Gamesa (the former Ecover 3) was designed by the Owen-Clarke design studio in 2007. Mike Golding knows the boat well, having competed aboard her in the 2008-2009 Vendée Globe. Since then, Gamesa has had a lot of work done on her to prepare her for the 2012 edition of the solo non-stop round the world race.
Les skippers
Mike Golding / Gamesa > All skippers
-
Nationality:
- Residence: Southampton, Hampshire (UK)
- Birth date: born in 1960 in Great Yarmouth
-
Vendée Globe achievements:
This will be his fourth entry in the Vendée Globe (7th in 2000/01 and 3rd in 2004/05, retired in 2008-2009)
- Boat: Gamesa
- Web Site: http://fr.mikegolding.com
- Situation: Married with one child
Boat
and specifications: :
- Designer: Owen Clarke Design
- Boatyard: Hakes Marine Construction (Wellington, New Zealand)
- Launch date: August 2007
- Length: 18.28 m (60’)
- Beam: 5.80 m (19’)
- Draught: 4.50 m (14’ 9’’)
- Displacement (weight): 8300kg
- Number of daggerboards: 2
- Mast height: 27 m (88’ 6’’)
- Keel blade : carbon
- Upwind sail surface: 300 m2
- Downwind sail surface: 580 m2
Presentation
Fighting Spirit
Certainly one of the favourites. The former professional firefighter will be one to watch in the next Vendée Globe, which will be his fouth. Seventh in the 2001 race and third in 2005 after achieving the feat of sailing his boat home to Les Sables d’Olonne after she lost her keel, the Englishman was hoping to get the better over his “froggy” rivals in 2008-09. But when his boat was dismasted in the middle of the Indian Ocean, his hopes were dashed, just after he had taken the lead in the race.
Specialising at the same time in sailing around the world the “wrong” way, which he has done both as a solo yachtsman and as part of a crew, Mike has a wealth of experience and is the strongest of fighting spirits. Showing total determination, he leaves nothing to chance either and over the past twenty five years plying the seven seas has made him a giant of ocean racing, who is usually on the winning side.
Press contact :
Emily Caroe
Mob: +44 7785 565929
Office: +44 2380 634355 ou +44 1428 681401
EmilyCaroe@mikegolding.com
Mike will be taking part in his fourth Vendée Globe in a row in 2012, with the aim of becoming the first British skipper to win the event.
Achievements
• 4th in the Transat B to B 2011
• 9th in the 2011 Transat Jacques Vabre (with Bruno Dubois)
• Winner of the Artemis Challenge in 2010
• Took part in the 2008-09 Vendée Globe (retired)
• 7th in the SNSM Record in 2008
• 3rd in the 2008 Artemis Challenge
• Winner of the 2006 SNSM Record
• 2nd in 2005 and 3rd in 2003 in the Calais Round Britain and Ireland Race
• 3rd in the 2004-2005 Vendée Globe
• Winner in 2004 and 3rd in 2000 in The Transat
• Winner of the Atlantic Challenge in 2003
• 2nd in the 2002 Route du Rhum
• 7th in the 2000-01 Vendée Globe
