Thousands of people lined the harbour walls at Les Sables d’Olonne in France this afternoon to watch the start of the Golden Globe non-stop round-the-world race.

Ireland’s Pat Lawless is amongst the 16 solo skippers who started, with up to eight months alone at sea ahead of them.

Family, friends and supporters from Kerry and Limerick were in the French port for the start.

There was a big swell coming in from the sea as the yachts crossed the start line, beating into a fresh wind.

Before the start Pat said that he was happy to be “getting going after the years of preparation. Now it is all to do with what happens at sea. I’m well prepared and my focus is to finish. We’ll see how many do get to finish. “

The Bay of Biscay will be the first major test ahead for the GGR fleet.

The start of the Golden Globe non-stop round-the-world race

Additional reporting by GGR media:

Emotions ran high as family and friends bid farewell to 16 skippers setting out from Les Sables d’Olonne on one of the most gruelling challenges on the planet. The Golden Globe Race is a solo non stop voyage sailing small 32-36 ft old fashion yachts without technology and no assistance. Following years of intense preparations and safety checks, the thought of 9 months of total isolation with only high frequency radios to speak with family was daunting.

The people of Sables d'Olonne were present in high numbers to cheer the GGR competitors and in the two weeks of the race village drew 5000 visitors per day. Thousands lined the wall along the mythical channel of Sables d'Olonne where classic and historic yachts, competitors of the Golden Globe Race, traditional Olonnois yachts and local yachts paraded towards the startline.

The GGR dock has been a favourite among visitors and enthusiasts. Picture Credit: Nora Havel / GGR2022

"We couldn't have wished for a better home port for the GGR than Les Sables d'Olonne," said Don McIntyre, President and Founder of the race, " To watch the sailors depart the marina was both humbling, exciting and electric. We were all swept up in the emotion and human spirit on display. Trying to imagine the hardships and joy these sailors and dreamers will experience in the months ahead was hard. ”

The skippers were ready to go following years of preparations. It was time! The starting line was between Tapio Lethenin’s Swan 55 Galiana and L’Esprit d'Equipe of local skipper Lionel Régnier, both Ocean Globe Race entrants. The Official start vessel was Guépard, a French Navy training ship of which the town of Les Sables d'Olonne is the godmother. The official starter was Sir Robin Knox Johnston supported by Mayor Yannick Moreau, and the founder of the GGR, Don McIntyre.

Prologue, bis repetita?

It was Britain's Simon Curwen who crossed the line first, followed shortly by France's Damien Guillou on PRB, later joined by Kirsten Neuschäfer. The trio who led the previous Gijon prologue quickly took the lead of the fleet towards Cape Finisterre, 350 miles southwest of Les Sables d'Olonne, which they are expected to reach in 3 to 4 days. 

Pat Lawless (Ireland) onboard his Saga 36 "Green Rebel", a world of his own. Picture Credit: Nora Havel / GGR2022

The former Classe Mini and Figaro sailor and the South African ocean navigator will be keen to set a strong pace to the rest of the fleet in the early hours of the race to implement their respective strategies. This should see them seeking the low-pressure system to the west before descending to the tip of Cape Finisterre. Strong headwinds, avoiding coastal traffic and possible interactions with orcas along the Galician coast are just some of the challenges ahead.

Popular local French sailor Arnaud Gaist broke the start line by about 1 minute and was asked by the official starter to recross the line. He failed to do so. This will be addressed later, but as he sails the smallest yachts in the fleet so it is not expected to have any real impact.

Christian Dumard, the meteorologist for legendary races such as the Vendée Globe, the Volvo Ocean Race and the Mini Transat, shares his analysis: "The conditions for the first few days of the race are going to be tough. After a start in good conditions, the low-pressure system to the west of the Celtic Sea will bring strong south westerly winds. It will be followed at the end of next week by the remains of cyclone Danielle, which formed in the middle of the Atlantic. It is therefore in a prevailing SW to W flow that the competitors will sail to Cape Finisterre, then probably to the latitude of Lisbon. The sea will be rough with waves of up to 4 metres. They will then be able to hit the Portuguese trade winds, the famous northerly winds that will enable them to sail downwind towards the Canary Islands and the Cape Verde Archipelago.”

There are two options in the immediate future: westwards towards heavy weather for the skippers who will want to make the difference during the first 24 hours, and a route favouring milder but more uncertain winds along the Asturian and Galician coastline. This choice, early in the race, could well lead to the first split of the fleet into 2 groups.

The Spaniard Aleix Selles, still waiting for his mast, chose to sail alongside the fleet and test his jury rig on his Rustler 36 Onsoro. According to the Notice of Race, he may have one more week to rejoin the Race and cross the start line south of Nouch, and benefit from good weather conditions. He is determined and could well add another twist to this 2022 edition.

Next stop, Lanzarote!

Irish solo sailor Pat Lawless completed his 300-nautical miles celestial navigation voyage which he was forced to do by the Golden Globe Race organisers this week and is now ready for the start of the race this Sunday from Les Sables-d'Olonne in France.

He had to pay a fine of €1,000 over the submission of race registration documents and says that while he was very disappointed at the penalties imposed on him, he has put it behind him and his focus is now on the start of the race.

He told me what had happened:

Kerry solo sailor Pat Lawless is in Gijon, Spain, to take part in the Golden Globe prologue race on Sunday, August 14, from there to Les Sables d'Olonne in France from where the Golden Globe Race itself will start on September 4.

From Gijon, Pat has told Afloat: "Nice weather here in Gijon. Had quite a bit of hand steering from Cork to Les Sables d'Olonne. Nice sail down to Gijon. Still stressed getting everything done, but that will make the start better."

He left Crosshaven on Tuesday, July 26 and put into Las Sables d'Olonne on the way to Spain.

Gijon, Spain

Eighteen sailors from 12 nations have entered this year's Golden Globe Race. Pat Lawless is Ireland's only entry.

The SITraN Challenge, a 280-mile course, will take them from Gijón to the port of Sables d'Olonne, where the race village will be open from August 20 to September 4. The number of entrants, 18, is down from the 30 who originally paid entry fees and is the same number as in the last race four years ago.

The GGR is "a race of attrition rather than performance, a journey to the finish that in many ways has already begun and this year is no exception," say the race organisers.

As Pat Lawless left Crosshaven this morning to take part in the Golden Globe Race, it was somewhat fitting that he was surrounded by National18s heading for the start line of their National Championships and, accompanied by Crosshaven lifeboat giving him a farewell, he passed young trainees from the Royal Cork Yacht Club learning to sail in their Optimists.

Family, friends, supporters and media as Pat prepares to leave

Flag bedecked and accompanied by family and friends, his Saga 36 Green Rebel headed out of Cork Harbour, the last time he will set eyes on Ireland until he finishes the Race, he says.

As he prepared to go, I spoke to him on the Crosshaven Boatyard Marine for Afloat:

Irish sailor Pat Lawless is departing from Crosshaven in Cork Harbour this morning on his mission to become the first Irish person to sail around the world non-stop as part of the Golden Globe Race.

Cork based company Green Rebel is the main sponsor for Pat Lawless’ entry to the race and representatives from the company joined Pat in Crosshaven today to wish him well. Over the last few weeks, Pat has been inviting supporters to sign his sail before he sets off. The race is expected to last around nine months.

The Golden Globe Race 2022 will begin on 4th September when 18 sailors depart Les Sables-d’Olonne and aim to sail solo, non-stop around the world, via the five Great Capes and return to Les Sables-d’Olonne. Pat has named his boat - Green Rebel. Once he leaves Crosshaven he will head to Spain to take part in the prologue race before the main event. This is a 280-mile course that will lead the sailors from Gijón to the port of Sables d’Olonne for the start of the Golden Globe Race.

Pat said: “I cannot wait to get started and I want to thank everyone for their support so far. I am really looking forward to the race and making Ireland proud. Thank you to all my sponsors and to Green Rebel for their support. Myself and my boat, which is called Green Rebel, will be at the start line in France in September and we will be flying the flag for Ireland.”

CEO of Green Rebel, Kieran Ivers said: “We are so delighted to be supporting Pat as he sets out to make Irish history. Pat is brave and determined and we are all so proud of him at Green Rebel. We want to wish him the very best in the Golden Globe Race and he knows all of Ireland will be cheering him on as he takes on the challenge on Green Rebel.”

Over the course of the Golden Globe Race sailors will circumnavigate 30,000 nautical miles across some of the most dangerous seas in the world. The race is expected to take between seven and 11 months to complete. The competitors will not be permitted to use modern technology and can only use items that were available in 1968. Pat will navigate by the position of the sun using only a sextant and paper charts. Clocks must be mechanical, and there are no modern luxuries such as GPS, satellite phones, iPads, electrical auto steering and water makers. The competitors will carry all their own food, water, tools, and spare parts for the nine months at sea. 

Pat Lawless, a carpenter and former fisherman from Kerry will be the only Irish competitor in the yacht race. Pat is 66 years of age and has been sailing all his life. He is following in the footsteps of his late father (Pat Lawless Snr) who sailed around the world at the age of 70. Pat will also be raising money for Parkinson's Association of Ireland as part of the race. 

External communication with family friends or support groups will not be allowed for the duration of the race. This is the third time the Golden Globe Race has taken place and in previous years many competitors failed to complete the race.

Around 6,000 people have climbed Everest while 556 people have been to space, but only 100 people have ever sailed solo nonstop around the world via the five great capes.

The mast is everything to Pat Lawless.

So, before his yacht, Green Rebel, went back into the water this week on Valentia Island and he headed for Dingle in “a nice light breeze” on his final preparations to take part in this year’s Golden Globe solo non-stop race around the world, he had given it special attention.

Green Rebel goes back into the water at Valentia Island this week

“The five boats that sank in the last race all sank because they lost their masts. I’ve paid special attention to it and have given it extra protection.”

I talked to Pat at Crosshaven in Cork Harbour where the Boys’ National School Scoil Náisiúnta Chros tSeáin joined the Golden Globe Race Schools Programme this week to follow Pat as he “sets sail like it’s 1968, using the same type of equipment that existed then,” he told pupils.

Pat Lawless speaking to school children in Crosshaven

This week also, Foynes Yacht Club presented Pat with “a burgee to carry around the world as my father did.”

Pat Lawless at Foynes Yacht Club, which also made the top bid for a painting by Helen Stritch

Pat's final Irish port-of-departure will be from Crosshaven Boatyard on Tuesday morning next (July 26) heading for Gijon in Northern Spain, from where there will be a ‘prologue race’ to France on August 13. 

A nice breeze for Green Rebel

The Golden Globe Race itself starts on September 4, from Les Sables-d’Olonne, France. where it will also finish.  

Green Rebel goose winging in downwind sailing mode

He is a determined man and told me his time as a fisherman has given him a lot of experience, which will be useful in the race in which he is fixing so much attention on the mast into which he has put extra supports.

However, he has decided not to do what other competitors in the race are doing - he won’t have a solid sprayhood. These are a few of the personal choices he has made.

He says that dealing with a gale on a yacht will be easier than working through a gale on the deck of a fishing boat!

Pat Lawless in Dingle, Co.Kerry, as he calls to coastal areas prior to his departure for the Golden Globe Race. With him at Dingle are Michael Flynn CEO, Philip Galvin and Alex Flynn of FLI Global,co-sponsors of his Golden Globe Race entry

So, racing his yacht, Green Rebel, named after the Crosshaven company, which is the main sponsor, is basic sailing - by the seat of your pants, I suggested:

You can hear his answer and more on the Podcast here.

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 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.

North American entries are rushing across the Atlantic Ocean, while others are expected to make landfall this week in France and the United Kingdom in preparation for the Golden Globe Race.

As Afloat reported previously, Green Rebel will be the main sponsor for sailor Pat Lawless as he attempts to become the first Irish person to sail around the world non-stop as part of the race. This week the County Kerry solo sailor signed up a local national school as part of his campaign support.

27-year-old Elliott Smith left Boston USA on his Gale Force 34 on July 10th a month behind schedule. He will miss the entire Prologue, sailing direct to Les Sables d’Olonne instead. He must then undertake the compulsory eight-day World Sailing Survival Course and STCW Medical Care course prior to the start on Sept 4th. This looks unlikely, as he has the whole Atlantic to cross.

Canadian Gaurav Shinde had motored his Baba 35 from Toronto to New York, ready for his transatlantic crossing, but dislocated his shoulder while putting the mast up. Already running late, he is now using his two-week recovery time to do his STCW Medical Care course. Scheduled to depart July 20, he will not make the Gijón Prologue after his 3000-mile qualifier on an untested boat fresh out of refit. Will he make the start?

Guy deBoer, is currently mid-way in his transatlantic crossing heading to Gijón. Photo: Guy deBoer Team

In addition to the GGR compulsory survival and medical courses, there are mandatory safety briefings in both Gijón and Les Sables d’Olonne. Missing any of these will activate time and financial penalties which is highly likely.

To save time Finnish entrant Tapio Lehtinen “Captain Barnacle ” is shipping his yacht Asteria to Bilbao, Spain. During the 2018 GGR he was plagued by Barnacles that meant he was the last finisher after 322 days at sea. For 2022 he has new antifouling and is out to win! Meanwhile, New Zealander Graham Dalton, who recently retired from the GGR is now hoping to rejoin the event. This will not be considered until he completes his 2000 mile qualifying voyage and all other safety requirements before entering Gijón on 6th August.

Tapio Lehtinen chose to ship his yacht to Bilbao rather than sail her through the Baltic, Channel and Bay of Biscay

Making Landfall 

Canadian Edward Walentynowicz is completing his return crossing from Nova Scotia departing on June 20th on his Rustler 36 Noah’s Jest. He left Les Sables d’Olonne a year ago, sailing home to complete his refit and is expected back in Vendée this week.

South African Jeremy Bagshaw ends his 6000-mile journey from South Africa after a short stop in Horta to sort engine issues. He expects to make landfall in Falmouth this week, just in time to attend the rugby test match between Wales and South Africa!

Kirsten Neuschäfer, is well into her trip from Cape Town to Europe, started mid-May. Including her 7000 nm trip from Prince Edward’s Island to South Africa after refit, she now has sailed an impressive total of 13000 miles solo on Minnehaha. She is well prepared.

Kirsten Neuschäfer (South Africa) has sailed an impressive total of 13000 miles solo on « Minnehaha » already before the start of the GGR 2022. Photo @ Kirsten Neuschäfer Team

Elliott Smith’s Gale Force 34 “Second Wind” at Newburyport (USA) before setting sail across the Atlantic. Photo: Elliott Smith Team

Gijón is gearing up to welcome the sailors and their team managers, who will meet for the first time during the Prologue from 6 to 14 August for safety briefings and a final chance to relax in the Asturian port city.

The SITraN Challenge, a 280-mile course, will lead them from Gijón to the port of Sables d’Olonne, which will welcome the public in a bigger 7,000 m2 village from 20 August to 4 September, departure date of the 18 skippers around the world. The number of entrants is now 18 out of the original 30 paying entries, the same number as in the second edition four years ago.

The GGR is a race of attrition rather than performance, a journey to the finish that in many ways has already begun, and this year is no exception!

Golden Globe Race 2022 Entrants (to date)

Golden Globe Race 2022 Entrants

1. Abhilash Tomy (43) / India / Rustler 36
2. Aleix Selles Vidal (34) / Spain / Rustler 36
3. Arnaud Gaist (50) / France / BARBICAN 33 MKII (long keel version)
4. Damien Guillou (39) / France / Rustler 36
5. Edward Walentynowicz (68) / Canada / Rustler 36
6. Elliott Smith (27) / USA / Gale Force 34
7. Ertan Beskardes (60) / UK / Rustler 36
8. Gaurav Shinde (35) / Canada / Baba 35
9. Guy deBoer (66) / USA / Tashiba 36
10. Guy Waites (54) / UK / Tradewind 35
11. Ian Herbert Jones (52) / UK / Tradewind 35
12. Jeremy Bagshaw (59) / South Africa / OE32
13. Kirsten Neuschafer (39) / South Africa / Cape George 36
14. Mark Sinclair (63) / Australia / Lello 34
15. Michael Guggenberger (44) / Austria / Biscay 36
16. Pat Lawless (66) / Ireland / Saga 36
17. Simon Curwen (63) / UK / Biscay 36
18. Tapio Lehtinen (64) / Finland / Gaia 36 Masthead sloop 

Bring your own cup of tea, biscuits, glass of something stronger…. plan to sit back, unwind and enjoy watching and listening to the adventurous Pat Lawless as he tells Killaloe Sailing Club and everyone else the story tonight (Wednesday) at 7.30 pm of his plans to undertake the Golden Globe Race in 2022 in a 36ft Saltram Saga.

A solo, non-stop round the world sailing race, unassisted by any technology other than a compass, sextant, the stars and sun; sailing in the spirit of Brendan the Navigator and Edward Conor Marshall O'Brien.

No Irish person has achieved this to date. It is the longest, loneliest sporting event in the World. Nine months at sea alone in a small boat.

Zoom link here

A second son of the late solo circumnavigator Pat Lawless from Limerick has announced plans to follow in his father's wake and sail solo around the world.

Peter and his brother Pat, both based in County Kerry, are embarking on separate solo circumnavigation over the next two years emulating the world-girdling exploits of their father in 1997.

It's a feat that could see the siblings achieve the feat of being the first Irish sailors to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigations of the world.

Peter Lawless - solo voyage

Peter (52) will begin an eight-month voyage in August 2021, such timing that will mean he will be should be home before his older brother Pat departs for France and the start of the 2022 Golden Globe Race in September 2022.

In August Peter, who lives in Annascaul near Dingle, plans to sail solo, non-stop, unassisted around the world from Ireland back to Ireland via the five great capes, using a sextant and paper charts as his primary navigation tools.

Peter estimates the trip will take him approximately eight month's non-stop in the Rival 41, Waxwing, a standard production offshore cruising yacht that upgraded for the challenge. Check out his video below.

Peter Lawless on his Rival 41, Waxwing

As regular Afloat readers will recall, this will be the second circumnavigation for Waxwing. It was the boat used by Peter and Susan Gray two sailing adventurers of the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire who completed an eight-year trip around the world in the yacht in 2003.

Pat Lawless - Golden Globe 2022 Race entrant

As Afloat previously reported, Pat (66), from Ballyferriter, will be following Dublin sailor Gregor McGuckin, a competitor in the 2018 Golden Globe race, when he crosses the line of the 2022 race.

He aims to finish what McGuckin started in the 50th anniversary of the Golden Globe Race and become the first Irishman to complete a non-stop, unassisted solo circumnavigation of the world. 

Pat revealed the depths of his ambition when he told Afloat over the Christmas "I would not sail solo nonstop around the World, unless it was a race, that I had a fair hope of winning".

He says he is 'delighted' with his Saltram Saga 36, a 'safe and fast' boat, currently on the hard in Dingle Harbour, County Kerry.

Pat Lawless's Saltram Saga 36 is craned out at Dingle Harbour in County Kerry. A lot of work done has been done to prepare the boat for the 20202 Golden Globe Race, but there is plenty left to do, says the Kerry skipper

Over the last six decades, Pat has amassed around 150,000km on the water between sailing and fishing. In the build-up to the GGR, Lawless is planning a voyage to Iceland this summer. 

"I will sail to the island of Jan Mayen in the Arctic next year, Going around Iceland on the way. Been over 25 years since I sailed there" he told Afloat.

"Hopefully, if COVID-19 permits I will sail around Ireland also, stopping in many ports," he adds.