Sixteen skippers of the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race have arrived in Les Sables-d’Olonne, joining 2018 winner Jean-Luc Van Den Heede and race founder Don McIntyre, alongside Mayor Nicolas Chénéchaud. Colm Walker, aboard Mo Chuisle, is the only skipper still at sea.
The official arrival deadline was 10 August, and the coming weeks will involve safety inspections, medical training, and yacht preparations ahead of the start on Sunday, 6 September.
The race is a solo, non-stop challenge spanning approximately 30,000 nautical miles. Past editions indicate that around 20% of participants finish, with only nine out of 43 entrants completing the race in previous events.
Sailors will navigate with traditional methods, relying on sextants and paper charts, facing eight months of isolation. Don McIntyre expresses optimism, noting the depth of preparation among this year’s entrants could yield better results.
The public is invited to meet the sailors starting 22 August at the Golden Globe Marina, where the pontoon and Pavilion will be open to visitors. This presents a unique chance to engage with the skippers as they finalize their preparations.
On 6 September, the race will commence without a mass start, allowing yachts to leave at two-minute intervals as they motor down the channel before heading toward the Southern Ocean. The route provides spectators with an exceptional view of the fleet before they embark on their arduous journey.
As the skippers prepare to set sail, many questions arise about who will complete the race and return to Les Sables-d’Olonne. The anticipation builds as the final preparations unfold for this remarkable adventure.
Check out the 2026 skippers and follow the race at www.goldengloberace.com.
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