Just 47 days before the start of the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race, six entrants have withdrawn from the solo round-the-world challenge, while another six are racing against time to complete the event's demanding qualification before next month's deadline.
The latest developments underline the scale of the challenge before the fleet has even left France. Accidents, illness, family circumstances and funding difficulties have reduced the provisional entry list to 18 active competitors ahead of the 6 September start from Les Sables-d'Olonne.
Among those still on course is Ireland's Pat Lawless, who is preparing his Saltram Saga 36 for a second Golden Globe campaign after competing in the 2022 edition.
Race founder Don McIntyre said the drama had arrived much earlier than expected.
"The Golden Globe has always been about real people confronting real challenges, but normally we expect the drama to begin after the start," he said. "This year it has started before the fleet even reaches Les Sables-d'Olonne."
The six sailors forced to withdraw are Canada's Edward Walentynowicz, France's Arsène Ledertheil, Norway's Daniel Alfredsson, Britain's Andrew Ritchie and Americans Erden Eruç and Christopher Langham.
Their campaigns ended for a variety of reasons, including family commitments, medical issues, injury, funding shortages and the inability to complete preparations in time.
Attention now turns to the six sailors still completing the mandatory 4,000-mile qualifying passage required to secure a place on the start line.
They must reach Les Sables-d'Olonne by 10 August. Late arrivals incur race time penalties, with half a day added to their elapsed race time for every day beyond the deadline.
Among those still qualifying are Canada's Isa Rosli, Sweden's Pär Nyman and Americans Colm Walker, Matt Woodside, Guy deBoer and Stephen Wraith. Some are expected to arrive only days before the cutoff, while others currently appear unlikely to make it in time.
McIntyre described the qualifying passage as "a race within the race".
"There is no time left in the bank and no margin for major problems," he said. "Every mile and every day now matters. Simply reaching Les Sables-d'Olonne and being ready for the start will be an extraordinary achievement."
Ireland's Pat Lawless continues his preparations from Ballyferriter, Co Kerry. A former Atlantic fisherman and furniture maker, he is competing in his second Golden Globe Race and is once again sailing with an Aries self-steering system. His campaign is also raising funds and awareness for Parkinson's Ireland following his wife Rita's diagnosis with Parkinson's disease before the 2022 race.
