Bernard Gallay joins the legendary Sir Robin Knox-Johnston for a unique adventure at sea aboard SANJULA, a Farr 56 designed to withstand the extreme conditions of Greenland.
Bernard Gallay teams up with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston for an extraordinary nautical expedition, linking Iceland to Greenland. A polar adventure between two iconic figures of sailing, united by a shared passion for yachting and extreme exploration.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is a legendary figure in the world of yachting and offshore sailing. He became famous in 1969 as the first sailor to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation of the globe aboard his yacht SUHAILI. This historic achievement marked a turning point in the history of navigation.
An exceptional sailor, winner of the Jules Verne Trophy, organiser of iconic races such as the Clipper Round the World, Sir Robin is also a passionate advocate for sailing as an accessible sport. His commitment to Britain’s maritime heritage and his influence on generations of sailors make him a living legend.
Bernard Gallay is a renowned French sailor, a two-time Vendée Globe participant (1992, 2000), the world’s most famous solo non-stop around-the-world race. Building on this exceptional experience, he founded Bernard Gallay Yacht Brokerage (BGYB), a company specialised in the sale, purchase, and rental of luxury yachts.
A passionate entrepreneur and seasoned sailor, Bernard is preparing to embark alongside Sir Robin Knox-Johnston for a unique expedition, blending human adventure, nautical expertise, and the spirit of discovery. A meeting at the summit between two legends of sailing.
We will depart from Iceland to reach the East coast of Greenland in the coming days, as soon as the ice conditions allow.
The sailing expedition between Iceland and Greenland will last about three weeks. This includes not only the crossing of the North Atlantic, but also several stopovers in remote fjords and wild areas of southern Greenland. This kind of sailing in polar regions requires great flexibility due to weather and ice conditions.
I met Robin in 1982 at the finish of the La Rochelle – New Orleans race. I arrived by plane in the evening and slept on the beach with my bag in front of Robin’s boat, SEA FALCON. The next day, François Boucher (a great French sailor, now Project Manager and Broker for BGYB) introduced us, and we set off that afternoon on a memorable crossing to England. From 1984 to 1986, I then did every race aboard his new boat at the time, BRITISH AIRWAYS 1, including five transatlantic races. If we add a final transatlantic race with him in 2015, we have done no fewer than seven transatlantic crossings together, plus many other races!
Robin gave me my vocation; it was through him that I got into solo racing, which eventually led me to participate in two Vendée Globes, among others.
When Robin suggested, ten days ago, that I join him, I didn’t hesitate. The fact that my son Barthélemy will also be joining us makes me even happier.
We are sailing aboard SANJULA, Robin’s boat, a Farr 56, 17.60 metres long.
The name of Robin’s first boat, with which he completed the first solo non-stop circumnavigation during the 1968/69 Golden Globe race, had an Arabic inspiration.
For SANJULA, Robin- who has maintained close ties with India since the 1960s- chose an Indian name. SANJULA means “pretty girl.”
Designed for the open sea and extreme conditions, SANJULA combines performance, strength, and comfort—perfect for our expedition!
There will be five of us:
Robin Knox-Johnston: First sailor to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation in 1969
Dilip Donde: Former officer in the Indian Navy who completed a solo circumnavigation from August 2009 to May 2010 aboard the Van de Stadt 56 MHADEI
David Alan-Williams, a friend of Robin who sailed with him in the 1977/78 Whitbread Race on HEATH’S CONDOR
Myself and my son Barthélemy Gallay.
To discover new places, possibly still unexplored by some, icy landscapes, a country nearly four times the size of France but with a population of about 56,000- roughly 1,200 times smaller than France (which has 68 million people)- new marine and land wildlife, and the local population…
A unique adventure, like a timeless break, far from the world as we know it.
What worries me a little is the possibility of encountering polar bears on land. These are impressive and unpredictable animals, and you need to be cautious when landing in certain isolated areas.
I believe there will be a rifle on board, purely as a precaution- as is often the case during Arctic expeditions. But with proper scouting and vigilance, we hope to avoid any direct contact. The goal is to enjoy nature with respect and safety for all.
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