Challenge 67 – The Story
Hrimfare carries an iconic story as one of the specially designed steel yachts in “The World’s Toughest Yacht Race" – The Global Challenge – initiated by Sir Chay Blyth in 1992. At the time, it was the ultimate sailing challenge for amateur sailors and is still considered one of the most iconic sailing competition races. Ten identical Challenge 67-foot yachts were built and crewed by ordinary men and women and sailed westwards around the world, against prevailing winds and currents. The route and race, referred to as the "wrong way" covered a distance of some 29,000 nm (54,000 km). At the time, it was the ultimate sailing challenge for amateur sailors.
One professional skipper and 13 amateur crew members.
Hrimfare in her first role...as Toshiba, competing in the world's toughest race. From the BT Global Challenge 2000-2001. Cred Mark Denton
A 1991 design of a solid ice-classified steel yacht with comfort for 14 crew members.
The Global Challenge was started by Sir Chay Blyth in 1989. It was held every four years, and took a fleet of one-design steel yachts, crewed by ordinary men and women who have paid to take part, round Cape Horn and through the Southern Ocean where winds can reach 70 kn (35 m/sec).
In 1971, yachtsman Sir Chay Blyth CBE, BEM, became the first person to sail non-stop westwards around the world. Credit: Getty
The seeds of the race were sown in Blyth's previous sailing exploits. In 1970/71 he became the first person to sail alone round the world westabout in the yacht British Steel. The practicality of training people who had never sailed before was demonstrated during the 1973/74 Whitbread Around the World race, when Blyth had raced Great Britain II with a crew from the Parachute Regiment.
The first race started from Southampton in September 1992 with 10 identical Challenge 67 ft.
From BT Global Challenge 2000-01. Cred: Mark Denton
A wet and windy video from back in the days...