The Loneliest Race

Set against the backdrop of the world's most punishing seas, The Loneliest Race is an intimate documentary that delves into the emotional and physical trials of sixteen sailors in the Golden Globe Race. This non-stop, 50,000 km solo sailing race is the world’s longest and most mentally grueling sporting event, pushing competitors to the limit with no fuel, no technology, and complete isolation. Only six sailors have ever successfully completed the GGR. 

Starting and finishing in France, they navigate the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, and Southern Oceans with nine months' worth of food, rainwater for drinking, and only the stars for navigation. Mostly amateur sailors, the documentary gets intimate access to participants, including Kirsten Neuschäfer, the race’s sole woman, who has navigated the Southern Ocean countless times; Abhilash Tomy, a former Indian Naval Commander who nearly lost his life in the 2018 race; and Ian Herbert-Jones, a sailing hobbyist who ends up risking his life in pursuit of a personal dream. The skippers must rely on ingenuity and luck to survive 300 days adrift at sea — alone. 

Director's Statement: As a filmmaker, I always seem to find myself drawn to ‘outsider’ stories. To the people, who for one reason or another, have decided to stake their own path through this motley world. The dreamers and the underdogs, the risk takers and rule breakers, the brave of heart who venture beyond the confines of our cultural norms to reimagine what’s possible. As someone who has largely felt like an outsider through much of their career, I feel a kinship with the sailors who are looking to embark on a journey that requires them to be completely self-sufficient. With a background in action sports filmmaking and character driven documentary, I approached this project with a grounded, compassionate perspective that values personal integrity. 

Every sailor in the GGR odyssey has their own unique set of ambitions, desires and challenges. This is the longest sporting event in the world - an epic race of attrition, seamanship, adventure and luck. Stakes are high. Not only for the sailors but also for race organizer Don Mcintyre, who is putting everything on the line to bring this event to the world. By honoring the magic of the original solo round world race in 1968, Don has placed an emphasis not on technology but lack thereof. A spartan, back to basics philosophy that further tests the limits of human endurance and sets the stage for the competition. 

What I found especially compelling is the psychological and emotional factors that have motivated each person to take on such a brutal challenge. The romantic notion of adventure on the high seas is an obvious one. But what lies beneath that? What personal agendas are at play? What are they searching for? What are they risking? How will each competitor cope with months alone in a relentlessly unforgiving environment? And what about the loved ones left behind? Exploring these human themes both on land and offshore in the vast oceans of the world has set the tone of our film. Creating an ebb and flow of mythic storytelling, wild seascapes and raw emotion.