Competitors
Nine competitors participated in the race. Most of these had at least some prior sailing experience, although only Carozzo had competed in a major ocean race prior to the Golden Globe Race. The following table lists the entrants in order of starting, together with their prior sailing experience, and achievements in the race:
| Name / Nationality | Boat | Previous sailing | Start | Result | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Ridgway | English Rose IV 30 foot (9.1 m) sloop |
Fastnet Rock single-handed (and rowed the Atlantic) | Inishmore 1 June 1968 |
retired | Recife, Brazil 21 July 1968 |
| Chay Blyth | Dytiscus III 30 foot (9.1 m) sloop |
no sailing at all (but rowed the Atlantic) | Hamble 8 June 1968 |
retired | East London 17 September 1968 |
| Robin Knox-Johnston | Suhaili 32 foot (9.8 m) ketch |
India to UK in Suhaili | Falmouth 14 June 1968 |
finished | Falmouth 22 April 1969 |
| Loïck Fougeron | Captain Browne 30 foot (9.1 m) gaff cutter |
Morocco to Plymouth | Plymouth 22 August 1968 |
retired | Saint Helena 27 November 1968 |
| Bernard Moitessier | Joshua 39 foot (12 m) ketch |
Tahiti–France, via Cape Horn |
Plymouth 22 August 1968 |
retired | Tahiti 21 June 1969 |
| Bill King | Galway Blazer II 42 foot (13 m) junk schooner |
Transatlantic, West Indies |
Plymouth 24 August 1968 |
retired | Cape Town 22 November 1968 |
| Nigel Tetley | Victress 40 foot (12 m) trimaran |
1966 Round Britain Race | Plymouth 16 September 1968 |
sank, rescued |
north Atlantic 21 May 1969 |
| Alex Carozzo | Gancia Americano 66 foot (20 m) ketch |
Trans-Pacific, 1968 OSTAR |
Cowes 31 October 1968 |
retired | Porto 14 November 1968 |
| Donald Crowhurst | Teignmouth Electron 40 foot (12 m) trimaran |
day / weekend | Teignmouth 31 October 1968 |
committed suicide |
north Atlantic 1 July 1969 |
Read more about this topic: Sunday Times Golden Globe Race