Irish sailor Jakub Ziemkiewicz is on the final stretch of a 24,000-mile solo circumnavigation. On Thursday, the 19th of February at 2 pm local time, he departed Recife, Brazil, on the last 2,300-mile leg of the McIntyre Mini Globe Race.
Eleven ALMA Class Globe 580 yachts remain in the race. They are bound for the National Sailing Academy in Antigua, where the adventure began a year ago. Fifteen sailors originally set off on 23 February 2025 in home-built 19ft plywood boats. Three retired for financial reasons and one due to health.
The start inside Recife Harbour was managed by the Pernambuco Sailing Federation. Conditions were light but steady.
“We will miss the 580 teams, and it was a pleasure to host the Mini Globe Race,” said Manolo and Sueli of Marina Recife, the race’s Brazilian port hosts. “We hope to see the Mini Globe Race again in 2029.”
The fleet faces a complex final leg. Competitors must negotiate the doldrums, strong currents, floating debris from the Amazon and freshening trade winds approaching Antigua. Many sails are worn after a year at sea.
Eric Marsh on Sunbear accepted a 48-hour time penalty before departure after fitting a new mainsail. Others opted to continue with existing sails.
Early tactics split the fleet. Keri Harris and Christian Sauer headed offshore in search of a stronger breeze and a favourable current. The majority stayed inshore in lighter headwinds.
Fourteen hours later, Harris had lost 40 miles to Spanish skipper Pilar Pasanau, who led the fleet for the first time in the race. Only days separate the leading pack. Swiss sailor Renaud Stitelmann has won every leg to date and remains the benchmark.
Beyond positions, the race has tested resilience. Several sailors have spoken openly about the psychological strain since leaving Cape Town. The isolation of solo sailing in 5.8m yachts has reshaped perspectives and priorities.
Now, with Antigua in sight, Jakub and the remaining competitors are closing in on the finish of one of the smallest-boat solo races ever attempted. Racing continues with daily tracker updates at 1200 UTC.
