Ocean Globe Race: Great pictures of the fast-paced ride around Cape Horn

The three yachts follow at the head of the fleet, which is led by the French "Pen Duick VI". Eric Tabarly's daughter Marie Tabarly skippers the famous yacht. She left Cape Horn in her wake on 6 February. Shortly afterwards, the Italian crew on "Translated 9" also completed the highlight of this circumnavigation for amateur crews. Both ships then headed north and sailed almost parallel courses as far as the Falkland Islands. But then it happened: knockdown on "Translated 9"!

Italian crew of favourites forced to turn around after knockdown

The crew has now turned round and set course for the Falkland Islands. According to the organiser of the Ocean Globe Race, the ship has suffered damage to the hull. The MRCCs in the region have been informed and the crew on board are trying to repair the damage. The boats in the neighbourhood have also been informed. Meanwhile, "Pen Duick VI" continues to sail north, now with an ever-increasing gap to the rest of the field.

Women's teams in top positions

This means that two boats skippered by women are now sailing in the leading positions in the race: The women's crew on "Maiden" could soon be in second place following the cancellation of "Translated 9" - although it remains to be seen whether one of the yachts will have to come to the Italians' aid.

On the occasion of this special moment off Cape Horn, the "Maiden crew" reported from on board to the organiser:

Land in sight! Albatross! Mousse au Chocolat! Rainbows! We rounded Cape Horn last night! Celebrations underway :)"

Video shows the surf off Cape Horn

Marie Tabarly's crew captured the Cape Horn passage in a video, which can be viewed on the Ocean Globe Race YouTube channel and shows the impressive weather conditions on site. Tabarly gives a relaxed commentary in French and talks about a bet with her compatriot and professional skipper Charles Caudrelier, who rounded Cape Horn on the same day during the Arkea Ultim Challenge, which was taking place at the same time.

Marie Tabarly:

"From Cape Horn, we set course for the Atlantic towards Punta del Este, passing through the strait to the west of the Falkland Islands. "Translated 9" followed closely behind us in the strait, overtaken by Charles Caudrelier and Gitana, who are also completing their circumnavigation. So we won our bet and arrived before the Ultims. It was nice at Cape Horn, we had a little chat with Charles and will meet up again in Lorient."

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.

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