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Cork Harbour Primary School To Support Pat Lawless's Golden Globe Round the World Bid

14th July 2022
Pat Lawless (left) with Heather Farrimond from Green Rebel
Pat Lawless (left) with Heather Farrimond from Green Rebel

Crosshaven Boys National School has lent its support to Golden Globe Race participant Pat Lawless as he attempts to become the first Irish person to sail around the world non-stop.

Cork-based Green Rebel is Pat’s main sponsor for the race.

Scoil Náisiúnta Chros tSeáin in Crosshaven has joined the Golden Globe Race (GGR) Schools Programme and will follow Pat as he prepares to set sail like it’s 1968, by only using the same or similar equipment and technology to that of the 1968/69 GGR winner, Robin Knox Johnston. A carpenter and former fisherman from Kerry, Pat Lawless will be the only Irish man to take on the challenge this year.

Pat Lawless and Heather Farrimond from Green Rebel pictured with the Fourth Class Boys of Crosshaven Boys National SchoolPat Lawless and Heather Farrimond from Green Rebel pictured with the Fourth Class Boys of Crosshaven Boys National School

Each contestant in the race is required to pair up with a primary school of their choice from their homeland, and one from France within the vicinity of Les Sables-d’Olonne who will create a cross-cultural link through the fascination of round the world sailing. The GGR Schools Programme ties in with the students’ subjects of geography and history while popularising the vocabulary and practices of single-handed ocean racing. This allows the younger audience to become aware of the values of the race and their environmental surroundings.

Pat visited the school with Heather Farrimond from Green Rebel on the 22nd of June prior to the end of school term, to initiate the Golden Globe Race school mediation and pedagogical programme. Pat discussed the upcoming GGR, and spoke about his childhood dream of one day sailing the Atlantic and how he is preparing for the race in September. Many of the students had prepared some insightful questions to ask the Irish skipper.

Principal of Crosshaven Boys NS, Mr. Colm Lyons said, “It was a great opportunity for the 4th class students to meet Pat. He is a huge inspiration throughout the school and a great encouragement for them to keep up their activities outside of school. We are very proud here at Crosshaven NS to be selected as Pat’s chosen school for the race, and we look forward to following his journey as he attempts to sail around the world.”

As the only Irish competitor in this year's Golden Globe Race, Pat said, “It was great to talk to the students in Crosshaven. As many of them are avid sailors and have grown up around the sea, their support and encouragement means even more to me. Having the support from Crosshaven NS alongside Green Rebel, it will make my sail around the world that bit easier. 

The Golden Globe Race takes place every four years and this year, the race is to set sail from the port of Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, on September 4th. Pat’s journey on his boat named ‘Green Rebel’, can be followed online via the GGR website, and also tracked on the Green Rebel website, when the race begins.

Golden Globe Yacht Race Live Tracker 2022/3

Track the progress of the 2022/3 Golden Globe Race fleet on the live tracker above and see all Afloat's Golden Globe Race coverage in one handy link here

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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