GLOBE40 2025/2026 – 26th February 2026
Ian Lipinski and Antoine Carpentier lead the 5th leg
A major ocean first for the Class40
3,000 miles of a tricky course to go
At 13:03:12 UTC, the Class40 CREDIT MUTUEL No. 202 rounded Cape Horn, crossing the intermediate ranking line for this leg with a comfortable lead. This marked a significant moment for both the skippers and the Class40 fleet as it highlights their capability in competitive ocean sailing. With 3,000 miles yet to reach Recife, Brazil, they will have to navigate the unpredictable conditions of the South Atlantic.
Access to the mythology of Cape Horn
Rounding Cape Horn is a notable achievement for the CREDIT MUTUEL team, connecting them to the legacy of sailing legends. Only a select few crews in this edition, including Mélodie Schaeffer and Paul Stratford on WHISKEY JACK, share the heritage of having successfully completed this iconic passage. Despite a challenging start for this leg with technical issues affecting other competitors, CREDIT MUTUEL maintained a lead of nearly 600 miles over BELGIUM OCEAN RACING-CURIUM, who remains in first place overall.
A major step forward for the Class40
The successful transit of the entire Class40 fleet from Lorient to Valparaiso without major incidents underscores the race’s competitiveness—a remarkable feat for boats previously overshadowed by larger monohulls and multihulls. This milestone reinforces the Class40’s position in the ocean racing scene, evidenced by the breaking of the 24-hour distance record twice during GLOBE40 and establishes an inclusive pathway for budget-conscious racers seeking the excitement of the Southern Ocean.
A South Atlantic crossing fraught with challenges
The remaining 3,000 nautical miles are laden with potential hazards. Previous experiences have shown that this route can be treacherous, exemplified by an incident in the first edition that resulted in an unplanned stop in Argentina. Competitors must navigate various dangers, hoping to secure a passage into the southeast trade winds in the race’s final stages.
SIRIUS EVENEMENTS
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