Gearing up for Golden Globe

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Two competitors in the 2018 Golden Globe solo non-stop round the world race have chosen Falmouth Boat Co to refit their yachts – both of which were originally built at the Flushing boatyard.

Antoine Cousot (France) and Nabil Amra (USA/Palestine) have selected Biscay 36 class ketch yachts for the 27,000 mile retro non-stop circumnavigation.

The race will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s major achievement in becoming the first to sail solo non-stop around the world. After leaving Falmouth in 1968 he returned 312 days later as the sole finisher in the original Sunday Times Golden Globe Race.

Falmouth Boat Co built 29 of the traditional long keeled yachts between 1975 and 1990. In unexpected symmetry, Cousot’s yacht was the first built and Amra’s the last.

Cousot has bought ‘Vizcaya’, the first of these production yachts, launched in 1975, and Nabil Amra has ‘Ele May’, the last to be built back in 1990. Falmouth Boat Co will extensively refit both yachts for the marathon ahead and relaunch them for May 2017.

Jonathan Fielding, owner of Falmouth Boat Co, is delighted to welcome both yachts back.

He said: “This yard has a natural affinity with the Golden Globe Race since it saw the build of several boats for the original event in 1968, including these two.

“We’re delighted that Antoine and Nabil have commissioned us to prepare their boats for this special race. With the boatyard steeped in so much history, it seems only right.”