On Saturday 22nd November at 1:00 PM local time (9:00 AM UTC), competitors in the third leg of the second edition of the GLOBE40 departed from Saint Paul Bay on Reunion Island, heading towards Sydney, Australia. The island received the crews with an exceptionally warm welcome, setting the stage for a challenging leg of over 5,000 nautical miles. This leg features significant obstacles, including the Mascarene High and a return to the Roaring Forties where low-pressure systems are predicted to influence the course heavily.
A first for Réunion Island
Since the start in Cape Verde, competitors have achieved record-breaking feats, including the longest distance covered by the new-generation Class40s at 8,400 nautical miles, and a world record for the distance covered in 24 hours by a Class40, reaching 457.41 nautical miles. The event provided a major opportunity for Réunion Island, as this was the first time the island hosted a leg of a major ocean race. The Titan dock village was bustling with tens of thousands of visitors, especially driven by the presence of a locally comprised crew. The occasion also mobilised various stakeholders in the maritime sector, pushing forward discussions on the blue economy.
A first major leg in the Southern Hemisphere
This leg poses a significant challenge for skippers, with the direct route to Sydney estimated at 5,100 miles, likely extending to 6,000 miles over ground. The skippers will face the choice of navigating north or south after passing a turning mark at Cap Lahoussaye. The fleet set off on the southern route, aiming to catch strong westerly winds while avoiding the wind shadow caused by the island. The course imposes set limits of south 46° in its initial stages and 48° south of Australia. Current forecasts indicate a fast-paced leg, with at least ten days of racing under the influence of active low-pressure systems. The competitors will need to navigate carefully between Reunion Island and the Australian coastline to tackle the notoriously challenging Baas Strait before arriving in Sydney, with expected finish dates around December 11th/12th.
A sporting battle that is not expected to wane
As the competition heats up in this leg, a fierce atmosphere is anticipated among the leading Class40 competitors. Each team is eager to prove their strength; BELGIUM OCEAN RACING – CURIUM (No. 187) aims to justify their previous victory, while CREDIT MUTUEL (No. 202) seeks to bounce back after a close call that landed them in third. In the classic Class40s group, BARCO BRASIL (No. 151) holds a lead but faces solid competition from WILSON AROUND THE WORLD (No. 93) and FREE DOM (No. 139). Each team is geared up and ready for the intense challenges that await.
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