro Event, generally speaking, only equipment that was available to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in 1968 is to be used. We follow the spirit that “if it was not on Suhaili, then you cannot use it.” All equipment on board Suhaili is described in RKJ’s book “A world of my own”. Some items that are considered safety gear are exempt and are listed under Conformance. Below, you will find an overview of typical equipment that is not allowed and typical equipment that is allowed. If in doubt about any piece of equipment being approved or banned, the entrant should always seek immediate clarification from the GGR Office. Typically Not Allowed: - GPS, radar, AIS with interface and/or GPS read-out, NAVTEX, chart plotters, electronic charts, electronic wind instruments, electronic log, electronic watches/clocks, electronic autopilots, electric propulsion engines, satellite equipment of any kind (except for equipment stated in this document), digital binoculars, pocket scientific calculators, water-maker; 240v inverters, spinnaker socks, code 0 furlers. - Any mobile devices, including iPhones, iPods, Kindles, CD players or any other computer based devices, GPS read-out equipped video cameras or electronic digital cameras; - Any high-tech materials (including carbon fibre, Spectra, Kevlar, Vectron), rod rigging, low friction rings. Typically Allowed: - AIS transponder (without access to GPS), Radio HF weather fax, digital cameras and drones (without access to GPS on application only), typewriter, basic automobile cassette player, battery drills, 12v tools, analog headsets, LED lights, refrigeration; - Rope clutch/jamber, self-tailing winches, headsail furling, reefing systems, stainless steel rigging (including Dyform), staylocks, boombrakes. B.7. Exceptional Circumstances In exceptional circumstances, and in situations that could affect the skipper’s safety, the GGR Director or an approved person may provide specific guidelines to which the entrant must conform. These new directives will be issued to meet the exceptional circumstances and will be dealt with in the most effective way. The directives could amend one or more of the articles included in this document or other applicable rules. In that case, the directives will be submitted to the GGR Office in a detailed report.
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