A Look Back at the 77-78 Ocean Globe Race

The second edition of the Whitbread Round the World Race cemented the race's place as a fixture and pillar event in the sport of sailing. Dutchman Conny van Rietschoten would claim the race on corrected time in Flyer, a Sparksman and Stephens design that can still be seen sailing today. Clare Francis became the first woman to skipper a boat in the race and Sir Peter Blake, making his second Whitbread appearance as one of the crew on board Heath's Condor, was forced to make a spectacular man overboard rescue in the Southern Ocean. 15 boats would start the race in Portsmouth and all 15 completed the four-leg, 27,000 nautical mile course. The 50th anniversary edition is taking place now. https://oceangloberace.com/