The Globe 5.80 Transat is organised by Ocean Frontiers Pty Ltd, owners of the GoldenGlobeRace.com, OceanGlobeRace.com, ClassGlobe580.com and the MiniGlobeRace.com.
Class Globe 5.80 and all its events are primarily run by volunteers. If you would like to be part of this new adventure and help with logistics or running our events, we are happy to hear from you. If you would like to become a commercial partner, we welcome an opportunity to discuss options.
Don McIntyre – CEO
Don McIntyre is the founder and Race Chairman of the Golden Globe Race, Ocean Globe Race and the Mini Globe Race. All three round-the-world races are unique in the sailing industry, focusing on human values and real challenges to create inspiring stories. He is also founder of the new Class Globe 5.80 one-design, plywood mini ocean racing yacht.
He has been organising sailing events and ocean adventures since 1984. Don is an experienced circumnavigator and seen as one of Australia’s great explorers. In 2012, the Australian Geographic Society, recognising his many diverse expeditions over the years and his ongoing efforts to promote adventure, presented him with it’s highest accolade, a Gold Medal for a “Lifetime of Adventure”. This was only the 12th time it had been presented in the history of the Society. The inscription on it simply read “For a life spent encouraging Adventure and Discovery”.
In October 2014, He received the prestigious “Emerald Award” from the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) The inscription read “In Honor of a lifetime of adventures that have done much to raise awareness of the marine environment and the need to protect it”.
Passionate about all forms of adventure and inspiring others, the Ocean Globe Race and the Golden Globe Race were born from his desire to recreate the Golden Age of fully crewed and solo around-the-world racing. Don finished 2nd in class in the 1990-91 BOC Challenge solo around-the-world yacht race and twice attempted unsuccessfully to become involved with the Whitbread Race.
Keri Harris – Race Director
We’re delighted to welcome Keri Harris to the Globe 580 Transat team as Race Director.
A retired Royal Navy Commander, Keri has also served as a diplomat and speaks several languages. He brings decades of leadership and international experience to the role. No stranger to adventure, Keri is currently competing in the Mini Globe Race, putting his sailing skills to the ultimate test.
Graham Cox – MGR Commentator
Graham Cox has been enthusiastic about small-boat adventuring since the age of 15, when Robin Lee Graham sailed his 24ft sloop, Dove, into Durban, South Africa, Graham’s hometown, on 21 October 1967.
A few months later, he read John Guzzwell’s timeless classic, Trekka Round the World (for the first time), and decided that all he needed was the smallest sloop he could squeeze himself into, two bunks (one for each tack), two buckets (don’t mix them up), a chart table capable of holding a folded Admiralty chart, and a single-burner stove.
Since migrating to Sydney, Australia, in 1972, he has made passages in everything from 19ft sloops to 60ft gaff schooners, but his heart has always been taken by little boats, including the 22ft Mudshark, which he rebuilt from a wreck, and Arion, his 24ft Tom Thumb sloop, on which he lived and cruised for 23 years.
He has a degree in English from James Cook University, Townsville, is the author of The Junk Rig Hall of Fame, and a memoir / selective history of cruising under sail since the 1960s, Last Days of the Slocum Era.
Jane Zhou – Finance & Admin
“Jane Jane” manages all financial affairs of Class Globe 5.80, OGR and GGR, all Facebook live feeds, assists with race photography and never stops smiling. She is a qualified charter skipper, whale swim guide, diver and Antarctic zodiac driver who originally trained as an air traffic controller. She met Don in 2005 as a project manager/Chinese interpreter on a boat building project from Zhuhai, China.
Rob Havill – Digital Director
Rob has 20 years’ experience in managing creative and digital design projects. From branding to film production, his skills and interests are wide ranging.
Originally a graduate of engineering, he has captained his own design company since the early days of digital marketing.
Passionate about all things adventure!
Aida Valceanu – Events/Public Relations
Daughter of Romanian publisher, lover of France since always, literary journalist. Organiser of conferences, book fairs, correspondent of several Romanian magazines, cultural columnist at the French Huffington Post. Events and PR for the OGR, and a passionate volunteer for GGR.
