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Headline Photo: Guy Waites onboard his Tradewind 35 “Sagarmatha”, Guy said no matter what, he will make the startline. Photo: Guy Waites Sailing Team

North American entries are rushing across the Atlantic Ocean, while some skippers have not met the GGR requirements

• Three North American entrants sailing against the clock crossing the Atlantic
• Three overseas entries about to make landfall in France and the UK in the next week
• Three skippers throw the towel unable to meet the stringent GGR requirements
• Gijon and Les Sables d’Olonne preparing for the Prologue and the Race village

Guy DeBoer, left Florida late June and his “Spirit” is currently making good progress in the North Atlantic with another 2000 miles to Gijon 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 Gijon 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 Gijon and Les Sables d’Olonne. Missing any of these will activate time and financial penalties.
Three other GGR entrants are completing their crossing in the North Atlantic and preparing to make landfall in France and the UK in the next week.

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 before, sailing home to complete his refit.

South African Jeremy Bagshaw ends his 6000-mile journey from South Africa after a short stop in Horta to sort engine issues. The North Atlantic High-pressure system is not providing the winds to head west and his engine is disabled again by fuel injector issues so he is headed to the UK.

Kirsten Neuschäfer (South Africa) 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.

As we were expecting in our June press release, some serious contenders and experienced sailors did not make the strict registration deadline, and had to pull out of the event.

3-times solo circumnavigator Robin Davie did not pass the stringent GGR medical test, and had to retire. He may make his own personal circumnavigation later.
6-time circumnavigator David Scott Cowper short on electrical contractors had too many issues to face, including equipment delays and unfortunately is retired
Matthew Wright, gave up due to a pre-existing medical condition but hopes to be back in the GGR 2026.

As Gijon gears-up for the Prologue and Les Sables d’Olonne prepare for the Race Village opening on August 20th, the number of entries is now 18, out of 30 paid entries, the same number then on the second edition four years ago.

The GGR is a race of attrition more than performance, a voyage to the finish which in many ways has already started and this year is no exception!