Day 284: Golden Globe Race Update

The Finnish skipper, Tapio-Lehtinen, who has been slowed by increasing barnacle growth on his Gaia 36 Asteria since crossing the Indian Ocean last October will miss the party;

On April 1, the Finn alerted Race HQ that he had met up with a boatload of girls in mid-Atlantic who, braving shark attacks, had dived over the side to rid Asteria of her barnacle growth. His Facebook post caught more than a little attention, with some questioning whether this was outside assistance.

Tapio Lehtinen finally crossed the Equator on Tuesday having sat becalmed within 9 miles of the line for three days. The Finn now has 2,998 miles to go to the finish and is expected to return to Les Sables d’Olonne late May.

Despite his extended time at sea, Tapio has plenty of food on board and has retained his sense of humour. On April 1, The Finn alerted Race HQ that he had met up with a boatload of girls in mid-Atlantic who, braving shark attacks, had dived over to rid Asteria of her barnacle growth. His Facebook post caught more than a few, some questioning whether this was outside assistance.

Tapio Lehtinen finally crossed the Equator on Tuesday have sat becalmed within 9 miles of the line for three days. The Finn now has 2,998 miles to the finish and is expected to return to Les Sables d’Olonne late May.

All other skippers, bar Australian Kevin Fairbrother, currently climbing Mt Everest for the fourth time, will be attending the prize-giving. Most will be available for pre-booked one-to-one media interviews over the Weekend.

So too will 8 of the 2022 GGR Race entrants all keen to learn what they can from the 2018 Race skippers. The Suhaili Class for prescribed long keeled yachts between 32-36ft is already fully subscribed with 20 entrants representing 10 Countries, 12 of which already have boats. Three hail from Australia, two from France, 7 from the UK and two from the USA, together with one each from Austria, Canada, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand and Norway. A wait list is now open to accept provisional entrants and these skippers will be announced at the GGR Press Conference on Monday 22nd April.

There is also strong interest in the 10 places available in the new Joshua Class racing 40ft purpose-built steel replicas of Bernard Moitessier’s classic yacht. The first of these is expected to be launched this winter when entries for this class will open. For those keen to have a test sail, The French Maritime Museum based in La Rochelle will have Moitessier’s original Joshua in Les Sables d’Olonne for the Easter weekend offering the opportunity to sail on her.

Lessons learned from sailing in extreme conditions during the Golden Globe Race

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s independent report on lessons gained from handling small yachts in survival conditions during the GGR will also be published at the GGR Press Conference on April 22 with a live link and question/answer session with GGR skippers and Sir Robin in Falmouth, where the original Golden Globe Race skipper will be celebrating his victorious return to the Cornish port that day 50 years ago. The Press Conference and Sir Robin’s Q&A session will be broadcast live on Facebook.

GGR Prize giving programme 19 – 22nd April

Friday 19th and Saturday 20th – GGR Race HQ

• Media check-in 09:00-17:00
• One-to-One pre-booked interview opportunities with 2018 GGR skippers

Sunday 21st April

• 0900-1200: Closed briefing session with 2022 GGR Entrants
• One-to-One pre-booked interview opportunities with 2018 GGR skippers
• 1500-1700: Closed de-briefing session with 2018 GGR Entrants
• One-to-One pre-booked interview opportunities with 2022 GGR skippers

Monday 22nd April – GGR Media Centre

• 0900-1045: One-to-One pre-booked interview opportunities with 2018/2022 GGR skippers
• 1100-1200: GGR 2018 PRESS CONFERENCE – GGR Media Centre
• Presenting 2018 Race Skippers and 2022 Race Entrants to-date.
• 2022 Race announcement
• Live link with Tapio Lehtinen
• 12:00-1230: Live link with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston presenting his independent report on lessons learned from handling small boats in extreme conditions during the 2018 GGR.
• 1530 – 1645: GGR Prize Giving at the Atlantic Casino
• 1645: Live concert with Jean-Luc Van Den Heede and his band

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To pre-book interviews with specific GGR skippers, send the name(s) you wish to interview and your availability to barry@goldengloberace.com

To book a 2 hour sail on Bernard Moitessier’s original yacht Joshua, e.mail barry@goldengloberace.com (subject to a donation to the French National Maritime Museum, La Rochelle)

Positions at 04:00 UTC 11.04.19

Chichester Class

1. Igor Zaretskiy (RUS) Endurance 35 Esmeralda – stopped in Albany, W Australia

Retired

Ertan Beskardes (GBR) Rustler 36 Lazy Otter
Kevin Farebrother (AUS) Tradewind 35 Sagarmatha
Nabil Amra (PAL) Biscay 36 Liberty II
Philippe Péché (FRA) Rustler 36 PRB
Antoine Cousot (FRA) Biscay 36 Métier Intérim
Are Wiig (NOR) OE32 Olleanna
Abhilash Tomy (IND) Suhaili replica Thuriya
Gregor McGuckin (IRE) Biscay 36 Hanley Energy Endurance
Francesco Cappelletti (ITA) Endurance 35 007
Loïc Lepage (FRA) Nicholson 32 Laaland
Susie Goodall (GBR) Rustler 36 DHL Starlight
Mark Sinclair (AUS) Lello 34 Coconut