On Thursday, January 1st, the competitors of the 2nd edition of the GLOBE40 set off at 3:00 PM local time from Sydney Harbour for their 4th leg towards Chile and Valparaiso. The skippers will cover 6,400 nautical miles, reaching once again the low latitudes on the planet, with a limit of 50° South as per race rules. The sailors will have to cross the entire Pacific Ocean, from Australia to Chile, with New Zealand being the last landmass before venturing into the vast ocean. This leg is crucial, having a coefficient of 3, impacting the overall rankings, which are currently led by the newer Class40s known as “scows,” and in the ranking of the classic Class40s, or “pointus.”
A remarkable stopover in Sydney
The halfway point in Sydney has been a highlight for the race. The event has seen the participation of all but one Class40, with the young Germans of NEXT GENERATION expected to join at the Brazilian stopover. Sydney has provided a perfect backdrop for this maritime event, appreciated by a public familiar with sailing. The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS) and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) have both played pivotal roles in welcoming the teams, despite being in the midst of organising the iconic Sydney-Hobart race. The skippers will cherish the memories of Sydney’s iconic landmarks and the camaraderie shared with the local sailing community.
A Pacific crossing as a New Year’s wish.
Competitors are charting their course from Sydney Harbour to Valparaiso Bay, with New Zealand being a significant hurdle on their route. Options include a northern route, the Cook Strait, or a southern route, with the latter appearing more probable at this stage. They will navigate under 50° South for the majority of the crossing. While previous legs involved comparable distances, this crossing presents unique challenges as they traverse the ocean westward and contend with adverse weather patterns near “Point Nemo.” This leg is anticipated to be as demanding as those before it, with the boats and equipment serviced in Sydney needing to withstand the rigours ahead. The forecast suggests around three weeks at sea for this section.
A crucial stage for the overall standings…
The BELGIUM OCEAN RACING – CURIUM team triumphed in the previous stage, closely followed by CREDIT MUTUEL after a brilliant finish in Sydney Harbour. The gap between these two teams is just two points, with significant changes in crew: Djemila Tassin joins the Belgian crew, while Ian Lipinski has stepped down for CREDIT MUTUEL to allow Antoine Carpentier and Alan Roberts to lead. Key positions in the rankings remain closely contested, particularly with teams like BARCO BRASIL (26.5 points), FREE DOM (31 points), and WILSON (34 points) fighting for podium placements. JANGADA RACING is just 0.5 points behind WHISKEY JACK, making the competition intense among top teams.
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