The historic McIntyre Mini Globe Race has set sail and Ireland is in the race thanks to Jakub Ziemkiewicz from Cork Harbour.
After years of building in backyards and garages around the world and frantic final preparations, safety checks and briefings at Marina de Lagos Portugal, ten men and two women sailors set sail on Saturday 28th December on the first stage of a 28,000-mile solo odyssey around the world onboard ALMA Globe 580 home-built plywood 19ft yachts. Four more will join Antigua.
After a few days of high winds and sea, the Mini's sailed down the river of the classic port city of Lagos past a small cheering crowd and out onto a blue sea and sky to a beautiful sunny day. A light southerly sea breeze at the start caused some frustrations but the atmosphere was electric. Sailors, family, friends, and locals all contemplated and tried to imagine what lay ahead. By late afternoon, the wind swung, and the sailors set a course South. Without exception, spirits ran high after years of anticipation!
