Explores the race’s technical, human, and historical dimensions, highlighting the Vendée Globe as a premier test of sailing skill, technological innovation, and personal resilience.
Historical Context
• Evolved from the 1968 Golden Globe Race
• First won by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston
• Represents pinnacle of solo ocean racing technology and human endurance
During the last 10 years, sailing technology in the Americas has made its greatest advancement since 1900. The US national park service provided some valuable insights in presentations made during the AC34. Evolution then Revolution Prior or to 2,000, multiple generations of family members slowly evolved fixed foil on center-line designs, moving the builds from wood, mettle,…
The Royal Thames Yacht Club (RTYC) is one of the oldest yacht clubs in the world, founded in 1775 1 2 3. But it credits the start of it all to the Starcross Yacht Club which as The Starcross Society (a dining club) held a regatta in 1775 known as the Fete Marine. 10,000 spectators…
Longboarding itself originated in Hawaii in the 1950s, when surfers sought to bring surfing to land. They created a new kind of skateboard made of thick plywood shaped into a smaller version of a surfboard, with trucks and wheels screwed to the decks, and used their surfing moves on small hills. Longboarding became popular in…
Held every three years, The Ocean Race is one of the most popular spectator sports after Formula 1 and the World Cup. The boats use water as the primary form of ballast.
King of Sports and King of Beers Would you do it again? I seek the answer at Seattle Clipper Race Village where I spot a childhood hero, Robin Johnston. He notices that I have taken his picture but is busy. I look for my answer from other Clipper Race participants. Perhaps 40 percent of the…
In 1954 the Olin Stephens designed yacht Finisterre was launched, to late for the Bermuda race that year. She was a 38 foot centerboarder and there is no more accomplished racing yacht. She ranks as one of the most significant yachts in the history of the sport. Carleton Mitchell, the owner of Finisterre, is the…
“It should be more like Formula One, where you have races all around the world and all the races count toward the Championship.” Larry Ellison in 10 March 2014 San Francisco Chronicle. Regattas all over the world, Louis Vuitton Cup then America’s Cup in Honolulu is the current Vision. AC45s followed by AC60s but…
Lady Washington On the east coast of the United States the warming and cooling land mass does not create winds that fully overcome the ocean weather or trade winds that a very tall mast can capture. Hence, for some commercial sailing vessels following the same courses trip after trip, the taller masts were desirable even though…
Airplane pilots are attracted to sailing because there are many skills that transfer between the two activities. For example, both require knowledge of navigation, weather, and wind patterns. Pilots can use their knowledge of aerodynamics to understand how to harness the power of the wind in sailing. Additionally, sailing can help pilots develop their situational…