Yacht Racing Past and Present...

Back in 1968, the first solo round-the-world yacht race was announced. Deemed as a 'voyage for madmen', circum­navi­gation of the globe was thought to impossible: just one year later, Robin Knox-Johnston defied the odds and completed the round trip in 312 days, winning the Golden Globe race.

As technology improved, Knox-Johnston's impressive record was successively improved upon and the current record for a complete solo circum­navi­gation of the globe is a remarkable 42 days, achieved by François Gabart in a 100ft trimaran.

17 men and 1 woman are set to try and beat the original record set by Knox-Johnston in 1969 as the Golden Globe Race is brought to the present day. Their yachts will replicate those used in the original race as closely as possible:

• The yachts used in the 2019 Golden Globe Race will be relatively small and have traditional equipment on board
• GPS systems are not permitted on board and so navigation will have to be carried out by sextant, with all celestial calculations meticulously recorded
• Communication will be limited to ham radio and outgoing telegram-style messages
• Weather bulletins may be received only by ordinary radio
• The list of forbidden equipment is long and exhaustive, including radar, AIS, electronic weather instruments, autopilots, AIS, mobile phones, digital cameras, scientific caluculators, electronic clocks/watches, rod rigging and watermakers

We here at Bachmann group are looking forward excitedly to the Golden Globe Race. If you are too, then why not join us on social media (twitter, instagram and facebook) and share your views?