Image: Kirsten Neuschäfer (South Africa) has sailed an impressive total of 13000 miles solo on « Minnehaha » already before the start of the GGR 2022. Photo @ Kirsten Neuschäfer Team
North American entries are rushing across the Atlantic Ocean, while others are expected to make landfall this week in France and the United Kingdom
Three North American entrants sailing against the clock crossing the Atlantic
Tapio Lehtinen ships his yacht to Spain and Graham Dalton tries to re-enter GGR
Three overseas entries about to make landfall in France and the UK in the next week
Gijón and Les Sables d’Olonne preparing for the Prologue and the Race village
The 2022 Race Village, opening on August 20th, will be bigger with and impressive programme leading to the start of the GGR. ©Ville des Sables d'Olonne
THREE NORTH AMERICAN ENTRANTS ARE RUSHING TO CROSS THE ATLANTIC HOPING TO ARRIVE ON TIME FOR THE PROLOGUE IN GIJÓN AND THE OPENING OF THE RACE VILLAGE IN LSO.
Guy deBoer, left Florida late June and his “Spirit” is currently making good progress in the North Atlantic with another 2000 miles to Gijón in time for the prologue and completing his survival course.
27-year-old Elliott Smith left Boston USA on his Gale Force 34 on July 10th a month behind schedule. He will miss the entire Prologue, sailing direct to Les Sables d’Olonne instead. He must then undertake the compulsory eight-day World Sailing Survival Course and STCW Medical Care course prior to the start on Sept 4th. This looks unlikely, as he has the whole Atlantic to cross.
Canadian Gaurav Shinde had motored his Baba 35 from Toronto to New York, ready for his transatlantic crossing, but dislocated his shoulder while putting the mast up. Already running late, he is now using his two-week recovery time to do his STCW Medical Care course. Scheduled to depart July 20, he will not make the Gijón Prologue after his 3000-mile qualifier on an untested boat fresh out of refit. Will he make the start?
In addition to the GGR compulsory survival and medical courses, there are mandatory safety briefings in both Gijón and Les Sables d’Olonne. Missing any of these will activate time and financial penalties which is highly likely.
To save time Finnish entrant Tapio Lehtinen “Captain Barnacle ” is shipping his yacht Asteria to Bilbao, Spain. During the 2018 GGR he was plagued by Barnacles that meant he was the last finisher after 322 days at sea. For 2022 he has new antifouling and is out to win! Meanwhile, New Zealander Graham Dalton, who recently retired from the GGR is now hoping to rejoin the event. This will not be considered until he completes his 2000 mile qualifying voyage and all other safety requirements before entering Gijón on 6th August.
THREE OTHER GGR ENTRANTS ARE COMPLETING THEIR CROSSING IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC AND PREPARING TO MAKE LANDFALL IN FRANCE AND THE UK IN THE COMING DAYS.
Canadian Edward Walentynowicz is completing his return crossing from Nova Scotia departing on June 20th on his Rustler 36 Noah’s Jest. He left Les Sables d’Olonne a year ago, sailing home to complete his refit and is expected back in Vendée this week.
South African Jeremy Bagshaw ends his 6000-mile journey from South Africa after a short stop in Horta to sort engine issues. He expects to make landfall in Falmouth this week, just in time to attend the rugby test match between Wales and South Africa!
Kirsten Neuschäfer, is well into her trip from Cape Town to Europe, started mid-May. Including her 7000 nm trip from Prince Edward’s Island to South Africa after refit, she now has sailed an impressive total of 13000 miles solo on Minnehaha. She is well prepared.
Elliott Smith’s Gale Force 34 “Second Wind” at Newburyport (USA) before setting sail across the Atlantic. Photo: Elliott Smith Team
Gijón is gearing up to welcome the sailors and their team managers, who will meet for the first time during the Prologue from 6 to 14 August for safety briefings and a final chance to relax in the Asturian port city.
The SITraN Challenge, a 280-mile course, will lead them from Gijón to the port of Sables d’Olonne, which will welcome the public in a bigger 7,000 m2 village from 20 August to 4 September, departure date of the 18 skippers around the world. The number of entrants is now 18 out of the original 30 paying entries, the same number as in the second edition four years ago.
The GGR is a race of attrition rather than performance, a journey to the finish that in many ways has already begun, and this year is no exception!
2022 GGR entrants to date:
1. Abhilash Tomy (43) / India / Rustler 36
2. Aleix Selles Vidal (34) / Spain / Rustler 36
3. Arnaud Gaist (50) / France / BARBICAN 33 MKII (long keel version)
4. Damien Guillou (39) / France / Rustler 36
5. Edward Walentynowicz (68) / Canada / Rustler 36
6. Elliott Smith (27) / USA / Gale Force 34
7. Ertan Beskardes (60) / UK / Rustler 36
8. Gaurav Shinde (35) / Canada / Baba 35
9. Guy deBoer (66) / USA / Tashiba 36
10. Guy Waites (54) / UK / Tradewind 35
11. Ian Herbert Jones (52) / UK / Tradewind 35
12. Jeremy Bagshaw (59) / South Africa / OE32
13. Kirsten Neuschäfer (39) / South Africa / Cape George 36
14. Mark Sinclair (63) / Australia / Lello 34
15. Michael Guggenberger (44) / Austria / Biscay 36
16. Pat Lawless (66) / Ireland / Saga 36
17. Simon Curwen (63) / UK / Biscay 36
18. Tapio Lehtinen (64) / Finland / Gaia 36 Masthead sloop