A first gathering for the skippers of the Globe40 2025/2026
by Sirius Events 15 Nov 05:15 PST
Globe40 – Mélodie Schaffer and Tom Pierce © Jean-Marie Liot / Globe40
With a group of round-the-world sailors departing for the VENDEE GLOBE last Sunday, it was an ideal time for most of the skippers planning to participate in the 2nd edition of the GLOBE40 to convene for the first time on 12 November.
Nearly thirty skippers and project managers from ten countries connected to the video conference to get to know the event’s organizational team. Skippers joined from various locations worldwide, from Reunion Island to Europe, Canada, and Brazil. The fleet will kick off its own circumnavigation with a prologue in Lorient, France, on 31 August 2025, followed by the official start in Cadiz on 14 September.
On track and eager to commence
Event Manager Manfred Ramspacher initiated the conference by detailing the ongoing progress of the project concerning the competition and finalizing the course. The next registration phase is set for January 2025 as noted in the Notice of Race, with around a dozen confirmed projects forming the current solid foundation for entries. Several other candidates are currently securing partnerships and acquiring boats (nine Class40s have been purchased since May 2023), while others are nearing final decisions.
In recent weeks, several new projects have also been introduced, with some entries expressing interest in the 3rd edition: “The organization team unanimously observes that entry numbers are significantly more encouraging than for the first edition: all announced projects have secured their Class40s, and the level of experience is high with many skippers coming from Class Mini. Additionally, a training phase has been set up in Lorient, with the four current teams expected to expand to six, and numerous Class40s are currently undergoing refits to prepare for next year’s challenges.”
As for the course, the general outlines were disclosed on 27 June 2024, and the organization team is finalizing the contractual elements and technical preparations, including pinpointing locations for future venues, such as Cape Verde last week.
Review of technical results from the first edition
François Angoulvant, Technical Director of the 2022/2023 race, and Brice Le Nel, head of the renowned firm TEEM, provided feedback to the skippers based on their technical analysis of the inaugural edition. The first GLOBE40 event successfully avoided major technical complications, structural issues, and dismastings despite covering 34,000 miles; the only incident reported involved a Japanese competitor whose boat collided with a UFO. Given the considerable experience gained from the last edition regarding race assistance, every aspect was meticulously evaluated, covering structures, keels, rudders, rigs, sails, deck fittings, electronics, computers, and energy. In summary, the findings showed that while technical preparation is essential, and thorough refurbishing at each stopover is vital, the Class40 has proven to be a highly reliable and robust offshore racing yacht that is advanced yet manageable and perfectly suited for a round-the-world endeavor aligned with the GLOBE40 course.
A round-the-world racecourse with distinct identity
Miranda Merron, appointed Race Director for the 2nd edition, spoke with future competitors about the new measures outlined in the updated Notice of Race, which remains consistent with the previous version but includes some alterations. Notably, the number of course legs will decrease from eight to six, becoming progressively more challenging as approximately 3,000 miles are covered in the prologue and leg one before the first long leg to Reunion Island. Furthermore, the race will begin two months later this season, and the prologue will contribute to the overall ranking with a coefficient of 0.5. Additionally, new equipment will be mandatory, including onboard heating, and each crew’s qualifications will be evaluated individually, possibly requiring additional miles based on their chosen leg.
Estelle Greck, a recognizable figure on the traditional Figaro and Class40 circuits, participated in the discussion to share her experiences from the GLOBE40, having raced in two legs in 2022, including the passage around Cape Horn, which she won alongside Japanese competitor Masa Suzuki. She expressed her amazement at navigating unfamiliar seas for many skippers from traditional circuits and around Cape Horn, fulfilling a childhood dream. She also emphasized that, with substantial preparation for the race, the GLOBE40 course is not an insurmountable challenge. Indeed, regarding difficulty, she likened it to an upwind beat across the North Atlantic in November.
Christian Dumard, the event’s meteorologist and a veteran of many major offshore races, then presented the key weather features for the GLOBE40 course. It’s important to note that this differs from the VENDEE GLOBE course, which involves higher latitudes for extended periods: “The entire course, commencing two months later in this edition, takes place during the austral summer, which is obviously more favorable for passing the three capes. While sailors must navigate around the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn, this occurs only briefly, with most of the course in these regions predominantly featuring downwind conditions.”
In conclusion, Robin Mauvais, GLOBE40 project manager, introduced the typical itinerary for each leg, encompassing immigration, customs, and hospitality preparations to welcome competitors and their families, who are integral to the project. These positive interactions are sure to continue, as this marks just the beginning of a journey that will build strong connections among skippers and between skippers and the organizing team. According to Mélodie Schaffer, the inspiring Canadian skipper who played a crucial role in the first edition and has signed up for another epic adventure in the GLOBE40 2025/2026, these connections lead to a profound sense of solidarity, a ‘GLOBE40 spirit’ that will endure forever.
