Race readies

Sixteen skippers are making their final preparations in Les Sables-d’Olonne ahead of the start of the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race on Sunday, 6 September.

Photography by Golden Globe Race

03 September 2026

The final countdown is under way for the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race, with 16 solo sailors preparing to leave Les Sables-d’Olonne for one of sailing’s most demanding circumnavigation challenges.

The fleet will depart the Vendée Globe Marina on Sunday, 6 September, beginning a 30,000-nautical-mile solo, non-stop and unassisted race around the world.

The Parade of Sail is scheduled to begin at 14:00 CEST, with the 16 race yachts leaving the marina at two-minute intervals from 14:30.

Competitors are now completing safety inspections, loading provisions and carrying out final work on their yachts before an anticipated eight months at sea.

A GGR tradition: survival suits on and smiles all around! The skippers and team check the equipment designed to protect them in the toughest conditions at sea, turning a serious safety requirement into a memorable group moment. Credit: Don McIntyre / GGR2026 FRANÇAIS Une tradition de la GGR : les combinaisons de survie sont enfilées et les sourires sont au rendez-vous ! Les skippers et léquipe vérifient cet équipement conçu pour les protéger dans les conditions les plus difficiles en mer, transformant une exigence de sécurité essentielle en un moment collectif mémorable. Crédit : Don McIntyre / GGR2026

There may be no traditional Race Village this year, but the GGR marina is buzzing with visitors, colourful flags and final preparations. The public can walk among the boats, meet the skippers and experience the excitement as the start approaches. Credit:JJ / GGR2026 FRANÇAIS Il ny a peut-être pas de Village de Course traditionnel cette année, mais la marina de la GGR vibre au rythme des visiteurs, des pavillons colorés et des derniers préparatifs. Le public peut découvrir les voiliers, rencontrer les skippers et partager lenthousiasme grandissant à lapproche du départ. Crédit : JJ / GGR2026

The GGR 2026 fleet fills the Vendée Globe Marina in Les Sables-dOlonne as the final countdown begins. Boats are being prepared, provisions loaded and last-minute jobs completed before 16 skippers set out alone around the world. Credit: Don McIntyre / GGR2026 La flotte de la GGR 2026 remplit la Marina du Vendée Globe aux Sables-dOlonne alors que le compte à rebours final est lancé. Les voiliers sont préparés, les provisions embarquées et les derniers travaux terminés avant que 16 skippers ne sélancent seuls autour du monde. Crédit : Don McIntyre / GGR2026

A very special moment for Israeli skipper Daniel Pinsky as he becomes the first GGR 2026 entrant to receive his official Green Card, confirming that he is cleared to start. Behind him is an image of his sailing hero, Bernard Moitessier. The following day, Daniel plans to visit Moitessier’s grave with his father. Credit: Rob Havill / GGR2026 FRANÇAIS Un moment très spécial pour le skipper israélien Daniel Pinsky, premier concurrent de la GGR 2026 à recevoir sa Green Card officielle, confirmant qu’il est autorisé à prendre le départ. Derrière lui figure son héros de la voile, Bernard Moitessier. Le lendemain, Daniel prévoit de se rendre sur la tombe de Moitessier avec son père. Crédit : Rob Havill / GGR2026

The Golden Globe Race deliberately limits competitors to traditional navigation and communications technology. Skippers sail without GPS or modern electronic navigation aids, relying instead on sextants, compasses and paper charts.

Across the three previous editions of the Golden Globe Race, 43 sailors have started and only nine have completed the circumnavigation.

Final Green Cards issued

Race organisers have begun issuing the final Green Cards confirming that individual skippers and yachts have completed the required safety, administrative and compliance checks.

Israeli skipper Daniel Pinsky was the first 2026 entrant to receive a Green Card, followed by Ireland’s Pat Lawless.

Thirteen of the 16 safety inspections had been completed at the time of the latest race update, with the remaining three entrants awaiting final equipment checks.

Receiving the first Green Card is a very special moment,” says Pinsky. “After years of dreaming and eight months of intense preparation, I’m now officially cleared to start one of the greatest adventures in sailing.”

The main race and safety briefings have also been completed, with one final departure briefing scheduled ahead of Sunday’s start.

Race legends join the countdown

The final pre-start press conference on Thursday, 3 September brings together all 16 entrants with two major figures from Golden Globe Race history.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, winner of the original 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, and Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, winner of the 2018 edition, are scheduled to join the skippers in Les Sables-d’Olonne.

Knox-Johnston had intended to sail his historic 1968-winning yacht Suhaili to Les Sables-d’Olonne for the occasion, but persistent headwinds prevented the yacht from completing the passage in time. After securing Suhaili, he continued the journey by road.

Golden Globe heritage will nevertheless be prominent around the marina, with large radio-controlled models of Suhaili, Joshua and Teignmouth Electron expected to sail during the pre-start program.

Canadian skipper Isa Rosli is all smiles after passing his GGR safety inspection aboard the OE 32 Olleanna. Every piece of mandatory equipment is still spread throughout the cabinone major milestone completed, with the final packing still to come! Credit: JJ / GGR2026 FRANÇAIS Le skipper canadien Isa Rosli affiche un grand sourire après avoir réussi linspection de sécurité de son OE 32 Olleanna. Tout le matériel obligatoire est encore réparti dans la cabine : une étape majeure est franchie, mais il reste maintenant à tout ranger ! Crédit : JJ / GGR2026

Swiss skipper Étienne Messikommer surrounded by around 250 days worth of food before it is packed aboard his Tradewind 35 Bernard. Preparing for an anticipated eight months alone at sea means planning every meal before the start of the GGR 2026. Credit: Eloise G. / GGR2026 FRANÇAIS Le skipper suisse Étienne Messikommer entouré denviron 250 jours de provisions avant leur rangement à bord de son Tradewind 35 Bernard. Se préparer à passer près de huit mois seul en mer signifie prévoir chaque repas avant le départ de la GGR 2026. Crédit : Eloise G. / GGR2026

One fleet, 16 skippers and one extraordinary adventure ahead. After receiving such a warm first welcome in Les Sables-d’Olonne, the GGR 2026 skippers cannot wait to meet everyone again at the Official Farewell on Saturday, 5 September—before the grand adventure begins. Credit: Rob Havill / GGR2026 FRANÇAIS Une flotte, 16 skippers et une aventure extraordinaire à venir. Après ce premier accueil chaleureux aux Sables-d’Olonne, les skippers de la GGR 2026 ont hâte de retrouver le public lors des adieux officiels, le samedi 5 septembre, avant le début de la grande aventure. Crédit : Rob Havill / GGR2026

Joshua (red) and Suhaili side by side for the first time in the 2018 Golden Globe Race Village. This year, Joshua is already back in Les Sables-d’Olonne, but persistent headwinds prevented Suhaili from completing the journey. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston will still join the final countdown after continuing by road. Credit: GGR 2018 / Christophe Favreau FRANÇAIS Joshua (en rouge) et Suhaili réunis côte à côte pour la première fois dans le Village de la Golden Globe Race 2018. Cette année, Joshua est déjà de retour aux Sables-d’Olonne, mais des vents contraires persistants ont empêché Suhaili de terminer le voyage. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston rejoindra malgré tout le compte à rebours final en poursuivant sa route par la terre. Crédit : GGR 2018 / Christophe Favreau

The GGR 2026 fleet sails off Les Sables-dOlonne during the SITraN Challenge Prologuethe final offshore rehearsal before 16 skippers set out alone on 6 September for 30,000 nautical miles around the world. Who will return? Credit: JJ / GGR2026 FRANÇAIS La flotte de la GGR 2026 navigue au large des Sables-dOlonne lors du Prologue du Challenge SITraN, dernière répétition en mer avant que 16 skippers ne sélancent en solitaire le 6 septembre pour parcourir 30 000 milles nautiques autour du monde. Qui reviendra ? Crédit : JJ / GGR2026

Eight months of provisions

Along the pontoons, crews, families and supporters are helping skippers load the food and equipment required for months alone at sea.

Swiss skipper Étienne Messikommer, sailing the Tradewind 35 Bernard, has prepared around 250 days of food for the voyage.

For the competitors, the closing days also bring the prospect of lengthy separation from family and friends.

The final week before a Golden Globe start is unlike anything else,” says Golden Globe Race Chairman Don McIntyre. “Years of preparation come down to just a handful of days.”

Live view from the fleet

The race’s GGR Window Live system is also becoming operational ahead of the start.

Scheduled marina broadcasts begin on Thursday, 3 September, rotating across eight participating boats. Once racing begins, the system will provide one-way onboard video and selected data without allowing information to be transmitted back to the competitors.

An international audio documentary project will also follow the fleet. Each skipper has been given a cassette recorder to capture personal accounts and sounds from life aboard during the circumnavigation, with the recordings planned for a six-to-eight-part series.

The 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race starts from Les Sables-d’Olonne on Sunday, 6 September.

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