Credit Mutuel Class40 has won Leg 5 of the GLOBE40 after a 5,898-nautical-mile passage from Valparaiso to Recife. The French team crossed the finish line at 22:20 UTC after 25 days and five hours at sea.
Skippers Ian Lipinski and Antoine Carpentier averaged 9.7 knots over the course. The leg had been expected to deliver a close duel with Belgium Ocean Racing - Curium. However, early damage to the Belgian boat forced a stop in Valdivia, allowing Credit Mutuel to build a significant lead.
The French crew rounded Cape Horn on 26 February with an advantage of nearly 600 miles. Favourable conditions at the Horn contrasted with a demanding climb north through the South Atlantic.
Crews faced light winds, shifting weather systems, and rising temperatures as they approached the Brazilian coast. Belgium Ocean Racing staged a strong recovery, reducing the gap to just 12 miles by 11 March. The comeback was slowed after an encounter with fishing gear off Pernambuco, costing valuable time.
Credit Mutuel regained control and held a lead of around 50 miles to the finish.
Belgium Ocean Racing - Curium is expected to finish second later tonight, around 80 miles behind. The result leaves both teams tied on 19 points in the overall standings, pending confirmation by the race committee. The final leg will now decide the outcome of the race.
Further down the fleet, Free Dom moved ahead after issues for Barco Brasil, while Jangada Racing and Whiskey Jack remained closely matched. A compressed finish is expected among the chasing group as they approach Recife.
