Golden Globe Challenge

See also: Golden Globe

The Golden Globe Challenge was a challenge with the veil organized in 1968, by the British newspaper “The Sunday Times” on the initiative of Sir Francis Chichester.

There was no collective departure, nor of preset arrival and starting line. The competitors could spring since the port of their choice (located beyond 40° of northern latitude) between on June 1st and the October 31st 1968 before concluding a round the world tour as a recluse by the three courses without touching ground, without outside assistance nor supply. A gold sphere would reward the first competitor to buckle a round the world tour, while a second price of £5000 would reward fastest (the departure in front of then being done since a British port).

From the nine competitors engaged, only the British Robin Knox-Johnston on his Ketch of 10 m Suhaili , will return to good port after 313 days of sea and 30.123 traversed miles. Four gave up before leaving the Atlantique. Of the five remaining competitors, Chay Blyth, which had taken the sea without any experiment of navigation, crosses the Cape of Good Hope before giving up; Nigel Tetley sank whereas it was at the head, with 1100 miles of the arrival (it was to commit suicide a few months later); Donald Crowhurst, which had remained in the South Atlantic while communicating by radio of false positions making accept a “real” progression around the world, showed signs of mental disease and committed suicide; Bernard Moitessier rejected the competition, giving up the race whereas it was in good place to gain it and carried on its road until Tahiti, achieving a round the world tour and half.

First and only arrived, Robin Knox-Johnston gained the two prices. It made gift of the £5000 at funds created to support the Crowhurst family. In 1982, it will organize BOC Challenge, new race around the world as a recluse. Thereafter the spirit of the Golden Globe will reappear in 1989, with the race organized by the French Philippe Jeantot, under the name of Vendée Globe.

Legal framework

One can note that this race, like all the long races as a recluse (ex: Vendée Globe) at the time was tolerated by the authorities. Indeed, its unfolding is incompatible with the payment to prevent the boardings at sea, cf regulates 5: Any ship must permanently ensure a visual and auditive day before suitable, by also using all the means available which are adapted to the existing circumstances and conditions, so as to allow a full appreciation of the situation and risk of boarding .

Classification

Robin Knox-Johnston on Suhaili in 313

days

Abandonments

Alex Corozzo on Gancia Americano
John Ridgway on English Pink IV
Chay Blyth on Dyticus
Loïck Fougeron on Captain Browne
Leslie King on Galway Blazer II
Nigel Tetley on Victress
Bernard Moitessier on Joshua

Disappearances

Donald Crowhurst on Teignmouth Electron

Sources

Peter Nichols, Golden Globe , Glénat, 2002

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