Cork Harbour solo sailor Jakub Ziemkiewicz has finished sixth overall in the McIntyre Mini Globe Race after completing a solo circumnavigation of the globe.
Ziemkiewicz crossed the finish line in Antigua on Sunday evening aboard the Irish-flagged yacht BIBI (#185), returning to the Caribbean finish port where the race began in February last year.
The Irish skipper completed the 24,000-mile race in 200 days, 13 hours, 18 minutes and seven seconds of sailing time.
The Mini Globe Race is the first round-the-world yacht race sailed in ALMA Globe 580 class yachts — home-built plywood boats measuring just 19ft.
A fleet of 15 sailors from eight countries set off from Antigua in September 2025, racing westabout through all the world’s oceans before returning to the Caribbean finish.
Swiss skipper Renaud Stitelmann, sailing CAPUCINETTE (#28), won the inaugural edition after claiming victory on every leg.
He set the first race record of 180 days, 11 hours, 25 minutes and 57 seconds, averaging 5.54 knots around the globe.
Australia’s Dan Turner (IMMORTAL GAME) finished second in 184 days, followed by Britain’s Keri Harris (ORIGAMI) in third.
Spain’s Pilar Pasanau (PETER PUNK) took fourth place and Britain’s Adam Waugh (LITTLE WREN) finished fifth overall.
Race founder Don McIntyre described the finish as a milestone moment for the class.
“This really is a momentous occasion for these sailors,” McIntyre said.
“The Mini Globe Race is a serious adventure, but it shows that the human spirit has no bounds if the dream is strong enough.”
The race concept was launched in 2020 and centres on the one-design ALMA Globe 580 yacht, designed by Polish naval architect Janusz Maderski.
Despite extreme Southern Ocean conditions, including six to seven metre seas, the small yachts completed the circumnavigation without major structural failures.
Organisers say the second edition of the Mini Globe Race is already planned for 2029, with more than 25 sailors expressing interest.
Several competitors remain at sea and are expected to arrive in Antigua over the coming days.
The official prize-giving ceremony is scheduled for 20 March at the National Sailing Academy.
