The fleet is spreading out south of Lanzarote, with Damien and Pat holding their advantage while patchy winds shuffle the chasing pack. More skippers have completed their film drop, but Guy faces structural repairs and Selim has announced plans to stop after losing his HF radio.
THE LEADERS
🇫🇷 Damien Guillou – SOLAREM
Damien remains in front after covering 133 nautical miles in 24 hours, making 6.7 knots at the update. His move towards the African coast prompted a check from race control, but he confirmed everything was fine: he was simply looking for breeze.
🇮🇪 Pat Lawless – SILVERMINES HYDRO
Pat continues in second place, making 5.7 knots after a 113-mile day. Both leaders look well placed to retain useful breeze while lighter conditions threaten to slow the boats behind.
THE CHASING PACK
🇮🇹 Andrea Lodolo – BIBI
Andrea has taken the eastern route through the islands, recording 104 miles in 24 hours and making 4.7 knots. The battle behind the leaders remains close, with the boats’ different routes making the displayed rankings change frequently.
🇮🇹 Guido Cantini – HANNAH OF COWES
Guido has been finding useful breeze, covering 142 miles in 24 hours and making 4.2 knots. That stronger run is helping him move through the chasing group as nearby rivals struggle in lighter patches.
🇮🇱 Daniel Pinsky – EXODUS
Daniel briefly appeared in third place on the tracker, although there is little separating several boats once their different positions are taken into account. He recorded 126 miles in 24 hours, gaining around six miles on Etienne over that period.
🇨🇭 Etienne Messikommer – BERNARD
Etienne’s 120-mile day tells only part of the story: by the live update, he was virtually becalmed, with the GGR Window showing his sails struggling in the light air. Finding the next patch of breeze is the immediate priority.
🇬🇧 Ertan Beskardes – MISS BEAGLE
Ertan is taking a steadier approach on the eastern side of the islands, making 4 knots after a 105-mile day. He has slipped back as others find stronger wind, but continues south at his own pace.
THROUGH THE LANZAROTE FILM DROP
🇫🇷 Louis Kerdelhué – IE CHARGE
Louis’s approach produced a scare when a passing yacht reported flapping sails and nobody visible on deck while he was dealing with a badly wrapped spinnaker. Contact was established, he was confirmed safe aboard, and he subsequently completed his film drop before continuing.
🇬🇧 Henry Wootton – PRIVATEER
Henry was pleased to reach the film drop, although surprised by his position in the fleet. He has since taken the eastern route and slowed to 1.6 knots, following a 123-mile day, with plenty of the race still ahead to recover ground.
🇳🇴 Helga Marie (Mara) Løvenskiold Kveseth – SHOWGIRL
Mara came through last night looking fit, cheerful and eager to continue, with her toy chicken joining the interview. Her last displayed report showed 5.8 knots and a 138-mile day, although that position was four hours older than the main fleet update.
🇨🇦 Isa Rosli – OLLEANNA
Isa completed his film drop this morning after correcting his approach towards Marina Rubicón. He is now back underway, making approximately 3.9 knots as the breeze around Lanzarote begins to soften.
STILL APPROACHING LANZAROTE
🇬🇧 Gunnar Christensen – POMPOEN
Gunnar is next expected at the film drop, with roughly 34–40 miles remaining at the update. Making 5.7 knots after a 127-mile day, he could arrive during the afternoon if the breeze holds.
🇺🇸 Matt Woodside – TIPI HAERE
Matt is moving well at 6.2 knots after a 145-mile day, around 30 miles behind Gunnar. An evening arrival looks possible, although weakening wind could push his passage through the gate further into the night.
🇸🇪 Pär Nyman – LAZY OTTER
Pär has approximately 300 miles to go, making 5.4 knots after a 118-mile day. The concern is the forecast rather than his current speed: an expanding area of light wind could make the final approach considerably slower.
REPAIRS AND CHICHESTER CLASS
🇺🇸 Guy deBoer – SPIRIT
Guy remains in Marina Rubicón after stopping over concerns about the deck structure around a chainplate, moving him into Chichester Class. Repairs must be followed by an independent survey of the affected structure, chainplates and rig before he can be cleared to continue.
🇹🇷 Selim Yalçın – HELP DISABLED CHILDREN
Selim has altered course after reporting that his HF radio is not working, deciding he does not want to continue without it. He indicated a repair stop, apparently in Cádiz, with the destination awaiting written confirmation; his intention is to repair the equipment and continue in Chichester Class.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The next 48 hours could widen the gaps. Damien and Pat are forecast to keep useful wind, while the fleet around the Canaries faces calms, island wind shadows and locally accelerated breeze between the islands.
Gunnar and Matt should reach Lanzarote before the lightest conditions settle in, but Pär risks being caught behind the fading wind. Further south, attention will gradually turn towards Cape Verde and choosing a route through the developing Doldrums.
Daily Report Archive Skipper tweets from 19/09/2026
