Gregor McGuckin Rolled 360 Degrees, Knocking Him Out of Golden Globe Race

21st September 2018

Afloat.ie Team

Gregor McGuckin in happier times shortly after the start in July

Irishman Gregor McGuckin’s yacht has just been dramatically rolled 360 degrees in the middle of the Indian Ocean during an extreme storm. The violent roll broke his main mast and will now force him out of the solo round the world race he is competing in.

The 32-year-old from Dublin set sail on 1 July 2018 from Les Sables d’Olonne in France in an attempt to sail non-stop around the world. On his 82nd day at sea and in an extremely calm and professional manner, McGuckin called the race office to report “I’ve got rolled the main mast is gone.” Rolled means a wave rolled the boat 360 degrees putting the mast vertically into the water and when the boat returned upright the mast was broken.

As Afloat.ie reported just a few hours earlier, McGuckin was ‘knocked down’ meaning the boat was knocked on its side and in the process he broke the Mizzen mast on his boat, the smaller of the two masts.

At the time McGuckin was sailing “Downwind on bare poles with warps out the back,” meaning he had no sails up and was trailing ropes in an attempt to keep the boat moving in the direction of the waves.

When asked how the terrifying incident occurred McGuckin said, “The sea is just savage. I was going down a swell and a monster (wave) came in from the other side, there was nothing I could have done. I was lying on the roof but it came back up. I’m a bit bruised but ok.” He estimated “The gusts must have been 70 knots.”

McGuckin is now the second competitor in the Golden Globe Race to be rolled over. Many others have been forced to retire due to gear failure and personal reasons.

Speaking about his extremely remote location in the middle of the Indian Ocean McGuckin said, “Typical, I’m at the furthest point from land in the Indian Ocean.” The lone skipper has a number of options. Firstly, he could call on a fellow competitor to pick him up and abandon his own boat. Secondly, he could ask to be rescued by a passing ship. And finally, he could build a jury rig and sail the 2,000 miles to Australia which could take up to 50 days. When asked what he will do next, McGuckin said, “I will sleep on it for now.”

Tracker here

In the latest update from the race (2000hrs) dismasted McGuckin may be required to lend a hand to a fellow stricken competitor here.

Published in Golden Globe Race

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Published in Golden Globe Race

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About the Golden Globe Race

The Golden Globe Race is the original round the world yacht race. In 1968, while man was preparing to take his first steps on the moon, a mild mannered and modest young man was setting out on his own record breaking voyage of discovery. Off shore yacht racing changed forever with adventurers and sailors, inspired by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, following in his pioneering wake. Nine men started the first solo non-stop sailing race around the World. Only one finished. History was made. Navigating with a sextant, paper charts and an accurate and reliable time piece, Sir Robin navigated around the world. In 2018, to celebrate 50 years since that first record breaking achievement, the Golden Globe Race was resurrected. It instantly caught the attention of the worlds media as well as adventures, captivated by the spirit and opportunity. The original race is back.

The Golden Globe Race: Stepping back to the golden age of solo sailing

Like the original Sunday Times event back in 1968/9, the 2018 Golden Globe Race was very simple. Depart Les Sables d'Olonne, France on July 1st 2018 and sail solo, non-stop around the world, via the five Great Capes and return to Les Sables d'Olonne. Entrants are limited to use the same type of yachts and equipment that were available to Robin Knox-Johnston in that first race. That means sailing without modern technology or benefit of satellite-based navigation aids.

Competitors must sail in production boats between 32ft and 36ft overall (9.75 10.97m) designed prior to 1988 and having a full-length keel with rudder attached to their trailing edge. These yachts will be heavily built, strong and steady, similar in concept to Robin's 32ft vessel Suhaili.

In contrast to the current professional world of elite ocean racing, this edition travels back to a time known as the 'Golden Age' of solo sailing. Suhaili was a slow and steady 32ft double-ended ketch based on a William Atkins ERIC design. She is heavily built of teak and carried no computers, GPS, satellite phone nor water-maker, and Robin completed the challenge without the aid of modern-day shore-based weather routing advice. He had only a wind-up chronometer and a barograph to face the world alone, and caught rainwater to survive, but was at one with the ocean, able to contemplate and absorb all that this epic voyage had to offer.

This anniversary edition of the Golden Globe Race is a celebration of the original event, the winner, his boat and that significant world-first achievement. Competitors in this race will be sailing simple boats using basic equipment to guarantee a satisfying and personal experience. The challenge is pure and very raw, placing the adventure ahead of winning at all costs. It is for 'those who dare', just as it was for Knox-Johnston.

They will be navigating with sextant on paper charts, without electronic instruments or autopilots. They will hand-write their logs and determine the weather for themselves.

Only occasionally will they talk to loved ones and the outside world when long-range high frequency and ham radios allow.

It is now possible to race a monohull solo around the world in under 80 days, but sailors entered in this race will spend around 300 days at sea, challenging themselves and each other. The 2018 Golden Globe Race was a fitting tribute to the first edition and it's winner, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

Background on Don McIntyre (61) Race Founder

Don is an inveterate sailor and recognised as one of Australia s greatest explorers. Passionate about all forms of adventure and inspiring others, his desire is to recreate the Golden Age of solo sailing. Don finished 2nd in class in the 1990-91 BOC Challenge solo around the world yacht race. In 2010, he led the 4-man Talisker Bounty Boat challenge to re-enact the Mutiny on the Bounty voyage from Tonga to West Timor, in a simil