Mini Globe Race: Christian Sauer reaches Brazil after second Atlantic crossing

Christian Sauer arrived in Recife, Brazil, at the beginning of February - the second time he has crossed the Atlantic. Carnival is currently being celebrated in the region, giving him two and a half weeks to take a deep breath and experience the celebrations. Then, on 19 February, it's time to set off again: the final leg back to Antigua, the starting point of the Mini Globe Race.

"The mood is really good," says Sauer in an interview with YACHT. "I'm delighted to have completed the South Atlantic." The final leg took the German from the island of St Helena to the Brazilian coast. Recife marks the second and final stopover on the 6,100 nautical mile route from Cape Town to Antigua.

The eleven remaining participants have been sailing solo around the world in their 5.80 metre plywood yachts for over a year, many of which they built themselves. There are still 2,400 nautical miles to Antigua - and they are tough: the Doldrums await the sailors, as well as currents against them and possible headwinds.

• Mini Globe Race: Christian Sauer reaches Cape Town
• Mini Globe Race: Christian Sauer ahead of the final stage

The "Argo" holds out, the body too?

The "Argo" has proved its worth on the last leg of the journey. There are a few small things to repair in Recife, says Sauer, but nowhere near as much as at the start of the journey. He had only just made it to the starting line back then and had to keep making adjustments along the way, tweaking and adjusting at every stopover. Fortunately, this has eased, so that he now has more time to enjoy the stops, says Sauer.

However, his health is becoming more difficult. His shoulders are increasingly causing him problems, especially the right side. He can no longer manage without painkillers. That's why he has to go to hospital in Recife. He is relying on rest on land, hoping for some relief.

It was not calm at sea. The waves were very difficult, says Sauer. "Some of the waves were constantly criss-crossing." Then the tiller pilot failed, then the wind steering system gave up - he had to steer by hand. "The movements of the small boat are so fast and uncontrolled. It's super difficult to move around inside, let alone sleep."

Placement in the Mini Globe Race is not everything

He was unable to catch up with Ireland's Jakub Ziemkiewicz, as had been his plan. He slipped back one place in the overall field. Not too bad, he says. Right from the start, his aim was to sail around the world in a boat he built himself - not for the sake of finishing. "And I'm on the right track with that."

He has now crossed the longitude at which Lagos in Portugal lies - his starting point at the end of December 2024. He has now crossed all 360 degrees of longitude. What is still missing for the official circumnavigation is the second equator crossing, which is scheduled for the next stage.

Slowly, however, he realises that the adventure is coming to an end. He doesn't yet know what comes next. He wants to tackle it as before - and take it as it comes.

More about the Mini Globe Race

The Mini Globe Race is the first of its kind: the first race around the world for the world's smallest standardised class.

• The barefoot route takes you around the world in a total of four stages with numerous possible stopovers. The start in Antigua was the 23 February 2025.
• The participants sail on boats from the Class Globe 5.80 - a 5.80 metre long, self-built small cruiser made of plywood and coated with fibreglass and epoxy. Read more here.
• The inventor of the boats and the race is the Australian circumnavigator Don McIntyre. In addition to the Mini Globe Race, he also created the Golden Globe and Ocean Globe Race. You can find an interview here.
• More info for the Mini Globe Race here.