Globe40 Leg 6 Update: Belgium Team Lead at the Equator

Globe40 Leg 6 - Belgium Ocean Racing © Jean-Marie Liot / Globe40

Today, April 1, at 9:23:29 PM UTC, the Class40 BELGIUM OCEAN RACING became the first Class40 to cross the equator, marking the return of the GLOBE40 to the Northern Hemisphere after leaving it last September during the Cape Verde/Reunion leg. After 3 days, 4 hours, and 29 minutes of racing, it covered 542 nautical miles at an average speed of 7.2 knots.

After departing from Recife, Brazil, last Sunday, March 29, at 2:00 PM local time, the competitors quickly encountered the infamous Doldrums 24 hours later. During the run down to South Africa in September, this episode was long and arduous for most of the crews, even though crossing this unique environment also provided many stunning images. Before the start from Recife, weather charts depicted a very extensive doldrums stretching from east to west across the Atlantic, from the African coast to the Brazilian coast, suggesting a difficult passage. In reality, in just 48 hours and with few stops, the GLOBE40 fleet was able to overcome this obstacle on its return journey to Lorient.

BELGIUM OCEAN RACING - CURIUM took the lead in the race quickly after the start from Recife, benefiting, according to its own account, from the use of a large, lightweight 200 m² spinnaker, which had not been used until then. Indeed, as the regulations only allow eight sails on board, crews must make choices before each departure based on the nature of the leg and the weather forecast. To counter this speed advantage, acknowledged by its competitor CREDIT MUTUEL, the latter made a detour to the west, hoping to find a more open passage closer to the Brazilian coast.

CREDIT MUTUEL will cross the equator 57 minutes later at 22:26:38 h, but in a more distant position, 45 miles to the west. NEXT GENERATION, officially in 5th position in the 22.00 rankings, is also further west. Among the traditional boats, the battle between the pairs is raging between WILSON, 2nd in the last rankings and still very competitive, and the overall leader, BARCO BRASIL. WHISKEY JACK and FREE DOM are battling it out just a few cables away. And with JANGADA RACING, the fleet is separated by barely 50 miles.

Everyone on board quickly settled back into their routines after the Recife leg. The heat is still intense, making life on board difficult during the day. They are all heading for the northeast trade winds, which should guarantee them a long, steady leg before making strategic decisions about approaching the Azores archipelago and returning to Europe.

To follow the race visit www.globe40.com/cartographie.