Christian Sauer (44) has done it - in two ways. Firstly, he completed his "Argo", a self-built Class Globe 5.80 boat, in time for the start of the first leg across the Atlantic. Secondly, he successfully completed the approximately 550 nautical mile crossing to Lanzarote. After 7 days, 1 hour and 19 minutes, it arrived in the Rubicón marina in the south of the island at around 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
"That was pretty cool - sometimes tough"
"To be honest, I can't believe I'm here now," said Christian Sauer immediately after his arrival to the Globe 5.80 founder and organiser, Australian Don McIntyre. According to Sauer, it was the first time he had travelled single-handed for several days. "It was pretty cool - sometimes tough. But there were so many moments that I really enjoyed."
A week ago, on 28 December 2024, he and nine other boats set off from Lagos in Portugal. Two other participants set off a day earlier in the hope of encountering calmer conditions further south.
Changeable conditions
Initially, moderate winds from the east pushed the fleet towards the south-west. However, the wind shifted off the Canary Islands, forcing the boats to take more acute courses at times. Later, less than a hundred nautical miles from the finish, weak winds again demanded a great deal of patience from the sailors.
Sauer reached the finish line in eighth place, about a day and a half after the first boat in the fleet, the "Capucinette" of the Swiss Renaud Stitelmann.
First major test
According to Sauer, he was primarily interested in familiarising himself with the boat. After all, the 44-year-old was unable to gain any experience before the crossing. He only managed to finalise his boat just before the start. But the initial verdict is positive:
"When sailing, you notice a few things that still need to be improved. But overall, it's really very solid."
So he hardly had any problems worth mentioning, says Sauer. There was no water below deck, the sleeping area remained dry and nothing broke. However, he was also careful not to overdo it, says Sauer.
More about the Class Globe 5.80:
Problems with seasickness and steering gear
According to Sauer, one problem he had to contend with was seasickness. He suffered from it for the first two days and therefore spent the first night in the cockpit. With the help of tablets, the symptoms were over by the third day.
He is also not yet satisfied with the wind steering system. The position of the steering lines is not yet optimal and there is still some catching up to do, he says. In addition, he has often had problems with the communication and the solar panels also need to be readjusted, says Sauer.
He now has seven days to finalise his preparations. Then, on 11 January, Christian Sauer will set off across the Atlantic in the third Globe 5.80 Transat race. A total of 15 boats are registered for the race. The boats are expected to arrive in Antigua at the beginning of February.
First the Atlantic, then the Mini Globe Race
The Class Globe 5.80 Mini Globe Race starts there on 23 February, and Christian Sauer is also planning to take part in the race around the world. In a total of four stages with numerous possible stopovers, the barefoot route will take him around the globe. The two stages of the Globe 5.80 Transat - from Lagos to Lanzarote and to Antigua - are the two qualifying races for the Mini Globe Race. If the participants complete both stages, they can take part in the race around the world.
