Globe40 Leg 3 Finish: Credit Mutuel returns to victory in Sydney Bay
by Sirius Events 12 Dec 00:15 PST
12 December 2025
Credit Mutuel returns to victory in Sydney Bay - Globe40 Leg 3 © Sirius Events
By crossing the finish line of the 3rd leg of the GLOBE40 as winners today at 03:53:43 UTC, Ian Lipinski and Amélie Grassi have added a third victory to their record in this 2nd edition, following the prologue and the 1st leg.
They also erased the bitterness of finishing in 3rd place in Reunion after a legendary 8,500-mile second leg from Cape Verde, during which they constantly traded the lead with the Belgian crew. The gap at the finish in Sydney with their main rival of the last three months, BELGIUM OCEAN RACING - CURIUM, should not lead one to believe in an easy victory. Aside from their recent 24-hour lead, Ian and Amélie fought hard for first place in a leg that was once again extremely difficult and demanding on both body and equipment. They covered 5,823 nautical miles from the start of the race from Reunion Island at an average speed of 12.3 knots, setting a new record: the highest average speed ever recorded in a Class40 offshore race. Given the coefficient of 2 for this leg, the French crew should take second place overall, with the Belgian crew holding the lead barring any unforeseen circumstances.
A very challenging leg
Departing on Saturday, November 22nd from Saint Paul Bay in Reunion Island, the eight competitors in the GLOBE40 race initially encountered light conditions during the first week of the race, under the influence of the Mascarene High, which they had already encountered on the outward leg from South Africa. A gentle warm-up after an epic second leg, with 30 days at sea for the leaders and up to 40 days for the slower boats; and a stopover in Reunion Island reduced to about ten days for several crews among the classic Class40s, known as "sharps" boats.
Heading due south in search of westerly depressions, the competitors encountered them as early as the second weekend, as they descended into the lower latitudes: 30 degrees, then 35 degrees, then 40 degrees south, the infamous "Roaring Forties," the race having set a safety limit at 46 degrees south. A period of strong winds, rough seas, and increasing cold then began, which certainly saw speeds and averages increase, with days exceeding 400 nautical miles for the leaders, but also increasingly difficult living conditions on board.
Unfortunately, on December 30th, the first serious maritime incident of the race occurred when a crucial part of the rigging broke for the German crew of NEXT GENERATION BOATING AROUND THE WORLD, leading them to announce their withdrawal from the leg and their return to Reunion Island the following day. This young and talented crew, who had finished second in the second leg, are nevertheless determined to resume the race at a later stage. Following this incident, two very intense weeks unfolded for the crews in the famous Southern Ocean; first, by reaching and skirting the southern limit of the course, then crossing the Great Australian Bight before arriving at Bass Strait.
During these two weeks, videos of impressive speeds and record-breaking feats (30.8 knots for Curium) proliferated, resulting in a significant surge in viewership for the race and immersing spectators on land in the rich mythology of the Southern Ocean. Tough, trying, and difficult times for the crews living in constant chaos on board, but also unforgettable, defining, and adrenaline-fueled moments in the life of an offshore racer. Beyond the hardships, many also felt the joy and privilege of experiencing them.
The fastest ocean race ever recorded in Class40
Ian Lipinski and Amélie Grassi broke Ambrogio Beccaria's record in the 2013 Transat Jacques Vabre with an average speed of 12.11 knots. This new record of an average speed of 12.30 knots demonstrates both the commitment required to secure a leg victory in the GLOBE40 and the reaffirmed ability of the new generation Class40s (with rounded or "escow" bows) to tackle these long stretches in the Southern Ocean, just like their cousins in the IMOCA class (60-foot sailboats of the Vendée Globe) or the Ocean Race. CREDIT MUTUEL and the BELGIUM OCEAN RACING - CURIUM team engaged in a fierce duel, with 28 lead changes recorded during this leg.
It was only in the very last part of the course, at the end of the ascent of Great Australia Bay and during the passage through the Bass Strait, that the French team was able to consolidate a real lead, allowing them to manage the finish with the greatest possible composure. The overall standings are wide open, but this victory is significant. The overall leader remains unchanged, the Belgian team stays. The next leg to Valparaiso, a coefficient 3 race, will likely be another decisive factor in determining the team's chances of final victory. Meanwhile, Sydney will host the Belgian team tomorrow, and early next week the Class40 Classic "sharp" boats will be engaged in an equally intense battle in the Great Australian Bight, with FREE DOM leading this group.
Find out more at www.globe40.com