An Abbotsford man will set off this September to sail around the world without the aid of modern electronics, taking on the quadrennial Golden Globe Race, a test of endurance and traditional seamanship.
Rare field, daunting odds
The 2026 edition of the race has a small roster — fewer than 20 sailors qualified — and the event's attrition is stark. Historically, fewer than one‑third of entrants complete the course. Competitors face roughly 30,000 miles of open ocean, sailing alone and without assistance.
Technology frozen in time
Racers are limited to gear that would have been available in 1968, the year Robin Knox‑Johnston completed the first solo nonstop circumnavigation. That ban extends to GPS, cellphones, digital cameras, handheld calculators, electric clocks and contemporary music players. Instead, participants navigate with sextants, charts and wind vanes and use film cameras, cassette tapes and typewriters for notes and logs.
“I remember seeing the GGR 2018 race in progress and made a wish to enter GGR 2022, but was financially and mentally not ready. Now I’m ready to compete in GGR 2026.”
The quote comes from the Abbotsford entrant, who is the only Canadian on the 2026 start list. While other Canadians have taken part in previous editions, no Canadian has yet completed the race.
Route and timeframe
The course begins on France’s Atlantic coast. Competitors sail south around the southern tip of Africa, across to Tasmania, continue around the tip of South America and then head north along the eastern seaboard of South America before returning to France. Participants are allowed up to nine months to finish.
- Solo and unassisted: sailors operate alone with no outside help.
- Old‑style navigation: sextants and manual plotting replace GPS and electronic charts.
- High attrition: historically fewer than 33% finish.
| Leg | Description |
|---|---|
| Start | West coast of France (Atlantic) |
| Leg 1 | South around the southern tip of Africa |
| Leg 2 | Across the Southern Ocean to Tasmania |
| Leg 3 | Around the southernmost tip of South America |
| Return | North up the east coast of South America back to France |
For northerners used to coastal trips, the idea of months at sea alone, often in the Southern Ocean, can be hard to imagine. The race demands not only sailing skill but also psychological resilience and careful provisioning: entrants must repair gear, manage food and water, and cope with isolation without calling for assistance.
The Abbotsford sailor has long wanted to compete in this event, saying earlier that watching the 2018 race inspired a wish to enter a future edition. Financial and mental preparedness delayed earlier attempts, but he has now secured a place on the 2026 starting line.
The Golden Globe Race remains one of the rare modern sporting challenges that deliberately rejects contemporary conveniences, offering a glimpse of what long‑distance solo sailing demanded decades ago. If the Canadian reaches the finish, he would be the first from the country to complete the race.
