McIntyre Mini Globe Leg 2 underway! 7200 miles solo to Vuda Marina Fiji
by McIntyre Mini Globe Race 28 Mar 2025 07:56 PDT
15 proud, happy and HOT builder sailors about to set off from Panama on a grand solo adventure in the boats that make them all feel very proud every time they look at them!! An amazing combination that is even more than just a solo circumnavigation.. © Don McIntyre / MGR2025
In an extraordinary feat of maritime logistics the McIntyre Mini Globe Race fleet has completed an unprecedented overland Transfer of 15 ALMA Globe 580 yachts from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
This sets the stage for the most demanding leg of their around-the-world adventure. On Tuesday 25th March they set off on leg 2, a 7,200-Mile Pacific Challenge to Vuda Marina Fiji, the longest of five legs in this extraordinary 26,000 mile solo odyssey around the world sailing plywood home built 19ft-5.8mtr minis.
Historic overland achievement
Following a demanding and at times dramatic 1,200-nautical-mile opening leg 1 from Antigua to Panama, competitors and organisers faced their first major logistic challenge: transport overland from Atlantic to Pacific. This marked the first time ever a racing fleet has attempted such an overland maneuver during a circumnavigation event. The 580's were simply too slow to use the canal and not able to consider a Euro 55,000 maritime tow fee.
The complex operation, coordinated between Shelter Bay Marina, Carefree Boat Club transport services, and local authorities, required careful planning and ten days of intense co-ordination from the various stake holders. The 100km road transit would take three hours in a convoy of two boats at a time, on specially modified trailers and in complex peak traffic situations. Stopped three times by Police in Panama city, only their friendly and helpful attitude kept things moving for this unusual Panama transit. It could easily have become a paperwork nightmare. Mechanical delays, a flat tire in the wrong place at the wrong time and then a national strike that closed highway access, ultimately caused a two day delay in the start date to Tuesday 25th March 2025.
Pacific Odyssey begins
The start gun fired in 33 degree temperatures and 5 to 10 kt winds beside the approach channel to the Panama Canal. Constant shipping movements meant electric engines were allowed to be used under the Sailing Instructions. The "Flamenco Signal" port control advised a window between ships to allow a quick transit across the busy canal and freedom to the Pacific. Later that night Dan Turk (#20 LITTLE BEA / CA) found himself in light winds and strong currents being pushed toward rocks and requested assistance from Christian Sauer (#103 Argo / DE) who returned 1.5miles to tow him to safety. Dan's outboard battery died from 70% to zero unexpectedly over just two minutes? Shortly afterwards, the fleet entered a favorable 2-3kt current for about 180 miles, a great way to break clear of the land in light winds.
Now on their way across the Pacific, competitors face a monumental 7,200-nautical-mile epic Leg 2 race to Fiji, featuring:
- A 4,700-mile passage to the Marquesas Islands (for 8-day pitstop) across the equator with strong currents, and light winds before finally reaching the south east trades.
- A 500-mile sprint to Papeete, Tahiti (7-day pitstop) where finding a marina berth may be challenging in peak cruising season.
- A 1,500-mile crossing to Pangai, Tonga (8-day pitstop) and a chance to cruise the beautiful Ha' Apai group and welcome early whales.
- Then the final 500-mile push to Vuda Marina, Fiji (arriving late June) for a three week break before the start of leg three to Cape Town, South Africa!
Technical challenges and crew resilience
Several sailors overcame significant obstacles during the busy Panama preparations:
- Keri Harris (#47 ORIGAMI / UK) recovered from a severe knockdown that flooded his vessel with 600 liters of water, destroyed two solar panels, and damaged critical electronics.
- Multiple skippers completed last-minute celestial navigation certifications, a race requirement under the Notice of Race rules but one entrant has retired.
- Rigging on two masts was damaged while stepping and unstepping (bent rigging screws - replacements flown in from France) and Dan Turner (#05 IMMORTAL GAME / AU) could not reinstall his headsail reefing gear so is sailing with hanked JIB until FIJI.
- Pilar Pasanau (#98 PETER PUNK / ESP) installed a new hydrovane self-steering system and received a new asymmetric spinnaker after struggling in Leg 1 with health issues and her South Atlantic windvane. Now she is ready to RACE!
- A strong MGR family bond between entrants saw competitors assisting each other with mast re-stepping and electrical repairs and so many other things.
Race Director's perspective
"The Panama transfer was a logistical triumph that tested everyone's nerves and capabilities. Now the real test begins - crossing the largest ocean on Earth in the smallest yachts, with no support. This is where the Mini Globe Race truly earns its reputation as one of sailing's unique ultimate challenges available to any sailor. Small Boats HUGE adventure that surprises so many when they discover this story! Yes they are only little boats, sailing solo around the world!! They can and they will." Don McIntyre, Race Director and ALMA Globe 580 founder.
Current race status
As of 2000hrs UTC on 27th the fleet is approx 300 miles South West of Panama City headed down to the doldrums around the Galapagos Islands and across the equator. The prospect of struggling in unsettled, hot and light winds mixed with squally weather for the next 10-12 days, trying to make for the South East trades is daunting. The Trades may prove elusive as they are forecast to dip further south and who knows how long it could take. But the first to reach them may be a winner! Most skippers are carrying between 160 to 200 liters of water for this leg. Only emergency desalinators are allowed. Two sailors are still in Panama and should leave in the next day or so. Mike Blenkinsop (#99 Delja99/ AU), AKA Popeye, is no longer racing, but will cruise the Pacific to Fiji, then on to Australia. His son John Blenkinsop (#100 DELJA 100 / AU) has a "Green card" and is racing, but plans to sail in support with his father for now.
Next major milestone and Starlink!
The fleet expects to reach the Marquesas Islands in approximately 45-55 days, facing variable Pacific conditions including: Light winds and strong currents in the equatorial zone. It could take much longer. There are critical routing decisions near the Galapagos Islands. With the cost of Starlink Mini's only US$200 in Panama, all but three entrants now have the system installed onboard. This not only means spectacular social media posts from the fleet and even streaming Youtube movies onboard if the solar panels can cope, (draws only 24-36watts at 12V) but also provides for accurate weather forecasting, which will be very important for this leg! What on earth would John Guzzwell in TREKKA, 70 years ago think about this situation!
The McIntyre Mini Globe Race is a world first event and has never been attempted by Mini Ocean racers. The course around the world celebrates the 75th Anniversary and follows in the footsteps of John Guzzwell, who in 1955 set off in his home built 20ft timber yacht TREKKA to become the first ever "Mini Yacht" to sail around the world.