400 Miles to the Finish

The McIntyre Mini Globe race is a world first race many thought impossible. The McIntyre Golden Globe Race pushes 36ft yachts solo around the world in 212 days. The Vendee Globe 60ft yachts fly solo around in 65 days. 100 ft Ultim Trimarans scream around solo in 43 days. The McIntyre MGR 19ft 580’s will take 181 days. What does that tell you? Not much, but declares with some pride that a significant NEW “solo around the world yacht race” is on the global calendar. It’s not the fastest and it’s not non-stop, but it’s every bit as serious and challenging as the others!

When the 15 solo sailors departed Antigua on February 23rd 2025 in their mighty Mini’s, they completed a lap of honour through the mega yacht fleet in Antigua, fog horns blaring! The big buoys responded with bigger horns, wondering who would return. No one could say if anyone would? In a few days on March 8th, ten of the world’s largest yachts finish the four day “Superyacht Challenge Antigua”. It’s also the last day of racing solo around the world for the winner of the MGR. 11 Alma Globe 580’s are returning fog horns blaring. The entire fleet would fit on the deck of the magnificent “Hetairos” racing that day.That’s fun and cool with a capital “C”

15 solo sailors departed Antigua on February 23, 2025 in their mighty Minis. Now 11 are on track to return, the other four retired for personal reasons, not because their boats failed – proving the ALMA Class 580 is built to sail around the world. Credit: Don McIntyre / MGR2025

The end is in sight. After 15 months and over 24,000 miles, the intrepid skippers of the McIntyre Mini Globe Race 2025 are on the final charge from Recife, Brazil, to the finish line in Antigua at the National Sailing Academy. This leg, however, is proving to be a classic “sting in the tail,” throwing everything it has at the fleet as they fight their way north.

The departure from Recife on February 19th was a colorful affair, with Keri Harris on ORIGAMI nailing the start, yet receiving a three hour penalty for not having his motor fitted. He was followed closely by Renaud Stitelmann on CAPUCINETTE. But the vibrant Carnival city left a parting gift for several skippers. Keri and Jasmine Harrison (NUMBATOU) both departed battling high fevers and fatigue, while Jakub Ziemkiewicz on BIBI and Josh Kali on SKOOKUM also struggled with gastric issues, making the first few days a grueling test of willpower.

The race up the coast of South America has become a fascinating tactical battle. The leaders, Renaud and the ever-determined Pilar Pasanau on PETER PUNK, have hugged the Brazilian coast, chasing a powerful 1.5-knot current that has propelled them forward. “It’s just a lottery,” Renaud chuckled during a check-in, dodging squalls and fluky doldrums. “Each time you have a cloud, it will either push you or you just stop.”

Hot on their heels is Dan Turner on IMMORTAL GAME, who, despite a pulled back muscle and three days basically in his bunk, is simply focused on having fun. “I’ve got nothing to prove,” he said, dodging unlit fishing boats that are making sleep a rare commodity. Jakub, now recovered, is reveling in the conditions on BIBI. He even paid an emotional tribute to his late friend, a famous kayaker, as he crossed the path of his Atlantic crossing. 600 miles from the finish he fell heavily in the cockpit impacting performance once again.

Further back, the fleet is a mix of strategic gambles and sheer grit. Christian Sauer on ARGO, battling a shoulder injury since Panama , now requiring surgery, is persevering with remarkable resolve. Adam Waugh on LITTLE WREN, who nearly threw in the towel psychologically on the last leg, is back in high spirits after a “delightfully dry” equator crossing, though he admits the final upwind miles “seem to take forever.”

The conditions have been nothing short of brutal. Torrential rain, 40-knot squalls, and confused seas have pummeled the tiny yachts. Jasmine the youngest sailor reported being knocked down with her cockpit flooded, fighting for six hours straight. “I hate squalls,” she posted. “They don’t like to at least kiss you first out here.” Her mother, Susan, has been keeping the world updated on her exhausting battle against sleep deprivation and constant sail changes. Eric Marsh on SUNBEAR, the oldest in the fleet at 72 faced a 45-knot squall that came from nowhere, grateful for his new mainsail. He’s now dealing with asthma aggravated by the constant moisture.

Meanwhile, enjoying a slightly more civilized passage is Ertan Beskardes on TREKKA. By sticking to his routine of reducing sail at night for a full sleep and retreating to his dry cabin, he’s keeping his boat in pristine condition. “The trip must be comfortable and fun,” he said, sipping tea and probably queuing up Netflix. Despite slipping a few places, he’s as upbeat as ever, his TREKKA in “magnificent shape.” and like a few entrants, has been sold to a new Chinese owner for the 2026 Transat!! Ertan is already planning new adventures.

As they cleared the mouth of the Amazon, a new enemy appeared: massive mats of sargassum seaweed. Dan described his speed halving as he plowed through a field of it, while Josh is constantly clearing it from his rudder. Josh, who stands to set a record for the smallest American-flagged yacht to circumnavigate, is hoping this adventure will open doors to future offshore sailing. “I hope it inspires people to try something they’ve been thinking about,” he said.

With just under 400 miles to go, the final tactical decisions are being made. The western gamblers (Renaud, Pilar, Dan, Keri, Christian) are riding the current fast but risk a hard beat to windward against the finish line. The eastern pack (Jakub, Adam, Jasmine, Eric, Josh, Ertan) hope for a better wind angle and a shorter final sprint. One thing is certain: every single one of these skippers has shown the courage to chase a dream. As they close in on Antigua, they are all, in their own way, victorious. We’ll be watching every mile. These sailors are turning the ALMA Globe 580 into a legend. The last few miles are not a victory lap, they are the last page of a very human adventure, a great one design race and an epic story for this MGR Family!