Dateline: Les Sables d’Olonne, France.
The 2018 Golden Globe Race, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the original event back in 1968/9 which led to the first solo non-stop circumnavigation, will now start from Les Sables d’Olonne France on Sunday July 1st 2018.
Les Sables d’Olonne, which also hosts the start and finish of the 4-yearly Vendee Globe solo non-stop round the world race in Open 60 class yachts, is now a partner in the 2018 Golden Globe Race and will host a 2-week celebration to the origins of solo sailing in the port prior to the start.
At a press conference held in Les Sables d’Olonne today, Yannick Moreau, President of the Sables d’Olonne Agglomeration said:
“The port of Les Sables d’Olonne, home of the Vendée Globe, is happy to welcome the ‘Golden Globe Race’, the father of all the solo round the world events, a pure race that places man and not the machine at the heart of this maritime adventure.
The Golden Globe Race 2018 could not have chosen a better port in Europe to organize the start and finish of such a legendary race which has attracted so many sailors and adventurers from all over the world.
The Sables d’Olonne agglomeration, the city and the Vendée partners will be happy to offer the Vendée Globe channel and public support to these adventurers who will take off from Les Sables on July 1, 2018, 50 years after Knox –Johnston, Bernard Moitessier and their companions on the “long route”.
The Golden Globe Race will also be an opportunity for Les Sables d’Olonne to reinforce its popularity with lovers of the sea all around the world.
This is a maritime adventure with a capital “A.” Welcome to Les Sables d’Olonne!”
