But once he told me about the Oyster World Rally (a fully supported, 16-month, 27,000-nautical-mile global circumnavigation that 23 Oyster sailing yachts just started in Antigua) I couldn’t talk about anything else. In fact, I was a bit obsessed because long-distance offshore sailing, and specifically, offshore sailing around Antigua holds a special place in my heart.
That’s because I first sailed to Antigua from Newport, Rhode Island as a skinny young dreamer who had way more optimism than money—or sailing skill for that matter back in the early 90’s. And as I sat sipping coffee in the cockpit of Hadida’s 85-foot-long Oyster in the shadow of the Yacht Club de Monaco, I was transfixed as he described the upcoming Oyster World Rally because I know what an amazing adventure sailing around the world is. In fact, I was jealous. And I’m even more jealous now. Here’s why.
The Oyster World Rally fleet is now sailing to the Panama Canal and then will be making curated stops in the Galapagos, French Polynesia, Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, and South America before closing the loop back in Antigua in 2027. The route is timed precisely to make the most of global weather patterns and the route ensures that the fleet experiences the best each location has to offer with plenty of cruising time at the end of each passage. Sounds like the ultimate escape, right?
“The Oyster World Rally is more than just a circumnavigation, it’s a celebration of our community, craftsmanship, and passion for bluewater sailing,” said Oyster Yachts CEO Stefan Zimmermann Zschocke. “Each edition brings new adventures and strengthens the bonds between our owners worldwide. We are proud to support this incredible journey, ensuring that every crew can focus on the joy of sailing while our expert teams handle the logistics and technical support. As Oyster continues to innovate and grow, our Rally remains the ultimate testament to the spirit of exploration that defines our brand.”
This year’s edition features 23 Oysters whose owners span eight different nationalities around the globe, including USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Spain, Australia, Netherlands, and Belgium, and a fleet of Oysters ranging from 50 to 90 feet.
What really impresses me about this particular rally is that the Oyster team manages every step of the journey, from helping owners select the right yacht for them to preparing owners and crew with a comprehensive training program developed exclusively for the Oyster World Rally. Now that the Rally is underway the fleet is supported by expert Oyster Technical and Logistics teams on the ground when they arrive in each destination.
None of that is easy to do but it makes sense too. It’s good for business because Oyster Yachts are built to cross oceans and it’s more fun (and probably safer too) when like-minded people cruise together. And oh, yeah, Richard (my host at the Monaco Grand Prix and owner of the company), his wife Ali Hadida and their two-year-old son Harry are sailing in Oyster World Rally aboard their Oyster 885 Lush as well. With Ali new to sailing and Harry still very young, the adventure ahead promises a new rhythm of living, with time and space to experience the world from a fresh perspective. For Richard, joining the Rally with his family is a chance to experience firsthand the adventure and bond he has seen so many Oyster owners enjoy.
“It’s been my life’s dream to sail around the world and see every inch pass by,” Hadida said before the start. “I’ve probably done enough air miles to reach the moon and back, but whilst I've been all over the world, to get the context mile by mile as I sail quietly and consistently on is something that will be truly unforgettable. For the next 16 months, Lush will be my life. We won’t be coming back, and wherever she drops her anchor, that’s my home. That gives me an incredible sense of excitement, adventure and freedom.”
The only other question I have for Hadida is: Can I come?
Watch this space!
