Image: Race leader Damien Guillou aboard SOLAREM, battling challenging conditions in the South Atlantic. With a major storm forecast from 25 October, Damien is now working northeast to reduce his exposure to the most severe conditions. GGR Window LIVE image captured on 19 October 2026. Credit: GGR2026
Gales, calms, equipment failures and now a major South Atlantic storm reshape the race as the fleet races towards the Southern Ocean challenge
Severe South Atlantic storm approaches the GGR fleet from Sunday, with winds around 50 knots and gusts potentially reaching 70 knots.
Louis Kerdelhué aboard IE CHARGE is expected to arrive in Recife around 09:00 on 24 October, seeking rest and an opportunity to resolve onboard problems while keeping open the possibility of remaining in the GGR.
Mara Løvenskiold Kveseth aboard SHOWGIRL continues with a 10-day penalty relating to six unauthorised satellite telephone calls, to be served in the North Atlantic on the return towards Les Sables-d’Olonne.
The South Atlantic is dividing the fleet after four weeks of confusing weather, with the mental challenge proving every bit as demanding as the sailing.
After almost seven weeks, the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race is approaching its Southern Ocean test. Since the 6 September start, leader Damien Guillou has sailed approximately 6,500 nautical miles, with the Cape of Good Hope and months of Southern Ocean sailing still ahead.
Serious breakdowns remain relatively few, with radio failures more common and barnacles not yet a major fleet-wide concern. Fatigue, isolation and unpredictable weather are testing the sailors as much as their boats.
Severe South Atlantic storm approaching from Sunday
A severe South Atlantic storm system is developing in the path of the Golden Globe Race fleet, with the first major impacts expected from Sunday, 25 October.
By Thursday, 22 October, forecasts showed a powerful frontal system stretching nearly 2,300 nautical miles across the South Atlantic from northwest to southeast. The most severe sector was then forecast to bring sustained winds of 50–60 knots, with gusts potentially reaching 90 knots.
Today, Friday, 23 October, the outlook has moderated slightly, but the system remains a major threat, with forecast winds around 50 knots, gusting to 70 knots, and a rapid shift from northwest through to southwest as the front passes. The fleet is being kept updated as the situation develops. Entrants in the middle and northern sections have been advised to remain north of 28°S by 24 October to reduce their exposure.
Race leader Damien Guillou, currently leading the fleet by around 450 nautical miles, had been tracking towards the storm’s most extreme sector and has been advised to work northeast and climb north of 38°S, where the impact should be significantly reduced. Even so, Damien may still experience winds around 50 knots with stronger gusts, although the sea state could be less severe than farther south.
The fleet is only now beginning to enter the Southern Ocean, with Damien just reaching the Roaring Forties and the other skippers still farther north. Race management continues to monitor every forecast closely and hopes the system will weaken further. Whatever its final intensity, the storm and associated front are expected to have a significant impact on the fleet over the coming days.
From 40-knot gusts to almost no wind
Damien’s advantage over the main chasing fleet had fallen from approximately 750 nautical miles and is now around 450 nautical miles. The South Atlantic High forced him and Pat farther south into easterly headwinds, while their pursuers turned the corner around Trindade sooner than expected.
Earlier, winds of 30 knots, gusting to 40 knots, and 4–5 metre seas left Damien fatigued and frustrated. Then came near-calms, with SOLAREM rolling in confused seas. Two weeks ago, a main-halyard failure cost him approximately five hours at Trindade. He replaced it and added an external halyard, giving him three options. The chafe point cannot be fully repaired at sea, making that backup important before the Southern Ocean. While near Trindade, he also removed some barnacles.
Pat Lawless: a cruel end to a strong challenge
Pat’s Solent stay failure at deck level left his main rig secure, but presented a serious challenge to recover and lash down the damaged gear. Rudder-head trouble compounded the problem: two riveted fastenings failed in the fitting connecting the tiller to the rudder head, and he lacked suitable replacement bolts for a secure repair.
He considered repairing and continuing, but judged another four months of Southern Ocean sailing unrealistic. Now heading north, he may make for the Cape Verde Islands or the Canary Islands. It is another painful retirement after an Aries windvane self-steering failure ended his 2022 GGR non-stop challenge and forced him into Cape Town.
A new contest for 2nd place
Ertan Beskardes aboard MISS BEAGLE moves into 2nd, with Andrea Lodolo aboard BIBI pressing from 3rd.
Ertan’s 2–3-hour GGR Window LIVE broadcasts have made him a star, sharing sun sights, navigation and everyday life afloat. His approach is measured: keep skipper and boat comfortable rather than chase every fraction of a knot.
Andrea recently climbed the mast after losing a main halyard but otherwise reports all well. Approximately 300 nautical miles behind him, Daniel Pinsky aboard EXODUS reports no significant boat problems, although persistent fatigue remains a challenge. The boat is doing fine.
The mind game — and a 10-day penalty
Etienne Messikommer aboard BERNARD nearly quit in the doldrums. Refocusing on rounding the three great capes and returning to his fiancée, Eloise, restored his enthusiasm — and soon his racing instincts reappeared with sights set on passing boats. He passed Mara Løvenskiold Kveseth aboard SHOWGIRL, but over the past three days he was becalmed again while boats around him kept sailing.
Mara continues with a 10-day penalty — reduced from 16 — for six unauthorised satellite telephone calls, to be served in the North Atlantic on her final passage north to Les Sables-d’Olonne.
Close encounters, difficult weather and running repairs
Guido Cantini aboard HANNAH OF COWES remains without HF radio. After spotting Trindade’s lights at sunset from too far east, he established his bearings and turned sharply west to round the mark, nearly missing the island. A separate close encounter with a ship gave him a fright. At the latest briefing, he was making 1.4 knots in light winds between two high-pressure systems.
Henry Wootton aboard PRIVATEER, a Cape George 36, has struggled to find a rhythm amid calms, strong winds and unfavourable directions. He reported minor rig damage. Isa Rosli aboard OLLEANNA also went too far east and has been working too far west in light winds, uncertain of his position as he negotiates Trindade. Worse, he has a barnacle infestation that could develop further!
Matt Woodside aboard TIPI HAERE, another Cape George 36, is managing a painful back but remains positive, enjoying life aboard the boat he calls home without undue racing pressure.
Pär Nyman aboard LAZY OTTER reports two broken ribs, six or seven mast climbs and a failed radio. He has taken a break from GGR WINDOW LIVE over the past few days, reclaiming some solo sailing solitude.
Gunnar Christensen aboard POMPOEN is dealing with a deck leak and sailing with a small, apparently undersized spinnaker. His entertaining Window LIVE broadcasts and morning coffee rituals show a relaxed attitude, which will surely change in the south.
Recife: a pause, not necessarily the end
Louis Kerdelhué aboard IE CHARGE, youngest in the fleet, covered only a few hundred nautical miles during more than 10 days in the doldrums, a huge mental challenge. Now his main water tank is reportedly contaminated and acidic, though nearly 300 litres remain in separate containers. A faulty genoa furler requires him to go forward whenever he reefs.
He is heading to Recife for rest and repairs, with an estimated arrival around 09:00 on 24 October. Organisers have agreed he may take a refuge mooring and remain in the GGR provided he stays isolated, avoids the marina, allows nobody else aboard and accepts no outside assistance. Entering the marina or accepting assistance would move him into Chichester Class. Whether he continues in either class or retires remains undecided.
The man who missed the doldrums
Guy deBoer aboard SPIRIT crossed the doldrums in only a few days, rarely dropping below 3.5 knots. Now making 4–6 knots in the southeast trades, he remains approximately 1,000 nautical miles behind the main fleet. He continued in Chichester Class after stopping in the Canary Islands for structural repairs.
Don McIntyre, founder and chairman of the McIntyre Golden Globe Race, said:
“GGR WINDOW LIVE has had a few hiccups, but overall it has been a huge success. Followers are sharing the navigation, repairs, highs and lows of real solo sailing. The LIVE storms are going to be interesting. It’s bringing fans closer to the sailors and the experience of racing solo around the world.”
Of 16 starters, 13 remain in the main GGR classification. Pat and Selim Yalcin aboard HELP DISABLED CHILDREN have retired; Guy sails separately in Chichester Class. Louis’s decision could reduce the main fleet to 12.
The Cape of Good Hope and approximately four months of Southern Ocean challenges lie ahead. A substantial fleet could continue towards Australia, but nothing is guaranteed. The leader has now reached the Roaring Forties — and things are about to hot up considerably.
That is the GGR. It is never over till the fat lady sings.
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