Golden Globe Race 2022: Michael Guggenberger, third in Les Sables, completes (…]

However, he made up for his relative inexperience with extraordinary passion and dedication, which allowed him to appear on the starting line and finish his race in 249 days. It was received at Les Sables d’Olonne by Kirsten Neuschfer (ZAF), Abhilash Tomy (IND), Simon Curwen (GBR) and Ertan Beskardes (GBR) as well as hundreds of enthusiasts on the canal and on stage.

Nori Sardin, the indestructible Biscay literal campaign

Originally planning to race in the 2018 GGR on Endurance 35, he then changed mounts and bought a Biscay 36 gr in Antoine Cousot (FRA) ketch, then rebuilt and rebuilt it with his team manager Stefan Weigel (GER), transforming an agile cruiser into a floating safe able to face the worst conditions.

Nouri’s trip around the world without major problems is due to Michael’s organized preparation and our concept that allowed him to face all possible problems. When he asked for an electrical renovation, we decided it made more sense to teach him how, rather than give him room. It turned out to be prudent, especially due to the restrictions imposed by Covid, almost to Gijon, in Spain, for the final preparation of the boat.

Stefan Weigel, Team Manager and Producer Nuri Sardins.

Nouri Sardines, an artisanal sardine manufacturer based in Matosinhos, Portugal, appreciated the artisan side of Michael’s race and willingness, and joined his campaign just in time, giving him a welcome boost to cross the line. Departure in good conditions. Michael may have run out of water in the Pacific Ocean, wondering if he could finish his world tour without stopping to refuel, but he never runs out of sardines!

Everyone, Nouri, has been following Michael closely for the past eight months. We admire his achievement and are incredibly proud of it. Just seeing him start with this group of seasoned sailors last September was an amazing moment. The fact that he was able to finish the season out of only three out of sixteen starters is almost unbelievable. We are truly honored to be able to be a part of his journey.

Jacob Glatz, Glatz & Co. / Nuri Sardins

Michael’s goal of 250 has been met, the number of days he has been at sea around the world without major damage or repair. This testifies both to the preparatory work done to Nuri Sardin, but also to the relatively conservative manner of her captain’s sailing. The Austrian adventurer made good use of the ketchup to always have the correct set of sails for the weather conditions faced. He proved faster in the South Atlantic, and greatly improved his daily averages by sailing faster with less sailing area, without pushing the boat unnecessarily.

Dance floor treat

Each of the sailors had their own way of dealing with the isolation and lack of exercise on board on this round of the world, some reading books, others playing or going swimming. Michael danced whenever he could, whipped up a disco ball and played his favorite tunes on tape, which is perhaps the largest (if not the only) collection of electro and industrial art music ever recorded on audiotape!

Michael also managed the solitude during the long Pacific and 100° latitude crossing of the Atlantic, from Cape Horn to Les Sables-d’Olonne, thanks to regular contact on HF radio with other sailors around him, which also led to lasting friendships with Kirsten Neuschfer, Abhilash Tommy, and Jeremy Bagshaw.

GGR has been a great trip, it really changed during the long preparation before departure, and it changed in more ways than I could have imagined in my 249 days at sea.

Michael Gouge, Skipper, Norrie Sardines

Third place on an unprecedented podium in ocean racing

By defying the odds and surviving this race of attrition where the rate of attrition is the highest in the world, Michael has climbed to the third and final place in the general classification. Thus, he reaches a podium unprecedented in an ocean race, and even less so in a race around the world alone and without stopping. India and Austria may not yet be well known in the sailing world, but these skippers have proven themselves to be true ambassadors for the sport. South Africa is a recognized windsurfing nation, but has never before reached the stage of victory in a race around the world.

Although we once again recorded a high attrition rate, the arrival was exciting. We have the first woman to win a race around the world on her own, a competitor returning after nearly losing her life four years ago, and a sailor from a landlocked nation who started sailing twelve years ago. All this for an unprecedented platform made up of South Africa, India and Austria.

Don McIntyre, Founder and President of GGR