From the incredible send-off in Les Sables d’Olonne to one of the hardest decisions a solo sailor can make — this is Guy deBoer’s onboard story from the opening days of the 2026 Golden Globe Race. 🌊⛵
On 6 September, 70-year-old Guy left Les Sables surrounded by thousands of cheering spectators, full of ambition:
“I entered the race to win a race.”
His goal was simple — sail safe, sail hard and sail efficiently — with around 200 days of solo ocean racing ahead.
But as Guy headed south toward Lanzarote, the voyage became increasingly emotional.
Four years after Spirit went onto the rocks at Fuerteventura during the previous Golden Globe Race, Guy found himself reflecting on everything that had happened since — the boat saved, rebuilt, and back at sea for another attempt around the world.
Then came a much more serious concern.
An abnormality around the port aft D1 chainplate area, first noticed shortly before the start, became increasingly worrying at sea. Guy eventually concluded that continuing without inspecting and repairing it could risk both his boat and his life.
On 17 September, he made the painful decision to step away from the main GGR racing division and investigate whether repairs could allow him to continue his round-the-world adventure under the Chichester Class.
This is Guy’s story in his own words — excitement, memories, ambition, uncertainty and finally one of the hardest calls a skipper has to make.
In this onboard diary:
00:12 — Minutes before leaving the dock
00:56 — The oldest and youngest GGR2026 skippers side by side
01:19 — Thousands line the Les Sables d’Olonne channel
02:22 — Guy checks in six days into the race
03:17 — Memories of his 2022 Fuerteventura grounding
03:47 — “I entered the race to win a race”
06:08 — The difficult decision begins
06:42 — Guy explains the chainplate concern
07:06 — “I fear…risk not only the boat but my life”
08:35 — Reflections after speaking with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston
09:08 — Guy prepares to inform the GGR team
The race may have changed for Guy deBoer — but the adventure is not over.
Follow the continuing story of Guy and Spirit as he fights to stay part of the #GGR2026 adventure.
Note: Video is Part 1 of Guy’s journey from the Golden Globe Race start in Les Sables-d’Olonne on 6 September 2026 to the first film gate in Lanzarote.
Guy’s profile: https://goldengloberace.com/skippers/guy-deboer/
🌍 GGR 2026 Live Tracker: https://goldengloberace.com/live-tracker/
Footage available to accredited media at: https://goldengloberace.com/media/
Onboard footage: Guy deBoer / GGR 2026
#GuyDeBoer #GoldenGlobeRace #GGR2026 #SoloSailing #OceanRacing #Sailing #Spirit #ChichesterClass #LesSablesDOlonne #Lanzarote
