Cork Harbour solo sailor Jakub Ziemkiewicz finished fourth in the latest stage of McIntyre Mini-Globe Race from the remote outpost of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic to Recife on the Brazilian coastline and lies sixth overall of the 11-boat fleet.
What was anticipated as a gentle tradewind sleigh ride instead served up a potent cocktail of boisterous seas, blistering heat, tactical duels and profound solitude for the past three weeks, according to the MGR organisers.
“Sailing his home-made 19-foot plywood, Bibi, he had been “grappling with a cracked daggerboard housing and a diet leaning heavily on canned goods, but remained the consummate conservative sailor, prioritising boat integrity over raw speed. His craftsmanship shone through. His home-made electrical system and meticulously aligned keel were topics of pride.”
Crew’s Calm – Jakub Ziemkiewicz, right, relaxes with fellow Mini Globe skippers during a stopover in Recife before the 2,500-nautical mile final leg to Antigua in the McIntyre Mini Globe Race
The fleet of small boats has a short break in Recife until next Thursday, February 19, when at 12 noon local time they will start the final 2,500-nautical mile leg of the around-the-world race to the finish at the National Sailing Academy in Antigua from where the race started last February.
Don McIntyre Founder of the MGR 580 Class race said: “This 28,000 mile solo odyssey in Mini 19ft 5.8mtr plywood home built yachts is also a world first. It makes me proud of the sailors and what they have endured and achieved! Just building the boats was hard - now we’re talking about the finish! I think for all of us, the entrants, families, followers it’s been a five-year dream, or nightmare at times with many unknowns and some critics thought it impossible - yet now we are looking at the end game!!”
Jakub sailed BIBI through the breakwaters into Recife, securing fourth. His achievement on a shoestring budget, staying deeply in tune with his boat, echoed the spirit of his inspiration,” the MGR organising team told Afloat.
Renaud Stitelman sailing Capucinette has led the fleet since the start of the race and continues to do so, being first into Recife.
