Around 1,400 nautical miles of the second leg of the Mini Globe Race have now been sailed and the German Christian Sauer is holding his own at the front. Together with Briton Keri Harris, he is leading the field of 15 Globe-580 yachts. A week ago, on 25 March, the fleet started off the coast of Panama.
Weak wind and strong current at MGR start
In light winds and an air temperature of 33 degrees, the self-built Globe 580s slowly made their way across the starting line not far from the entrance to the Panama Canal. Due to the high volume of boats, the sailors were allowed to use the electric motor on board if necessary.
According to the organisers, the sailors had to contend with the strong current at the start of the leg. This even caused a brief scare on the first night. According to the organisers, the Canadian Dan Turk was pushed towards the coast by the current. Christian Sauer came to his aid and together they were able to free themselves from their predicament. The current then turned in favour of the fleet and quickly drove them away from the coast.
Racing success and technical problems
The fleet eventually continued on its south-westerly course towards the Galapagos Islands. Initially sailing in the midfield, Christian Sauer was finally able to make his way to the front - and maintain his position. However, the racing successes were accompanied by some problems on board the "Argo". Sauer reported technical problems with his Starlink antenna on his Instagram account. His Iridium network also failed at times.
It is a recurring challenge: the German had already reported several problems with his communication technology on earlier stages. In the article, Sauer also mentions an inflammation in his right arm, the loss of his only working mobile phone, incomplete nautical charts and numerous thunderstorms at night.
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Longest leg of the Mini Globe Race
The longest leg of the entire journey now lies ahead of the fleet. A total of 52 days at sea await them on their way from Panama to Fiji. However, the route will not be travelled in one piece. Three stopovers are planned: the Marquesas Islands after 4,700 nautical miles, Papeete after a further 500 nautical miles and Tonga after an additional 1,500 nautical miles. The ship is expected to arrive in Vuda Marina, Fiji, at the end of June.
The sailors also face a number of challenges on this leg of the journey. Firstly, they have to overcome the Doldrums with their unpredictable winds and strong currents. Race director Don McIntyre commented on the situation:
"This is the moment when the Mini Globe Race truly earns its reputation as one of the unique ultimate challenges in sailing."
Overland through Panama
And even before the second leg started, a logistical feat had to be accomplished. The 15 Globe 580 yachts were transported overland from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast of Panama in an unprecedented feat of strength. The sailors would not have been allowed to sail through the Panama Canal as they would simply have been too slow under engine power. The alternative route, the 100-kilometre overland transport, was in turn associated with numerous challenges - including police checks, a strike and difficult traffic conditions.
Mini Globe Race - a tribute to the Guzzwell round-the-world race
The Mini Globe Race honours the pioneers of sailing and marks the 75th anniversary of John Guzzwell's circumnavigation of the globe with his self-built 20-foot yacht "Trekka". The participants sail in custom-built wooden yachts and follow in the footsteps of this legend.
The race comprises a total of five stages. The route begins in Antigua and first leads to Panama, where the boats cross the isthmus. They then continue their course across 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 starts, which will take them back to the Caribbean via the South Atlantic and Brazil. Sailors from eight different countries are taking part, including five participants from Australia and four from the UK.
