GGR breakaway

Damien Guillou and Pat Lawless have broken clear of the chasing fleet in the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race, as unpredictable conditions in the Atlantic begin to reshape the solo round-the-world contest.

Photography by Golden Globe Race

08 October 2026

The 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race is entering a decisive phase, with Guillou aboard Solarem and Lawless aboard Silvermines Hydro establishing a commanding advantage after escaping the worst of the Doldrums and reaching the southeast trade winds.

One month after the fleet departed Les Sables-d’Olonne, Tropical Storm Gonzalo, frustrating calms, shifting winds and equipment failures have tested the sailors, creating significant separation across the fleet.

Guillou continues to set the pace, recording a 164-nautical-mile run on 4 October and maintaining consistent speeds as he heads south.

SOLAREM, sailed by Damien Guillou, continues to set the pace at the front of the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race. Guillou and Pat Lawless have broken clear of the chasing fleet and are now racing south in the southeast trades. Credit: Don McIntyre / GGR2026

The GGR tracker shows an increasingly stretched fleet in the Atlantic. Damien Guillou and Pat Lawless have broken clear to the south, Ertan Beskardes holds valuable space in third, while the chasing group continues to battle unstable winds farther north. Credit: GGR2026

Pat Lawless aboard SILVERMINES HYDRO remains the closest challenger to race leader Damien Guillou. The two front-runners are beginning to build their own race at the head of the fleet. Credit: JJ / GGR2026 FRANÇAIS Pat Lawless à bord de SILVERMINES HYDRO reste le plus proche poursuivant du leader Damien Guillou. Les deux hommes de tête commencent à mener leur propre course loin devant le reste de la flotte. Crédit : JJ / GGR2026

Guido Cantini aboard HANNAH OF COWES, battling through another difficult patch of the Atlantic. The Italian skipper has also been dealing with problems with his long-range SSB radio while continuing south in the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race. Credit: Guido Cantini / Hannah Racing / GGR2026

Lawless remains his closest challenger, producing daily runs approaching 150 nautical miles but struggling to close the gap.

Both skippers are approaching the region of Trindade, where the transition towards the South Atlantic High could provide another tactical opportunity.

Behind the leaders, Ertan Beskardes aboard Miss Beagle has moved into a strong third position after his decision to remain east of the main fleet paid dividends. While competitors farther north struggled with unstable winds, Beskardes reached the southeast trades and began extending his advantage.

The chasing fleet continues to experience wildly fluctuating conditions, with Etienne Messikommer aboard Bernard, Guido Cantini aboard Hannah of Cowes, Andrea Lodolo aboard Bibi and Daniel Pinsky aboard Exodus among those battling unpredictable winds.

Cantini has also suffered problems with his long-range SSB radio, receiving a 24-hour penalty after using a satellite phone to seek technical assistance. Further radio failure could force him to make a repair stop and continue in Chichester Class.

Pär Nyman aboard LAZY OTTER, continuing south with the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe fleet. After missing the official start because of rudder repairs, the Swedish skipper returned to the race and continues to face the changing winds, tactical challenges and mental demands of this extraordinary solo adventure. Credit: Vilja Nyman / GGR2026

Louis Kerdelhué aboard IE CHARGE during an earlier GGR WINDOW LIVE transmission. Race Control raised a Code Orange concern on 5 October after unusually slow tracker movement and missed safety reports. At the time of this press release, Louis has now sent a reassuring YB message stating RAS rien à signaler, meaning nothing to report / all OK although voice contact by satellite phone has still not been successfully established. Credit: GGR2026

Guy deBoer completes the final requirements before returning to sea aboard SPIRIT, including sealing his smartphone in accordance with GGR rules. After repairs and inspections in Lanzarote, his adventure continues in Chichester Class. Credit: Eli Van den Broek

The Golden Age of sailing continues with the fourth edition of the original Sunday Times Golden Globe Race.

Elsewhere, Gunnar Christensen aboard Pompoen spent approximately 90 minutes in the water removing barnacles from his hull, while Lawless was forced to repair failed windvane steering lines, costing him valuable time.

Race Control also raised a Code Orange concern on 5 October after Louis Kerdelhué aboard Ie Charge made unusually slow progress and missed two daily safety reports.

Kerdelhué subsequently transmitted a reassuring message indicating all was well, although voice contact had not been established at the time of the race update.

Meanwhile, Guy deBoer has resumed sailing aboard Spirit following structural repairs in Lanzarote. He is continuing in Chichester Class, having relinquished his eligibility for the main Golden Globe Race trophies.

The race’s WINDOW LIVE onboard communication system is also providing followers with an insight into the sailors’ experiences, from Beskardes’ reflections on life at sea to the psychological pressures of prolonged isolation.

With the fleet increasingly divided into three groups, the Atlantic has delivered the first major separation of the 2026 race. However, the Cape of Good Hope, Southern Ocean and Cape Horn remain ahead, with thousands of nautical miles still to sail.

Guillou may have established an early advantage, but changing weather systems, equipment reliability and the physical demands of solo ocean racing could yet transform the standings.

goldengloberace.com

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