The 2018 Golden Globe Race will be sailed under the auspices of the Royal Nomuka Yacht Club in the Kingdom of Tonga. His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto'a Ulukalala has agreed to become Patron of the Race.
Race founder Don McIntyre has close links with these Pacific islands. In 2012 the Australian adventurer led a 4-man re-enactment of the Mutiny of the Bounty voyage from Tonga to West Timor, in a similar boat and with same limited supplies available to Captain Bligh 221 years before.
The Royal Nomuka Yacht Club is the world's youngest Royal club, formed on October 22 this year as part of a joint initiative between HRH The Crown Prince and McIntyre to establish a sailing base and adventure centre on the otherwise deserted island of Nomuka to encourage Tongan youth to take up sailing as a sport and cultural activity.
"For Nomuka and Tonga to be involved with the Golden Globe Race is exciting," said HRH the Crown Prince Tupouto'a Ulukalala, adding. "Tonga was once a great sailing nation. I wish all entrants safe sailing and extend an open invitation to visit our beautiful Islands and the Royal Nomuka Yacht Club"
Tonga is one of many Pacific Island nations directly impacted by the effects of climate change and rising sea levels. Situated on the southern tip of the Ha'Apai group of islands, the foreshore is under attack from coastal erosion, and the clubhouse (to be built in 2016) on Nomuka IKI will be only two meters above sea level. The Island is surrounded by some of the most diverse corals in the world and is also the home of Humpback whales and turtles, two species struggling to survive under human impacts in the changing environment.
All GGR entrants will become Honorary Members of the Royal Nomuka Yacht Club for the duration of the Race, and those that complete the 27,000-mile solo circumnavigation will become Life Members of the club.
McIntyre, who is the Royal Nomuka Yacht Club Commodore said today: "When you live in such a pure environment on this beautiful island, swim with Humpback whales and turtles, and are surrounded by pristine corals, it is devastating to then see how rising sea levels are impacting on these remote parts of the Globe. This change is a barometer of what we do to our planet. I know every entrant in the GGR is at one with the ocean, and together we hope to highlight some of the issues about climate change and motivate everyone to think about their lifestyle and carbon foot print."
250 years ago, Tongans ruled much of the Pacific thanks to their superb sailing skills in giant Vakas twin-hulled voyaging canoes that left even Captain Cook impressed and amazed by their ability to sail to windward. Now there are virtually no sailing canoes in Tonga, so McIntyre is launching a programme to re-introduce the lost art of Vaka sailing to the youth of Tonga.
"We hope to build 12 Vakas over the next four years and create a formal Vaka sail training programme" said McIntyre, adding, "Maybe some of the GGR entrants will visit after the Race and enjoy traditional sailing in this Pacific paradise"