50 years of sailing history on display on the Solent THE OGR is ON!

10th September 2023

• The 50th anniversary of the Whitbread honoured with perfect start.
•  CAPTAIN COCONUT AND EXPLORER AU (28) TAKES THE LINE!!
•  Emotional scenes at final farewell for 144 crew departing on Leg 1 of the Ocean Globe Race. Southampton to Cape Town 
•  1973 Whitbread relived as Royal Yacht Squadron cannons signal start of the OGR. 
•  Hundreds of spectator boats flood the Solent supporting the 14 iconic yacts.

 Translated 9 ITL (09), Pen Duick VI FR (14) and Explorer AU (28) neck-and-neck across the line.

McIntyre OCEAN GLOBE 2023 – COPYRIGHT FREE for Editorial Use. Finally, they’re off! The French battlingL’Esprit d’équipe FR (85), Evrika FR (07) passing the Needles enroute to Cape Town.Credit: Tim Bishop/PPL

History was made anew yesterday as the cannons of the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes, signaled the start of the inaugural McIntyre Ocean Globe mirroring the original 1973 Whitbread.

Hundreds of spectators boats witnessed the stunning scenes as the 14 iconic yachts crossed the start line en route to Cape Town

With seven former Whitbread yachts amongst the fleet, the OGR has its roots firmly in sailing history but now also looking to the future for sailors chasing adventure and a life less ordinary.     

McIntyre OCEAN GLOBE 2023 – COPYRIGHT FREE for Editorial Use. 144 crews sailing leg 1. Selfie Time! Don’s the only one allowed to have a iPhone!! Crew’s phone already sealed in grab bag for next 40plus days as part of the racing like its 1973 retro racing rules. Credit: Tim Bishop/PPL

An extremely busy day, it started early with crews surrendering all modern technology for the next forthy-plus days. The OGR, a retro race in the spirit of the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race, means no computers, no GPS, and no high-tech materials. Sextants and paper charts will guide those taking on the infamous Cape Horn, Southern Ocean and brain melting doldrums.  

Then tearful, final farewells at MDL Ocean Village marina as family and friends waved off those embarking on their epic eight-month adventure. Teams paraded from the race village to the pontoons after each receiving a commemorative gold coin.  “WOW! What a fantastic start that not only brought back memories of the past but set the scene for an eight month battle around the world. This is going to be quite an adventure and to top that, EXPLORER won the start! The objective is to finish and that is a long way to go. Good luck to all the crews.” said Don McIntyre Race Founder and Sponsor.  

McIntyre OCEAN GLOBE 2023 – COPYRIGHT FREE for Editorial Use. Ville Nora, has been part of theFinnish National Opera Choir and now entertains the crowds singing “At Sea” as Galiana WithSecure FI (06) leaves to sail around the World. Credit: Tim Bishop/PPL

McIntyre OCEAN GLOBE 2023 – COPYRIGHT FREE for Editorial Use. Showing off her sails, Galiana WithSecure FI (06) testing how many sails you can hoist at once! Credit: Aida Valceanu / OGR 2023

Emotions overflowed as lines slipped at 09:30 am, Explorer AU (28) and Steran SFA (42) leading the fleet towards the Royal Yacht Squadron start line, Cowes, for the 13:00hrs start. They were followed at five-minute intervals by Galiana WithSecure FI (06), Neptune FR (56), Maiden UK (03), Spirit of Helsinki FI (71), Translated 9 IT (09), White Shadow ESP (17), Outlaw AU (08), L’Esprit d’équipe FR (85), Evrika FR (07), Triana FR (66), Godspeed USA (01) and finally Pen Duick VI FR (14).

It was the sight of skipper Marie Tabarly at the helm of Pen Duick VI exiting MDL Ocean Village marina that summed up what the McIntyre OGR means to so many people. Pen Duick VI was dismasted twice in the 1973 Whitbread when skippered by Marie’s father, Éric Tabarly. Neptune, Spirit of Helsinki (formerly Frazer), Translated 9 (formerly ADC Accutrac), Outlaw (formerly Equity and Law) and Maiden, all Whitbread veterans. L’Esprit d’équipe a former Whitbread winner also returned. There’s a lot to prove in this race. 

McIntyre OCEAN GLOBE 2023 – COPYRIGHT FREE for Editorial Use. All action onboard Pen Duick VI FR (14), sailing is serious business! Pen Duick VI is one of the five French entrants. Credit: Aida Valceanu / OGR 2023

Being the only UK entrant, Maiden proved popular with the local crowds with a rapturous cheer sending them on their way. The all-female team were waved off by Tracy Edwards MBE, who skippered Maiden for the 1989 Whitbread. 

L’Espit d’équipe, Whitbread winner (1985). She has competed three times and so felt and looked right at home on the start line. 

McIntyre OCEAN GLOBE 2023 – COPYRIGHT FREE for Editorial Use. L’Esprit d’équipe FR (85) showing us how to fly a spinnaker. A three time Whitbread entrant they know what they?re doing. Credit: Aida Valceanu / OGR2023

The predicted light winds might have suited the many supporters on RIBs and smaller vessels but made navigating slightly more challenging for the yachts. Meanwhile the 200 guests onboard the official start boat, the Steamship Shieldhall, enjoyed the prized vantage point for the start line. 

At 13:00hr the Royal Yacht Squadron cannons signaled the start of the much-anticipated race. The rain stopped, the sun came out and the wind blew just enough. With a 1 knot tide ebbing westerly for the first hour and a East, North Easterly wind blowing 10 knots, tactics were crucial. 

Explorer crosses the line in first position at 10:00:16 am, Spirit of Helsinki a breath behind at 10:00:42am, Translated 9 at 10:01am. By sunset, Translated 9 was leading the fleet.   

McIntyre OCEAN GLOBE 2023 – COPYRIGHT FREE for Editorial Use. Captain Coconut and his crew on Explorer AU (28) crosses the line first!! One of two Australian, we could see a little internal race between Explorer and Outlaw AU (08) Credit: Aida Valceanu / OGR2023

Brian Hancock, OGR race commentator, sailed in the 1981 Whitbread on Alaska Eagle and in the 1985 edition race on Drum. He was on the startline and understood exactly what this race means to people.  "I did this race when I was just a nipper and it feels exactly the same today. The same enthusiasm, the same spirit, it's just spectacular. The start was great, no problems, no incidents. It really, really feels like we’re back in the 1970s." Said by Brian.

By early afternoon the fleet were passing the Needles, spinnakers were flying and the crews were settling into their watches. 

The results of years of commitment, determination and desire to step outside the norm and have a life changing adventure is being realised as the yachts heel over, pick up the wind and embark on their 6,500 mile journey into the unknown. 

McIntyre OCEAN GLOBE 2023 – COPYRIGHT FREE for Editorial Use. Translated 9 IT (09) taking an early lead at sunset. The only Italian entrant, she sailed in the 1977 Whitbread, as ADC Accutrac. Credit: Aida Valceanu / OGR2023

Good luck to you all, hold on and enjoy the ride!!! And for those following – this is going to be exciting! Sailing like its 1973!!!

The Route

•  Leg 1: 6500 miles. Southampton to Cape Town
•  Leg 2: 6650 miles. Cape Town to Auckland. Start date – 5th November 2023 
•  Leg 3: 8500 miles. Auckland to Punta del Este. Start date – 14th March 2024
•  Leg 4: 5500 miles. Punta del Este to Southampton. Start date – 5th March 2024
•  Finish Expected: 1-10 April 2024

How to Follow the Race

Watch the Start Live from our Youtube channel, click Like and Subscribe, THANKS!

oceangloberace.com

About the Ocean Globe Race

The Ocean Globe Race (OGR) is a fully crewed retro race in the spirit of the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race to mark the 50th Anniversary of the original event. Starting at MDL’s Ocean Village Marina, Southampton UK on September 10th, 2023, the OGR is a 27,000-mile sprint around the Globe divided into four legs, taking in the Southern Ocean and the three great Capes. The fleet is divided in three classes for a total of 14 entries. Stopovers will include Cape Town in South Africa, Auckland in New Zealand, and Punta del Este in Uruguay, before finishing back to the UK in April 2024.

Historic Whitbread Round the World Race pictures Click here to view PPL’s historic library of Whitbread/Volvo round the world race images. If you are a new user of PPL’s PhotoShelter Picture Library, you will be asked to register for a free sign-in at pplmedia.photoshelter.com/signup/. You will then receive a verification email. If it does not arrive immediately, check your spam folder.   To view other pictures within the Library,  click on 'Galleries' at the top of the page, and then click the collection ‘Pictures of Yesteryear’ or  ‘Watersports & Sub Aqua’  located on the left-hand side.  You can  then drop down the menu to reveal all the galleries You can also locate individual boats, races, scenes or people via the keyword search box (top left).   Boats are listed under boat name, owner/skipper and when known, sail No.  Alternatively e.mail ppl@mistral.co.uk  or call Barry Pickthall on +44 (0)7768 395719 with your requirements