Following their successful Atlantic crossing in the Globe 5.80 Transat a fortnight ago, the sailors of the Globe 5.80 class are now facing a new challenge. On Sunday, 23 February 2025, 15 single-handed sailors from eight different nations will set off from the coast of Antigua for the Mini Globe Race. This journey will take them around the world in stages and cover a total of 26,000 nautical miles, which they will cover in around 13 months on their self-built plywood yachts. The participants bring a wide range of different experiences with them: The oldest sailor is 71 years old, while others have previously climbed mountains or crossed deserts.
Self-built for a special adventure
It is an extraordinary adventure for special sailors in an equally extraordinary boat. Instead of being built in series, almost all the boats in the class are self-built. Most of the participants took around four years to build their own boats. The frames are made of solid wood, while the outer skin is planked with plywood and coated with several layers of fibreglass epoxy. With a length of 19 feet, the hull fits easily into a 20-foot container without the mast, rudder blade and keel. High-tech is nowhere to be found on board; instead, the simplicity of self-assembly and the safety of the construction are at the top of the list of priorities.
Sailing for a wider audience
According to the MGR organiser and inventor of the Globe 5.80, Don McIntyre from Australia, the aim of this new boat class and the Mini Globe Race is to make sailing accessible to a wider audience. The self-build concept of an ocean-going cruiser made of plywood enables even amateurs with a limited budget to embark on an adventure. McIntyre sees the MGR as an alternative to the increasingly expensive professional regattas: "We are returning to the origins of adventure. Here, endurance and a talent for improvisation are more important than high-tech." Sailors in 37 countries around the world are already building the Globe 580 boats.
First acid test passed
The Globe 5.80 has proven that it can withstand the extreme demands of ocean crossings in its three successful transatlantic races. This was also the case in this year's Globe 5.80 Transat. The approximately 3,000 nautical mile race from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean is the qualifying race for the Mini Globe Race.
After his arrival in Antigua, the German participant told YACHT that the violent boat movements in particular had given him a hard time. "It's like a rodeo. It doesn't just go up and down - the boat turns in all directions." He often bumped into things, which led to bruises and swollen knees.
Still a few things to do
He also had major problems with his sails. One of his two jibs was damaged to such an extent that it could no longer be repaired on board. In addition, a gennaker tore and the mainsail was also damaged during the crossing. His satellite communication was also not working properly. Even receiving weather data was difficult. He now had just over two weeks in Antigua to rectify the problems.
Mini Globe Race: Around the world in stages
The Mini Globe Race consists of five stages. The route starts in Antigua and first leads to Panama, where the boats are transported across the isthmus. They then cross the Pacific to Fiji. From there, they sail north past Australia into the Indian Ocean and on to Cape Town. After a Christmas break, the final leg will take them back to the Caribbean via the South Atlantic and Brazil.
Christian Sauer in the YACHT podcast
Christian Sauer spoke to Timm Kruse in the YACHT podcast about how he is looking ahead to the Mini Globe Race. Here is a short extract:
(...)
Timm Kruse: So far you have crossed a rather small ocean. What still lies ahead of you?
Christian Sauer: The Atlantic crossing was a baptism of fire for me. And I didn't get off the boat and say: 'Nope, never again, I'm not sailing any further'. Sure, there were difficult moments. But there are also the great moments when you can enjoy sailing, when it's just fun to surf down the waves in great weather. That's why I decided to keep going. (...)
Once you've passed Panama, you have a huge tour ahead of you. Do you have any respect for it?
It's going to be incredibly long, yes. I have a lot of respect for that. As long as the boat is moving, you're in good spirits as a sailor. As we have to pass the equator, it can of course happen that we get stuck in the calms for a while. I haven't experienced that yet. What's more, the length of the leg means that the supplies we have with us will be pretty much at the limit. It will be exciting. That's for sure.
And you have no way of obtaining water on board?
I actually have a still with me as safety equipment. I might be able to use it. I know the data sheet off by heart, but I haven't used it yet. I also don't know how much it can produce per day. We are also allowed to take a manual desalination system with us. But it's sealed so that nobody relies solely on this device and simply dumps their water overboard because it's a lot of ballast. I will try to manage as best I can with what I have. (...)
You can now listen to the whole conversation in the 34th episode of the YACHT podcast:
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