Ocean Globe Race: First retirements in South Africa, strong crews at the front
Kristina Müller
· 21.11.2023
Famous yachts lead the field
Skipper Marie Tabarly leads the field on the "Pen Duick VI". The famous French yacht, which already took part in the 1977 Whitbread Race, ploughs through the Southern Ocean at an average speed of ten knots. She is being chased by the "Translated 9" crew, whose boat also took part in 1977.
"Maiden" and "Spirit of Helsinki" sailed a strong race in third and fourth place. The Finns on the "Spirit" had sailed to victory on leg one to Cape Town but are now more than 500 nautical miles behind the leading "Pen Duick VI".
First cancellations in South Africa
The Swan "Sterna", sailing under the South African flag, had to start the leg across the Indian Ocean late because a crack in the lower part of the mast had to be repaired first. However, just three days after setting off - South Africa was not yet completely astern - the international crew turned round, in which the German-Turkish Ebru Yaral also sails, again. This time with rudder problems. The harbour in Mossel Bay, South Africa, was approached for the repair, where the boat can be lifted out of the water for rudder repairs.
The Swan 57 "Explorer" with Golden Globe skipper Marc Sinclair also turned around after a delayed start to the 7,000-mile leg to Auckland. The reason: in a squall, the genoa apparently damaged the forestay. To replace it, the crew turned round and sailed back to Cape Town.
The crew of the US-flagged Swan 51 "Godspeed" did not even start the second leg of the Ocean Globe Race. They had only reached Cape Town after the fleet had already set course for New Zealand again. So their announcement to stop in Cape Town came as little surprise.
About the Ocean Globe Race
The Retro race around the world is taking place this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race. On 10 September 2023, 14 crews set off from Southampton on the 27,000-mile voyage, which is divided into four stages and leads through the Southern Ocean and around the three large capes.
The stopovers are in Cape Town in South Africa, Auckland in New Zealand and Punta del Este in Uruguay, before the circumnavigation ends back in the UK in April 2024.
