La Hirondelle 57

 

There is more than one way to go single handed round the world ocean racing, in Les Sables d'Olonne. The Vendee Globe fleet (which start and finish here) do it in high tech, foiling, sixty foot IMOCA's. Arnaud Boissiere's new (to him) boat (formerly Samantha Davies' Initiatives-Coeur) is in port refitting.

So too are the salt stained circumnavigators of the Golden Globe Race (GGR). (Which also starts and finishes here). Don McIntyre, the race founder, calls it “Sailing like its 1968." Rules stipulate that entrants must sail long keeled, production, GRP boats, designed before 1988, without the use of electronic navigation equipment. Offering an alternative, more accessible, route around the world.

The colourful 'Captain Gugg's," ketch rigged, Biscay 36, placed third. With her gleaming golden hull, complete with chili pepper (the spice of life?) adorned bow, she looks the freshest. Perhaps she has been treated to a post finish polish.

Behind her lies Simon Curwen's cutter rigged Biscay 36, Clara. The first boat home and leader throughout much of the race. Although not the eventual winner. Because he was forced to stop, for a week, in Chile, after a knockdown.

Which sheered the top casting on his Hydrovane self steering. (Foreground, below aft end of boom). Relegating him to Chichester Class and thus out of the GGR rankings. Although to claim line honours, after a week lost, languishing in port, is a remarkable feat.

Rafted outside Captain Gugg, is Arnaud Gaist's Barbican 33. Forced to retire at Saint Helena by a litany of: rig failure, barnacle growth and, the final straw, loss of both sextants. With no, race legal, means to navigate, Arnaud was compelled to turn north, before reaching the Southern Ocean. Returning to Les Sables using the GPS, carried by all participants in a sealed safety bag.

Jeremy Bagshaw, aboard the OE32 Olleana (an Olle Enderlein design), was the final finisher of the fleet. In Chichester Class, due to a stop in Hobart, to remove barnacles. Latest in the fleet to round Cape Horn, Jeremy holds the unenviable record (in this year's GGR) for the most storms encountered. Earning his place in the most arduous manner. 

Aboard Minnehaha, her Cape George Cutter, race winner Kirsten Neushafer lives an unassuming seafaring life. Separated, from the open-to-the-public events pontoon, by the waters of the marina fairway. Out of the limelight. Eschewing shore power, in favour of a self sufficient solar panel. Allowing the achievements, of her non-stop solo circumnavigation, rescue of Tapio Lehtinen (whose boat sank) and race win, to do her talking.