Christian Sauer has already travelled from Portugal to Tahiti in his self-built Globe 580. That alone is an impressive achievement. But things are currently looking bleak for the German participant in the Mini Globe Race. He has been battling a previously unknown skin infection for months. Various antibiotics and, most recently, two days in hospital in Tahiti have not yet brought the hoped-for cure.
Then there's his shoulder. He drags the complaints already since the Atlantic crossing around with him. At times he thought it was something muscular, says Sauer. An examination of the joint has now revealed that one of the ligaments is torn. The local doctors advise an immediate operation. But that would mean the end of the Mini Globe Race for him.
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
Mini Globe Race end? Decision to be made in Fiji
But what happens now? If he were to have surgery on site, he would have to expect a recovery period of three to six months. Another surgeon he spoke to advised him that an operation could be performed later. He has therefore decided to sail to Fiji. "I will then have to make a decision there - whether to continue in the Mini Globe Race or not. I can only judge that step by step," he says in an interview with YACHT.
Ongoing problems with the power supply
In addition to the physical challenges, Sauer also has to contend with some familiar problems on board the Argo. One annoyance is the wind steering system, which he replaced at sea. As he says, this was the right decision, as it now works much better. There are also still problems with the power supply. "I try to save as much energy as possible. But I often have too little," he says. The charging capacity is simply not enough. Cloudy skies and empty batteries have forced him to switch off all systems at times. He is currently trying to find out exactly what the problem is. He has not yet found a solution.
Optimistic despite adversity
Despite all the difficulties, Christian Sauer remains optimistic and is grateful:
"This journey is already life-changing. However, I wouldn't be here without my partner, Hedwig, and my team, who are constantly supporting me from Germany. I am incredibly grateful and infinitely happy to have made it this far."
However, he emphasises that there are definitely difficult moments. "We don't push the limits of technology with our small sailing boats, but we do push the limits of what a person can endure."
Tonga is the next stop on the Mini Globe Race
Its next leg to Tonga begins today, 22 May 2025. Another seven-day stopover is planned there before the journey continues to Fiji. He is currently in sixth place out of a total of 15 boats taking part in the Mini Globe Race. The Canadian Dan Turk is ahead of him with a lead of around 140 nautical miles. Sauer estimates that it will take him around two weeks to reach Tonga. It is still over 1950 nautical miles to Fiji.
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
More about the Globe 580 and the Mini Globe Race:
- Interview with McIntyre: "The aim is to inspire people"
- German at the start of the self-build Transat race
- Boatbuilding adventure: the first self-build minis are created
- More information about the start of the Mini Globe Race: minigloberace.com/race-start/
