A report commissioned by the organisers of the Golden Globe Race 2022/23 has found the event generated some €213 million in media value.

The Meltwater 2022 GGR media analysis identified that the event’s official website had 4.4 million unique visits with 19 million unique pages opened.

On social media, the GGR’s Facebook reach was 3.3 million and YouTube had 3.2 million views. Twitter saw 5.2 million impressions and Instagram had a reach of one million.

Some 65,000 people downloaded the Yellowbrick tracking app which related to over 15 million hits if checked just once a day, though most checked many times each day, the analysis found.

And a total of 240,000 people visited the Les Sables d’Olonne GGR village in the two weeks before the start of the race, in which 21 sailors from 14 countries sailed around the world in small full-keel yachts.

Only three sailors would finish the race eight months later, with winner Kirsten Neuschäfer from South Africa making history as the first woman to win a solo round-the-world race and being recognised for her efforts with a World Sailor of the Year gong.

Founder of the Golden Globe, Don McIntyre said he was not surprised by the Meltwater report’s findings.

GGR 2026 entrant Olivia O Wyatt believes her boat Juniper, a 34ft cutter rigged sloop, is haunted

“We all felt that the 2022 GGR was bigger and better than 2018 with a real positive vibe,” he said. “The strong Les Sables d’Olonne support had a big impact and it was like the GGR had all of a sudden grown up. We saw a huge number of non-sailing followers captivated by the daily coverage and everyone realised it was not just a boat race!

“Getting to the start was hard and Covid did not help, but getting to the finish was everything and the stories reflected that. Hearts and minds were broken, but heroes were also made! The 2026 GGR is going to be epic!”

Already 21 sailors from 14 countries have signed up for the fourth edition of the GGR in 2026, including Kerry solo sailor Pat Lawless — who has unfinished business after his withdrawal from the last race due to self-steering failure.

So far the only female entrant, aiming to replicate Neuschäfer’s success, is American film-maker and TV producer Olivia O Wyatt who will race with Juniper, a 34ft cutter rigged sloop she believes is haunted.

In the history of sailing, one event changed everything. The Golden Globe Race sits high in the mind of all sailors, and one man, Sir Robin Knox Johnston, winner of the first edition in 1968, has inspired tens of millions ever since. He was the first ever to complete a solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation in the first ever around-the-world yacht race. The second 2018 GGR presented another sailing hero to the world, French sailing hero Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, taking the crown at 73 years of age!

On Sunday, South African sailor Kirsten Neuschäfer climbs into the record books and takes the crown as the latest winner of the GGR, in what is now firmly recognised the world over, as the the most demanding exploit and human challenge for any individual, in any sporting event on the planet. Kirsten is also the first woman to ever win an around the world yacht race of any type, crewed or solo, with stops or without! With over 250,000 miles of ocean sailing experience, an adventurous background and able to speak many languages, she is inspiring millions around the globe through her GGR adventure.

South African yachtswoman Kirsten Neuschäfer, winner of the 2022/3 Golden Globe Race, is greeted by the crowds when taking to the stage to collect her trophies Photo: Tim Bishop/GGR/PPL

The city and community of Les Sables d’Olonne put on a celebration befitting the achievements of all 16 sailors who set out 293 days before. Only three finished, Kirsten Neusthfer (ZAF), Abhilash Tomy (IND)- Bayanat and Micheal Guggenberger (BE) NURI, but all who entered are heroes in their own way. With the celebration stage set facing the ocean looking out across one of the top 100 beaches of the world, thousands of Les Sables and international fans packed the forecourt to follow the presentations. 

After 23 days of continuous headwinds approaching Les Sables d’Olonne Jeremy Bagshaw (South Africa) in Chichester Class is on his final approach to the Golden Globe Race finish. His ETA is 1700 UTC on 1900 hours French time.

Storms, barnacles, water shortages and a broken forestay in the last run to the finish, nothing was spared to Olleanna’s skipper in the GGR2022.

Things were looking good onboard Olleanna last month on the 19th of May. After nine months at sea, Olleanna was 500 miles West of Cape Finisterre and 820 miles from Les Sables d’Olonnes, about a week away from finishing his circumnavigation after nearly 30000 miles and many adventures along the way. Jeremy had run out of coffee and sweets and was keen for a quick landing back to where he started! But then it all changed!

Alas, on that day at 1900 UTC, Jeremy called the GGR Race Office to report the failure of the stainless plate holding the forestay, meaning he no longer had a usable forestay. His call is HERE. He was able to secure the reefing gear and remove the sail. The mast was not damaged, and all other standing rigging was fine, including the outer forestay connected to the end of the bowsprit, the inner forestay and the two running backstays.

This meant he could only use his staysail on the inner forestay and the light genoa on the outer forestay, taking longer to complete the course. However, adding insult to injury, the wind soon veered East, making it harder and longer for Oleanna to point towards Les Sables d’Olonne, instead pointing towards Ireland or Gijon in Spain, two places he visited prior to the GGR start in September 2022. Unbelievably this headwind has not veered for 23 days straight, dragging that one week to go, into another 23 days! He tweeted, "I'm trying to remember what wind & sea from aft of the beam feels like. It must be nice?”

Retired Navy commander, 43-year-old Abhilash Tomy, the renowned sailor and first Indian to complete a solo non-stop voyage around the world in 2013, made history on Saturday by securing an outstanding second-place finish in the gruelling 2022 Golden Globe Race. Tomy's yacht, BAYANAT crossed the finish line at 06:46hr in Les Sables d'Olonne, France, after an intense 236-day 30,000 mile journey around the globe. This incredible achievement is especially noteworthy given the numerous setbacks Tomy faced leading up to and during the race, making his triumph a true testament to his exceptional skill, determination, and perseverance. 

In 2018, Abhilash Tomy experienced a catastrophic accident during his first attempt at the Golden Globe Race when a violent storm in the Indian Southern Ocean caused his yacht to roll, losing both masts and resulting in a broken back, unable to move and being trapped below. An international rescue effort followed involving fellow contestant, Irishman Gregor McGuckin and then major operations and rehabilitation before walking and then sailing again. Undeterred by this harrowing experience, Tomy set his sights on returning to the GGR, displaying immense resilience and unwavering commitment to the dream.

Tomy's entry into the 2022 Golden Globe Race was fraught with challenges from the beginning. As the last participant to join the race he was pushed for time to prepare.He faced a collision with a ship just two weeks before the start, which severely damaged the bow of his yacht. Despite this significant obstacle and rushed Euro 50,000 repair, Tomy remained steadfast in his determination to complete the race. Once underway, he was often struggling to cope with the memories of his 2018 accident, until he passed the spot in the ocean where it all happened. A huge weight lifted from his shoulders and in his mind and the world looked a better place!

Throughout the race, BAYANAT was beset by a series of breakdowns in his rigging and windpilot windvane. However, Abhilash Tomy earned the nickname "Mr Fixit" for his tireless efforts to keep his vessel afloat and on course. He demonstrated extraordinary resourcefulness and ingenuity, solidifying his reputation as one of the world's leading sailors.

The trio of Simon, Kirsten and Abhilash are close now, sailing within 170 miles of each other as they approach the Bay of Biscay and the final run toward Les Sables d’Olonne in the Golden Globe Race. But the race is on for Kirsten Neuschäfer (ZAF), who is leading by 90 miles on her runner-up. With a 23-hour compensation for Tapio’s Indian ocean rescue, she looks unbeatable, but it’s not over! First, they need to negotiate the heavy traffic in the Bay of Biscay after months of sailing empty oceans, and Abhilash Tomy (IND) on Bayanat is not slowing down!

Both have steady downwind conditions, but on Wednesday, winds drop and become much lighter from the West and then South on Thursday. The two different boat designs act differently in different weather, so there could be last-minute surprises! But with just a few days to run in light westerlies from Thursday onwards, it is a huge challenge for Abhilash. The finish will be under a spinnaker and a timid sun, so it all points to a Kirsten!

ETA’s are still to be refined after Wednesday’s light winds and will be updated on the GGR website. Kirsten continues to push hard with at times, 8.1 kt speeds. She could cross the line on Friday the 28th in the morning, followed by Abhilash less than a day later. Simon Curwen (GBR) in Chichester class could arrive in Les Sables d’Olonne as early as Thursday 27th. 

If Kirsten was crossing the line in first place, she would be the first woman to win a round-the-world race by the three great capes, including solo and fully crewed races, non-stop or with stops, and the first South African sailor to win a round-the-world event! She would join the famous Bertie Reed (ZAF) in the South African Hall of Fame, and Isabelle Autissier (FRA) who in 1994 famously led the BOC Challenge after her win in the first leg before dismasting in December in the Pacific, 920 miles SE from Adelaide. She would also join Sir Robin Knox Johnston (GBR) and Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (FRA) the winner of the Golden Globe Race.

"Who would have guessed that after 233 days alone, we have a photo finish? Everyone who reaches the finish line of the Golden Globe is a winner, yet Kirsten and Abhilash have played out an epic battle right to the end. The GGR is all about the stories, and this one is EPIC!!!" Don McIntyre, GGR Founder.

2022 GGR entrants to date current positions:
1. Kirsten Neuschäfer (39) / South Africa / Cape George 36 - "MINNEHAHA"
2. Abhilash Tomy (43) / India / Rustler 36 - "BAYANAT"
3. Michael Guggenberger (44) / Austria / Biscay 36 - "NURI"

2022 GGR Chichester Class:
1. Simon Curwen (63) / UK / Biscay 36 - "CLARA"
2. Jeremy Bagshaw (59) / South Africa / OE32 - "OLLEANNA"

2022 GGR Retired:
1. Edward Walentynowicz, (Canada), Rustler 36, Noah’s Jest
2. Guy deBoer, (USA), Tashiba 36, Spirit
3. Mark Sinclair (Australia), Lello 34, Coconut
4. Pat Lawless, (Ireland), Saltram Saga 36, Green Rebel
5. Damien Guillou, (France), Rustler 36, PRB
6. Ertan Beskardes, (UK), Rustler 36, Lazy Otter
7. Tapio Lehtinen, (Finland), Gaia 36, Asteria
8. Arnaud Gaist, (France), Barbican 33 Mk 2, Hermes Phoning
9. Elliot Smith, (USA), Gale Force 34, Second Wind
10. Guy Waites (UK), Tradewind 35, Sagarmatha
11. Ian Herbert Jones (52) / UK / Tradewind 35 - "PUFFIN"

229 days from the start with just one week till the finish of the Golden Globe Race in Les Sables d’Olonne with 29,000 miles under the keel, Abhilash Tomy (IND) BAYANAT and Kirsten Neuschäfer (ZAF) are now separated by only a few miles. This is an incredibly tight finish (see live tracker below) for the two fantastic sailors who have led the fleet since February after Simon Curwen (GBR) HOWDENS moved into Chichester Class.

On paper, the situation looked dire for Kirsten Neuschafer last week. She had lost all of her lead in the very wide doldrums, and Bayanat the Rustler 36 of Abhilash Tomy is a better boat for the all-round conditions of the North Atlantic, with upwind, downwind in the medium to light conditions. Abhilash had made a bold move over the last weekend, tacking to the NNE with negative VMG in pursuit of the low pressure that was pushing the high away. He did lose precious miles in the operation, but the payback was well worth it as he sailed in more wind, longer, and at a better angle, catching up on Kirsten and finally snatching the lead on Wednesday! Nursing a wounded boat home, Abhilash is skirting the low pressure, constantly arbitrating between speed and safety, keeping the boat together for a safe return. Today, he tweeted that his starboard runner broke but that he was doing a repair.

Kirsten still has a few cards up her sleeve, however. The wind will be fair and downwind for both sailors after April 21st once the low pressure north of Abhilash has gone east. They will then surf the Atlantic swell all the way to Cape Finisterre and the entry of the last -but not least- stretch to Les Sables d’Olonne. They will be side by side entering the Bay of Biscay and that means Kirsten will be virtually one day ahead of Abhilash when you account for Kirsten's 23-hour net time compensation from Tapio’s rescue.

The Bay of Biscay presents plenty of challenges in the last 400 miles to Les Sables d’Olonne, with highly localised and fast-changing weather systems and where both fishing and shipping traffic is intense. The skippers cannot let their guards down after more than 230 days at sea. There is sure to be true suspense as both navigate this last obstacle that will decide the winner of the toughest game on the planet!

Minnehaha is in fine form, and Kirsten is pushing as hard as she can, flying the spinnaker on her bowsprit and racking up miles. In fact, she has posted the best 24-hours and 7-day distance of the last 30 days as per the GGR Underground page curated by Jonathan Endersby. Also, she has proven time after time how resourceful she is in making most of the cards she’s dealt with, and not shy of bold options that have paid-off more often than not.

Golden Globe Race competitor Ian Herbert Jones has been transferred from his yacht from S/V Puffin to F/V ZI DA WANG successfully in 25-knot winds and four-metre seas.

The rescued solo sailor is now bound for Cape Town on the fishing vessel. 

It was 1740 UTC when Herbert Jones first saw the Taiwanese Fishing Vessel ZI DA WANG (a name that appropriately translates as 'king magnate person having expert skill in something') arriving from the North.

26 hours before, the Shropshire sailor closing the GGR fleet in the southern Atlantic was unable to make contact by sat phone. He set off his EPIRB to ensure the Search and Rescue chain of his zone -NAVAREA 6- knew where he was and that he was facing a bad situation.

The Rescue vessel ZI DA WANG (a name that appropriately translates as 'king magnate person having expert skill in something') 

Herbert Jones had been in heavy weather for a full day already but was unable to deploy his drogue as the wind intensified. Not trailing a drogue or warps made it difficult to keep Puffins stern into the waves and avoid being rolled by the building sea.

The condition soon became overwhelming as the boat could not be held direct downwind. Two hours later, in a SW wind of 55 knots, gusting 75 knots and 8-metre sea, Herbert Jones manually lifted the safety cover of his YB3 Satellite tracking and texting device and pressed the distress alert button. This is recognised GGR distress protocol for all entrants, suggesting something more serious had happened.

In fact, at 1930 UTC Puffin had been rolled and dismasted, and her Master had hurt his back and gashed his head in the ordeal. He tried to get out and cut the rig to avoid the mast opening a hole in the hull but conditions were too dire to finish the job. So he went inside, sorted the water ingress through a cabin hatch and proceeded to pump the water out before resting.

Meanwhile, the GGR Crisis Management Team made contact with the MRCC Argentina and later with the SAR Puerto Belgrano to coordinate rescue with commercial traffic in the vicinity. It proved a challenge in the extreme conditions as commercial ships in the vicinity could not safely make way towards Puffin at the time.

The UK Fisheries Patrol boat Lilibet was the first responder before concerted efforts from the Argentinian SAR Puerto Belgrano and MRCC Taiwan contacted a fleet of fishing vessels closer to Herbert Jones’s position able to get to him in a safe and timely manner. Soon there were three fishing vessels routing towards Puffin the ZI DA WANG, FA DA CAI and YUH SHENG N°1.

At 1815 UTC the ZI DA WANG arrived first on the rescue site and positioned herself to the West of Puffin to windward, in order to cut the wind and flatten the sea for Herbert Jones, enabling him to manoeuvre at close quarters, while discussing on the VHF the best way to transfer from the injured Puffin to the rescue vessel.

At 19:30, the GGR was informed by the SAR Puerto Belgrano that Herbert Jones was on the ZI DA WANG, bruised, cut, scraped, still suffering from his back injury, but safe!

It is believed to be bound for Cape Town, South Africa, where Herbert Jones will be put ashore.

Puffin, completed a first circumnavigation with Istvan Köpar in the GGR 2018, and nearly completed a second one with Herbert Jones completing 79.4% of the round-the-world course with one stop in Tierra del Fuego to repair the Hydrovane.

Alas, the brave Tradewind 35 was a hazard to safety and had to be scuttled before Ian left his home for the last seven months to board the ZI DA WANG.

Golden Globe Race's Don McIntryre said: "The GGR wish to thank the SAR Puerto Belgrano in Argentina and the MRCC Taiwan for exemplary international coordination of Ian’s rescue, as well as the shipowner, masters and crew of the F/V Zi Da Wang and the F/V Fa Da Cai and Yuh Sheng N°1. MRCC UK and GRIZ NEZ France were also on standby".

Ian Herbert Jones Tradewind 35 – ” PUFFIN ” – sixth sailed past Iron Pot, Hobart has been scuttled after his rescue Photo: Jackie Zanetti & Alex Papij (Rusalka) / GGR2022 

While the Golden Globe Race (GGR) Crisis Management Team ( CMT) kept Ian Herbert Jones informed of the developments in his rescue throughout the night, they were not receiving responses or updates.

He was, however, manually activating the "acknowledgement" button on his YB3 device, meaning he was conscious and informed of the latest developments, even if physically diminished.

Ian experienced a tough night, could not cut the mast free because of storm conditions and is taking painkillers for his injured back. Water ingress into the hull stopped.

Ian reports at first light that his back injury is mobile, and he can work. Can climb ladders for evacuation, the weather moderated to 4/5mtr sea and 25/30 knot wind,

The mast is still over the side but not banging too much off the hull, and he is now trying to cut it free.

He has plenty of power for VHF, sat phone and YB3, and AIS is on and transmitting. He will test the engine later today to check if it is operational for manoeuvring.

Fisheries Patrol boat Lilibet Photo: via Marine Traffic

At 0647 UTC, GGR had confirmation from SAR Puerto Belgrano that a Taiwanese fishing vessel, the ZI DA WANG, 90 miles away from his position, had been diverted to his work with an ETA at 1900 UTC the same day, earlier than the Fisheries Patrol boat Lilibet, 300 miles to his South that would arrive the next day.

Taiwanese fishing vessel, the ZI DA WANG

At 0842 UTC, Ian sent a message through his YB3 positioning and texting device: ALL RECD THKU! OK, HERE TOUGH NIGHT TRYING2STAYWARM, shortly followed by another message at 0852: GRTNEWS REF FISHIMGBOAT WAITING4 FIRSTLIGHT 2CLEAR RIG.

From this moment on, the GGR team knew that he was able, active in his own rescue and aware of the effort taking place coordinated by the SAR Puerto Belgrano in Argentina, the MRCC Taiwan, as well as etas for the ship's arrival on his position.

The Taiwanese flagged FADACAI

At 0845 UTC, GGR contacted the SAR Puerto Belgrano in charge of the rescue coordination to share the news about Ian. The Officer in Charge informed that a second fishing vessel, the Taiwanese flagged FADACAI, had been contacted and changed course towards Puffin with a 1700 UTC ETA. They told the GGR that the British Ship Lilibet had been released from rescue operations due to adverse weather conditions and late ETA. The Lilibet at the time was still en route towards Puffin but later stood down and is no longer involved in the rescue.

At 1010 UTC, Ian called the GGR from his satellite phone, confirming he had received messages and had rested. He took Ibuprofen last night from his medical kit, and his back is mobile. Ian confirmed he could work on deck and climb a ladder if needed. You can listen to his call below.

The weather moderated significantly at PUFFIN, to 4/5mtr sea and 25/30kt wind. Puffin's mast is still over the side but not banging too much on the hull. The boom is secured onboard, and the boat has no more water ingress from his broken cabin hatch. He has power for communication, including VHF, sat phone and YB3; AIS is on and transmitting. He will test the motor later today to check if it is operational for rescue.

Ian Herbert Jones's Tradewind 35, "PUFFIN", with some of the onboard safety gear. Photo: Ian Herbert Jones / GGR2022

"We're all hands on deck, obviously thinking of Ian and grateful for the international efforts to assist him. Fortunately, the situation has improved dramatically for several reasons: first, Ian is able and active in his rescue; secondly, the weather conditions at PUFFIN have improved a lot, facilitating the possibility of a transfer operation, which will still be challenging and the final decision is with the master of the fishing vessels." Don McIntyre, GGR Founder and Chairman

Ian Herbert Jones's Tradewind 35 “PUFFIN” pictured at Les Sables d’Olonne GGR 2022

The GGR wish to thank the CROSS Griz-Nez, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency and, in particular, the SAR Puerto Belgrano in Argentina, who has worked tirelessly to contact vessels in Puffin's vicinity, as well as the MRCC Taiwan for their coordination and cooperation in Ian's rescue, as well as the Masters and crews of the Lilibet, the M/V Da Zi Wang and the Fa Da Cai and Yuh Shenh N°1 for perpetuating the tradition of the sea in very adverse conditions.

Rolled over, dismasted, injured back, gashed head and water in the boat that's the latest from Golden Globe Race competitor Ian Herbert Jones, who messaged GGR Race Control in a storm gusting over 80 knots with confused seas.

Jones is unable to deploy his drogue and was hand-steering in heavy weather, 50 knots gusting 80 with 7.7 metre seas and a dangerous counter sea.

The Yellow Brick distress signal was manually activated at 1725 UTC, 25 minutes after Ian missed a scheduled safety call, informing GGR he had been rolled over.

GGR Crisis Management Team (CMT) informed CROSS Griz-Nez, UK Coast Guard Agency and MRCC Argentina, who are directing rescue operations.

The following from Golden Globe Race HQ:

"At 1540UTC Ian Herbert Jones SKIPPER PUFFIN rang the GGR Race Office on Iridium phone to advise that he was in extreme weather and confused sea, 50 knots, gusting over 70 knots, running under bare poles, trying to hand steer downwind. The yacht was laid over often by the force of wind and waves. There was a small amount of water down below. The line was bad and contact was lost.

10 minutes later, Ian called again. He could not launch his drogue to keep Puffin stern to the waves. Conditions were extreme and he had been washed out of the cockpit twice. He had activated his EPIRB. Don McIntyre advised Ian that the extreme weather would last for at least another 5 hours, and that he should launch his drogue if possible, to assist downwind control on Puffin. Keeping the stern facing the wave is critical to avoid being rolled.

There was only 8 inches of water over the cabin sole and Ian said it was probably leakage through the cockpit, the manual bilge pump was working and Puffin was not sinking. The mast was secure and all safety equipment onboard was secure, although his electrical system was low on power.

Because he was unable to make contact with his Satphone, Ian decided to activate his EPIRB so that the Search And Rescue chain would be aware of his position and situation.

The Crisis Management Team (CMT) made initial contact with the MRCC Argentina on the phone, to confirm the EPIRB signal reception. MRCC confirmed receiving signal from Puffin’s EPIRB and that they had opened a case with the information contained in the GGR Safety Book provided by the organiser prior to the start of the race. CMT provided SITREPS as information came available.

At 1725 UTC, Ian had missed a planned safety call to GGR CMT. 25 minutes later they received a message from PUFFIN YELLOW-BRICK YB3 satellite tracking and texting unit advising ” Button ALERT…. 46., 57.250S 037, 12.382W “

This meant that Ian had gone to the YB3 satellite texting and tracking unit, manually lifted the safety cover and pressed the distress alert button. This is recognised as a distress protocol for all GGR entrants, suggesting he was in trouble and could not text or use the sat phone. A SITREP was immediately forwarded to MRCC Argentina, followed by a call to explain the importance of this development.

Search and Rescue Puerto Belgrano are coordinating the rescue. Puffin was still in extreme weather. There are several ships in his vicinity, including a tanker 120 miles North of his position, and several fishing boats. MRCC Argentina is attempting to make contact with them and seek their support.

The low pressure system is moving quickly through Puffin’s position, currently, SW 55 knots, gusting 88 knots. Puffin’s tracker position is updated every 15 minutes. At 1810 UTC, Ian’s second satphone and second YB3 tracking and texting device (normally on standby) were activated. Ready for use.

SITUATION : PUFFIN ROLLED DISMASTED Skipper injured in the Golden Globe Race

At 1842 UTC PUFFIN sent the following YB3 TEXT message – Rolled, Dismasted, injured Back, hard to move, 2ft water in boat. Then at 1844 UTC, PUFFIN sent another YB3 TEXT Message – Situation getting worse..need weather break to cut rig from PUFFIN

The 7.7mtr South West sea also had a forecast 1.8mtr North East secondary swell at 9-second intervals at the same time. This is hard to comprehend, two opposing seas and suggests an extremely dangerous sea. With the mast down hanging over the side and Ian unable to cut the rig clear the risk of damage to the hull is real. The motion of the Puffin without a mast is also very dynamic.

Golden Globe Race SITUATION: 2015 UTC Sat phone Message: Cutting Rig away, water ingress under control, Back getting stiff, Gashed head

Latest Sat Phone call from Ian onboard Puffin listen below

At 2015UTC Ian rang with a poor connection but explained the water ingress was under control, he had gashed his head and his back was painful and getting stiff. Conditions were horrendous, but he must cut the rig away as it is bashing against the hull. He was part way through that task. We then lost contact. At 2025 UTC Ian rang again. GGR gave the latest weather forecast that winds and sea are very slowly dropping in the next 12 hours., discussed the possibility of a ship being diverted. He wanted SHIP ETA but advised ship NOT confirmed yet. Phone batteries are OK.

Further updates will be made when available. Our thoughts are with Ian and all those working to assist him at this moment. We thank them for their efforts".

In the northern hemisphere, it’s been tense for Golden Globe Race leader Kirsten Neuschafer (ZAF), in less wind than her runner-up for longer. Every time it looks like she’s losing the lead, she finds the resources to grab some miles back, or clutch to the extra bit of wind to hold the lead. At the back of the fleet, Ian Herbert-Jones (GBR) and Jeremy Bagshaw (ZAF) still experienced heavy weather, with another storm for Jeremy at 30° South.

The feat of the week goes to a retired GGR sailor, but nevertheless very much part of the GGR family. Guy Waites who rounded Cape Horn on the 3rd of April in rough conditions with winds ranging from 40 to 60 knots. He received a warm letter from his personal heroes at the International Cape Horners Association, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Jean-Luc Van Den Heede. 

The week has been hard on Kirsten, who has generally been in lighter weather for several weeks running, bleeding miles from her lead to Abhilash, falling from 300 miles last week to 50 today. Worse, the eastern option she chose, while closer to the finish has brought an in-and-out of the doldrums scenario with more frustrating light winds and psychological trauma. But yesterday, she was in fresh winds, now on a higher route at speed towards Les Sables d’Olonne.

The contrast with Abhilash Tomy, Bayanat, is stunning. Choosing a closer route to Brazil, he had very narrow doldrums and found strong, consistent tradewinds earlier, allowing him to sail higher and faster for weeks. After several months of fixing/rebuilding equipment failures and rationing water to less than one litre a day, he is really enjoying the sailing, posting good speed, with time to relax and drinking plenty of fresh water.