GLOBE40 – DAILY ECHOES – October 8, 2025
A gap of only 33 minutes at the Equator separates BELGIUM OCEAN RACING-CURIUM in the lead from CREDIT MUTUEL as of Wednesday, October 8, late morning. There have been 16 leadership changes between four Class40s since the start in Mindelo, with 5,859 miles remaining on the direct route as of 6:00 PM. This showcases the competitive nature of the event, far beyond just a picturesque journey to exotic locations. The intense Franco-Belgian rivalry continues, with both boats closely matched and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.
However, NEXT GENERATION BOATING AROUND THE WORLD, the young German team, has struggled through the doldrums and is currently over 100 miles behind the leaders. As the fleet prepares for a long port tack to navigate around the St Helena high—expected to take at least a week to ten days—speed differentials may come into play, with the German boat known for its speed in certain sailing conditions. With only 15% of the course completed (a little over 1,000 miles out of 7,000), the race is still in its early stages.
The recent experience in the doldrums has been challenging for the fleet of Class40s, known for their sharp designs. Over the last four to five days, they have confronted the doldrums’ notorious reputation, which has proven extensive, unstable, and difficult to navigate. This period has become almost philosophical, where moving at 1 knot is a significant achievement amidst temperatures of 35°C outside and 30°C in the water, all while contending with unpredictable squalls and dark clouds. The skippers have captured stunning images, contributing to the daily competition for the best Instagram post, with the Austro-English crew of WILSON AROUND THE WORLD among the leading contenders for their impressive submissions.
As of Wednesday evening, the fleet is gradually emerging from the doldrums, benefiting from a light breeze that has allowed them to regain previously unattainable speeds. The group of five boats now finds itself nearly aligned from east to west, with minimal gaps between them: BARCO BRASIL and FREE DOM are just 0.4 miles apart by 18:00, while WILSON is maintaining a 10-mile distance. JANGADA RACING and WHISKEY JACK, after an initial breakaway, are also re-establishing their competitive positions. The fleet is heading south, navigating a long stretch between Brazil to the west and the St. Helena High to the east, before making a significant leap into the forties and towards the southern tip of Africa. This experience in the Doldrums will be a memorable one for many sailors, most of whom are crossing this region for the first time.
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Story by: SIRIUS EVENEMENTS
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