For more than two weeks, the teams of theGlobe 40-The Class 40 regatta is now in its fifth leg from Papeete (Tahiti) to Ushuaia (Argentina). Around 1,000 miles off Cape Horn, the Class 40 crews have to contend with a series of low-pressure systems bringing winds of up to 50 knots. Although the skippers have not reported any serious damage so far, the atmosphere is tense and focussed during this difficult phase, which is due to culminate in the rounding of the legendary Cape at the end of the week. Only five of the seven registered yachts were able to start this leg at all.
The crew of the Japanese"MILAI Around The World"which is currently in first place, crossed the 50th parallel south and thus entered the realm of the "Furious Fifties" yesterday. After a first week in which the lead was constantly changing, they were able to pull out a lead over the fleet thanks to the strong winds and a timely sail repair. But everything is still open.
50 knots in the gusts
Yesterday, a more severe low-pressure system than forecast passed over the fleet and caused an average wind speed of 35 knots, with gusts of up to 50 knots. Not an easy situation for the two-handed crews. In these critical moments, solidarity and team spirit take precedence over sporting goals for a few hours. This was also demonstrated by the message from Frans Budel ("SEC HAYAI") once again impressively. The skipper of the overall leader (after Leg 4) addressed the other teams: "Hello everyone, the weather is getting heavy. We want to tell you all to be careful, stay safe and try to sail fast in the meantime. Hang in there! Greetings, Frans and Ysbra".
The Americans Joe Harris and Roger Junet ("GRYPHON SOLO 2") suffered damage around 1,400 miles from the Horn - the gennaker (A3) tore. The crew had already thought about recovering the sail due to the increasing wind and were about to do so. But the destruction of the gennaker was not the end of the story, as Joe Harris impressively reports:
"As we are assuming that the wind will remain at around 30 knots and we are heading downwind, I decide to unfurl the genoa. It doesn't take long before the wind picks up to 40 knots in gusts, then 45 knots and we should clearly have set the smaller staysail. The boat races down the waves at a speed of 15 to 26 knots, somewhat overconfident and uncontrolled. I'm annoyed again that I set too much sail, a mistake I don't often make, but twice now, because I was trying to be aggressive and gain miles in the race instead of looking after the boat."
The field is currently back in much more moderate conditions, but is expecting 30 knots and more again off Cape Horn.
Ushuaia awaits the new Cape Horners
TheGlobe 40 is an eight-stage round-the-world race that is accessible to both amateurs and professional skippers. It is also sailed on a boat that is both competitive and reasonably affordable. For many, the Class40 now offers an important intermediate step from the Mini 6.50 to the large Imocas. The German offshore youngsters Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink are also at home in the class with a joint project.
The course offers some unique stopovers, such as Mauritius, Tahiti or Ushuaia in the south of Argentina. The place at the 'end of the world' and the 'gateway to Antarctica' is the next stop for the participants. As atypical as the destination is in the world of regattas, it is also beautiful, surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of Patagonia and the rich marine fauna of the Beagle Channel.
On board the Japanese"MILAI Around The World"
Update of the overall leaders ("SEC HAYAI")
The route
