It’s been nearly eight months since they set out to conquer the oceans. Using just the wind and a simple sextant, this epic solo round-the-world sailing race has been undertaken with no stopovers and no technology.

There were 16 skippers on the starting line, but only three of them can claim the title, and two of them will complete their circumnavigation, out of the race, after having made a stopover to repair their boat.

Abhilash Tomy

. Image: GGR/Nora HavelKirsten Neuschäfer. Image: GGR/Nora-HavelMichael Guggenberger Image: GGR/Michael-Guggenberger

 

 

The three contenders:

Kirsten Neuschäfer [South Africa], the first woman to have rounded Cape Horn at the head of a solo round-the-world race. This incredible adventurer also made her mark on the race by saving the life of a competitor and shipwrecked sailor Tapio Lehtinen [Finland].

Abhilash Tomy [India], former commander of the Indian Navy. This MacGyver of the seas and 2018 GGR survivor sacrificed his bathroom door as well as his chart table to repair his ship.

Michael Guggenberger [Austria], aka ‘Captain Gugg’. A relentless dreamer who just might catch up with the two forerunners.

11 sailors had to give up, hit hard by a merciless race that breaks men, boats… and dreams.

Just last week, skipper Ian Herbert-Jones [United Kingdom] paid the price. Victim of a violent storm off the coast of Tierra del Fuego, the Briton was shipwrecked after leaving Picton, his port of call. Rescued by a Taiwanese ship, the sailor is now safe and sound.

In Les Sables d’Olonne, the locals and the whole Vendée region are getting ready to welcome these heroes who are starting a final sprint off Portugal.

The first skippers are expected in the last week of April after completing the longest sporting event in the world, the Golden Globe Race, the forerunner of the Vendée Globe.

Estimated Time of the first arrivals:

First contestant: Simon Curwen (Chichester class), ETA weekend of April 28/30.

Winner: ETA 24 hours later.

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