The Ocean Globe Race is currently enjoying an Auckland stopover, after the lead boats finished Leg 2 in mid-December.

The “no technology” event has attracted 14 entries – double that of recent fully crewed around the world races. Five of the boats competing in the “Flyer” class are past Whitbread Round the World Race competitors – Pen Duick VI, L’Esprit d’équipe, Maiden, Neptune and Translated 9 (the former ADC Accutrac).

The event marks the 50th anniversary of the first Whitbread Round the World Race sailed in 1973/74, which attracted 17 entries. The boats sail the old Whitbread course of just four Legs.

“No Technology” means the boats have to race using the same technology available in the first Whitbread race – no computers, no satellite communications, no GPS, and no high-tech materials. Sextants are used for navigation. To be eligible for the race competitors must have been designed before 1988. Grinding stations replace power winches, and while some have added fixed hatch cowls, for much of the sailing the crew is just as exposed to the elements as ever.

The with Emirates Team New Zealand base adjoining the race fleet, the contrast between the foiling, cyclor powered monohulls based in the same marina, and the 36 year old round the world boats, could not be more marked.

Leg 3 starts on January 14, be sure to have a close look at the fleet and reflect on sailing history.

by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com