In all the excitement of the Vendee Globe, it’s easy to forget that it’s the 40th anniversary of the original solo round-the-world race, the Sunday Times Golden Globe. The official start of the Golden Globe was any time between June 1st 1968 and October 31st. The sailors were racing for two prizes: First to make it round and fastest circumnavigation.
The racers started in batches: Robin, Knox Johnston, Chay Blyth, John Ridgway started in June. Moitessier, Fougeron and King started in August, Nigel Tetley in September. The ill-fated and inadequately prepared Crowhurst and the celebrated Italian, Carozzo were last to start, crossing the line on the last possible date, October 31st.
By this day 40 years ago, Ridgway, Blyth, Fougeron, King had all retired. Carozzo would retire on November 14th. The race was left to the unknown Knox-Johnston, the famous Moitessier, Nigel Tetley and Crowhurst in their innovative trimarans. At this time the racers were spread far apart. Knox-Johnston was off Australia, Moitessier sailing like the clappers was 1,100 miles east of Capetown, Tetley was nearing Trinidade. Crowhurst had barely been sailing for a week and was already having problems. His boat was leaking badly and by now he would be acutely aware that the Roaring Forties would be impossible for his boat the Teignmouth Electron.
While I will be watching the 2008 Vendee Globe closely, the original race fascinates me more. When Joyon completed his incredible circumnavigation in 54 days, I found the comparison to RKJ’s feat all the more compelling. Apparently I am not alone, as this recent comment suggests:
comparison – RKJ’s boat was bought for a very small sum and is the type
of boat which can be built by a person with traditional boatbuilding
skills using natural products – wood. RKJ navigated the ocean using a
sextant and chronometer. His motives were not for financial gain (he
gave away the prize money to Crowhurst’s family) and it was truly a
solo effort.
The other, is a major corporate undertaking costing millions, reliant
on teams of people working around the clock (weather routers, advisors
blah blah blah), using artificial products, electronics and all types
of whiz bang unreliable gadgetry. Have we really achieved much? I know
which adventure I’d rather read about. Rod Lawson
As the 40th anniversary of the Gloden Globe’s completion nears in 2009, it will be interesting to see how much this event and accomplishment is celebrated. I hope that the original race and RKJ are given its recognition.