Ocean Globe Race starts final leg

Before the last leg, the overall leader (according to the IRC ranking) was the French Triana (Swan 53). The race started on 10 September 2023 with 14 boats. Since then, 4 boats have retired after failing to complete one of the legs. However, they will still be able to race to the finish in Cowes.

The Ocean Globe Race (OGR) is a fully crewed retro race in the spirit of the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race. It is an eight-month adventure around the world for 'ordinary' sailors on ordinary yachts. It marks the 50th anniversary of the original event and follows in the great traditions of ocean racing. 

The race is open to ocean class monohull GRP production yachts between 47ft and 68ft, designed before 1988. The race runs under the same conditions as half a century ago – without computers, satellite communications, satellite navigation and GPS. Smartphones, tablets, and computers are only allowed during stopovers. Music on digital media is not allowed, but audio cassettes are permitted.

The 1968 Golden Globe Race was the first non-stop, unassisted, single-handed round-the-world race. Only one of the nine starters finished the race - Sir Robin Knox-Johnston on the 32ft boat Suhaili. The first Whitbread in 1973 was dramatic with three sailors lost in the ocean. Ramón Carlin's team on the Swan 65 Sayula II won the race.

Whitbread (later Volvo Ocean Race and The Ocean Race) became increasingly expensive. Within 20 years it had converted to a fully professional event. Under Volvo's patronage it became a technological extravaganza, with cutting-edge technology yachts and crews of sailing stars.Looking back, the OGR organisers decided to reintroduce a race that would appeal to a wide range of sailors who dream of adventure and circumnavigation. It is a modestly priced race, with entry fees ranging from €25,000 to €50,000 for the yacht.

Going into the final leg, 10 boats remain in the race. Five are from France and two are from Finland. The rest come from Australia, the UK, the USA and Spain.