Globe 5.80 Transat: Big adventure in small boats: Across the Atlantic at 5.80 metres

It's hard to believe - but it's true. Four Class Globe 5.80 boats set off on a transatlantic voyage from the southern Portuguese harbour city of Lagos at midday today. They want to sail across the ocean to the Caribbean in two stages - similar to the current mini-transat. The only difference is that their boats are another 70 centimetres shorter than the tried and tested Minis 6.50 - and are all home-made.

Small do-it-yourself yacht for inside and outside

The Polish designer Janusz Maderski developed this type of boat a good one and a half years ago, together with Don McInytre, organiser of ocean races with an adventurous character. YACHT has reported on it several times, including the German self-builder Georg Lützelberger who plans to complete his boat next summer.

The concept met with great demand. According to McIntyre, 170 plans have been sold in 27 countries to date. And the fastest self-builders are now actually taking the big leap with their plywood boxes trimmed to be seaworthy.

The Transat heralds the start of a small series of ocean races that will culminate in a single-handed regatta around the world in two years' time.

The participants: six sailors from all over the world

Six skippers, almost all of whom have built their boats themselves in the last 18 months, have signed up for the adventure, including two Swiss.

Severin Hummer, 25, has always dreamed of building a boat himself. Ocean sailing runs in his family. Whilst looking for a mini, he became aware of the Class Globe 5.80 through YACHT reports - and ordered the plans. Now he is embarking on the big trip on his "Shrimp".

Etienne Messikommer, 33, comes from the French-speaking part of Switzerland. He met organiser McIntyre on one of his previous sailing adventures and was quickly hooked on the 5.80 project. It took him a year to build his "Numbatou", with which he also wants to take part in the Mini Globe Race 2024.

The CzechMichal Krysta, 36, regularly seeks out the extreme. He is a paraglider, mountaineer and whitewater paddler. Now he wants to go to sea. Krysta has been sailing since he was six and is particularly looking forward to being alone on the upcoming transat with his "Menawan".

The 40-year-old BritonPeter Kenyon sees the Transat as a very personal challenge. "At first I just wanted to build the boat," he says. "Then I built the boat, so why don't I just try to sail this Transat?"

Jim Schofieldfrom Ireland, 58, wants to join the small fleet with his "Molly Claire" at the stopover on Lanzarote. His boat was not in Lagos in time for the start and he wants to sail behind the other skippers.

Organiser sails along himself

The sixth skipper is none other than the organiserDon McIntyre himself. The Australian had actually wanted to take part in the Golden Globe Race Revival himself, but then concentrated exclusively on organising the non-stop regatta around the world.

But now, according to McIntyre, it's time to finally experience another deep-sea adventure in a small boat. He sails the construction number one "Trekka", which was built in Poland. However, until Lanzarote he wants to take part out of competition and not in regatta mode, as he has had too little time sailing on the "Trekka". German Lutz Kohne will therefore take over the race management duties.

Start, finish - and how to follow the adventurers

They now have 600 nautical miles to go to their destination off the Marina Rubicon on Lanzarote. The starting signal for the actual transatlantic leg is due to be given there on 18 November. The first to complete the almost 3,000 nautical miles across the ocean and reach the Antigua Yacht Club first will win the race. But now it's time to get through the premiere. The first leg is intended to be more of a qualifier than a real race.

Information and updates about the race on the Facebook page "Globe 5.80 Transat".

To the Tracker (click).

To the Website of the regatta.