The Golden Globe Race 2018 will be voyaged under the auspices of Royal Nomuka Yacht Club in Kingdom of Tonga. Crown Prince Tupoutoa Ulukalala, His Royal Highness, has given his consent to become Patron of the Race. The Golden Globe Race conference in London was also attended by the Tongan High Commissioner in London Sione Sonata Topou.
Don McIntyre, the founder of the race, has very close links with these Pacific islands. In the year 2012, this Aussie adventurer led a four-man re-enactment of Mutiny of the Bounty sail from Tonga to the West Timor, in a same type of yacht.
Royal Nomuka Yacht Club is the youngest Royal club in the world, founded on 22nd October, this year as part of a collaborative enterprise between His Royal Highness The Crown Prince and Don McIntyre to made a sailing base, that can also be a great adventure centre, on this otherwise desolated island of Nomuka to encourage the youth of Tonga to take up sailing as a sport as well as cultural activity.
HRH the Crown Prince Tupoutoa Ulukalala said that for Nomuka and Tonga to be involved with the Golden Globe Race is exciting. Tonga was once a great sailing nation. He wish all entrants safe sailing and extend an open invitation to visit this beautiful Islands as well as the Royal Nomuka Yacht Club.
Falmouth has been confirmed as the start line and the finish line for the Golden Globe Race 2018, where Sir Robin Knox-Johnston started and finished his historic voyage back in 1968-1969.