Ocean Globe Race departs Southampton - live updates

Last boat departs

Graduate onboard

A University of Southampton graduate is preparing to sail in the prestigious Ocean Globe Race 2023, commencing this Sunday (September 10) from Southampton’s Ocean Village.

Anne De Kerviler, an avid sailor – graduated this summer with an MA in Ship Science - she will be competing with 14 other yachts in the four-leg, 27,000-mile race around the world.

Her journey will start in Southampton, setting sail at 13:00pm before heading over to South Africa, then to Auckland (New Zealand), Punta del Este (Uruguay) and back to Southampton in April 2024.

This race is different from others in the past for a number of reasons as explained by Anne: “It is an eight-month race around the world on yachts designed before 1988 to mark the fiftieth anniversary since the first Globe Race in 1973 - The Whitbread.

“There will be no computers, or GPS so a great way to embrace nature and the stars in the skies.” 

Anne will be part of 12 for Team Pen Duick VI, a French racing team led by female captain Marie Tabarly, daughter of famous French sailor Eric Tabarly.

Anne added: “I am most excited about the experience and just being a part of it, but also passing the equator and going south as this is such an achievement for a sailor, it is a lot less travelled which makes it pretty cool to achieve.”

Speaking when she opened the Race Village last month, the Lord Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Valerie Laurent, said: “It was a privilege to open the race village today. Ocean Globe Race is an iconic yacht race that we are once again very lucky to have departing from Southampton.

"I hope to see lots of families make the most of all the free activities and events available over the next twelve days. Best of luck to those competing.”

Sailors are departing Southampton today ahead of the race start later.

It begins at the  Royal Yacht Squadron start line, Cowes.

The start line can be seen off the beaches in Gurnard, Isle of Wight or Lepe Beach in the New Forest.

Some 219 crew representing 23 nationalities will take part over the four legs - 157 men and 62 women. More than 140 sailors sail in the first leg.

Race day

Hello and welcome to our blog on the Ocean Globe Race.

It leaves from Ocean Village in Southampton and supporters are gathered to cheer on the skippers and crew.

Jens Hongell and Leena Hongell supporting their son Mikko who is setting sail (Image: Maya George)