Irish solo sailor's second Golden Globe Race challenge ends in the South Atlantic while lying approximately 100 miles behind leader Damien Guillou.
Ireland's Pat Lawless has retired from the 2026 Golden Globe Race after a serious rigging failure aboard his Saga 36 Silvermines Hydro in the South Atlantic, ending his challenge for victory while lying second overall.
The 70-year-old Kerry sailor confirmed his retirement in a short message to race organisers late on Saturday (17 October): “Pat here. Solent rig broken. Rig okay. Now sailing north. Out of the game.”
Sent at 23:51 UTC, the message reported a failure of the Solent stay, which supports a reefing headsail system. Lawless was then approximately 2,000 nautical miles west of Cape Town, in north-easterly winds of 20–25 knots and seas of three to four metres.
Race organisers say he has reported no injury, the yacht's main forestay remains in place, and he has not requested assistance. No Code Orange emergency has been declared.
Race Cut Short – Pat Lawless had sailed 5,644 nautical miles since the Golden Globe Race start on 6 September when rig failure ended his challenge. The Irish skipper was lying second, just 100 nautical miles behind French leader Damien Guillou, as both entered the Roaring Forties with 21,000 miles still to race. Photo: GGR2026
Second rigging failure ends Irish challenge
Lawless had already repaired damage to the Solent stay earlier in the voyage. It is not yet clear whether that repair failed or fresh damage occurred elsewhere in the rigging.
Although the main forestay continues to support the mast, the loss of the Solent headsail leaves Lawless unable to compete as intended over the remaining voyage.
His retirement comes after a sustained pursuit of French leader Damien Guillou aboard Solarem. In Thursday's close contest in the South Atlantic, Lawless had reduced the gap to just 47 miles; the race organisers put him approximately 100 miles astern at the time of his retirement.
He had sailed 5,644 nautical miles since the start at Les Sables d'Olonne on 6 September, with approximately 21,000 miles remaining.
No emergency as Lawless turns north
Race Control noticed a marked course change on the 04:00 UTC tracker update on Sunday, when Silvermines Hydro was moving slowly towards the north-west.
His shore manager has been informed. At the time of the organisers' announcement, Lawless had not made further contact and his intended destination remained unknown.
Organisers suggested that he might be hove-to or otherwise keeping the yacht comfortable while awaiting daylight to assess the damage. Cape Town is a possible destination, but Lawless has not indicated where he intends to go.
Now retired, he is free to use his satellite telephone without the communications restrictions that applied while racing.
Lawless Campaign Team Responds
Pat Lawless's campaign team has described his retirement as "heartbreaking news from the South Atlantic", following the failure of the Solent rig aboard Silvermines Hydro.
In a statement on Sunday morning, the team said Lawless was believed to be safe and was sailing north, away from the heavy weather.
"This is a devastating disappointment after an extraordinary performance that saw Pat holding second place and challenging for the lead."
The team emphasised that its immediate concern was the Kerry sailor's safety and his eventual return to port.
"We are immensely proud of what he has achieved and the determination he has shown throughout this campaign."
The statement concluded: "Fair winds, Pat. The whole of Ireland is behind you."
A cruel repeat of 2022
The setback echoes Lawless's retirement from the 2022 Golden Globe Race, when a failure of his Aries windvane self-steering system forced him to abandon his non-stop circumnavigation and sail into Cape Town.
When he registered for the 2026 race, Lawless described his return as unfinished business. His preparations and determination had drawn an extensive network of Irish supporters, whose commitment was highlighted ahead of the start.
For now, the immediate priority is to secure Silvermines Hydro and establish a safe onward course. Race director Don McIntyre says further information will follow when Lawless has assessed the damage and communicated his plans.
