Damien Guillou continues to extend his lead, while Étienne Messikommer’s strong pace has lifted him into third on the leaderboard. Pär Nyman has completed his Lanzarote film drop and is heading south again, Selim Yalçın has reached Cádiz, and Guy deBoer awaits clarity on repairs. Meanwhile, a developing low-pressure system could complicate progress for the boats towards the back of the fleet.
THE LEADERS
🇫🇷 Damien Guillou – SOLAREM
Damien recorded 155 nautical miles in 24 hours, adding another seven miles to his advantage over Pat. Still making 7.7 knots despite lighter winds around him, he is approaching the influence of the Doldrums, where squalls and calms could interrupt his progress.
🇮🇪 Pat Lawless – SILVERMINES HYDRO
Pat continues south at 7 knots, with a solid 148-mile day keeping him firmly in the chase. He remains consistent, although Damien is gradually stretching the gap.
🇨🇭 Étienne Messikommer – BERNARD
Étienne is making excellent use of the stronger breeze, covering 153 miles and appearing in third place on the leaderboard, although Andrea’s delayed tracker position complicates the comparison. He has already reported lightning and thunderstorms, but no rain.
THE CHASING PACK
🇮🇹 Andrea Lodolo – BIBI
Andrea’s displayed position was still 12 hours out of date, leaving him much farther behind on screen than his likely position at sea. At an estimated six knots, he could be roughly 72 miles ahead of that marker, so a fresh transmission is needed to clarify his place in the chasing pack.
🇬🇧 Ertan Beskardes – MISS BEAGLE
Ertan is maintaining steady progress, recording 132 miles in 24 hours and sailing at 6.7 knots. The established breeze is keeping him moving well as the fleet heads towards Cape Verde.
🇮🇹 Guido Cantini – HANNAH OF COWES
Guido recorded 121 miles over the previous 24 hours. He remains among the chasing boats, with the next stretch of consistent wind offering an opportunity to improve his daily run.
🇮🇱 Daniel Pinsky – EXODUS
Daniel was travelling at 7.1 knots, although his 24-hour total stood at 126 miles. He reported feeling unwell, possibly after eating something that disagreed with him, adding discomfort to the demands of keeping EXODUS moving.
🇫🇷 Louis Kerdelhué – IE CHARGE
Louis has taken a route close to the African coast, making 5.9 knots after a 120-mile day. With the breeze now established around him, he should be able to maintain more consistent progress south.
THE MIDDLE GROUP
🇬🇧 Henry Wootton – PRIVATEER
Henry is gaining ground after a strong 151-mile day, sailing at 6.8 knots and threatening to pass Isa. His move across towards Isa’s side of the fleet has brought the pair into a close contest.
🇨🇦 Isa Rosli – OLLEANNA
Isa continues to perform well, covering 144 miles and maintaining around 6 knots. He has gained on Mara over the past day, although Henry’s faster pace is putting him under pressure.
🇳🇴 Mara – SHOWGIRL
Mara recorded 127 miles and was making 6.1 knots, with Isa and Henry gaining on her. She has indicated a plan to pass west of Cape Verde, a choice whose outcome will depend on the developing weather and the position of the Doldrums.
AT THE BACK OF THE FLEET
🇬🇧 Gunnar Christensen – POMPOEN
Gunnar is making steady progress at 5.9 knots, with 126 miles covered in 24 hours. The immediate forecast offers more useful sailing conditions before the developing low could begin influencing the boats farther north.
🇺🇸 Matt Woodside – TIPI HAERE
Matt managed a useful 140-mile day and was sailing at 5.7 knots, approximately 300 miles ahead of Pär. His position towards the rear makes him one of the skippers to watch as the low-pressure system develops.
🇸🇪 Pär Nyman – LAZY OTTER
Pär has completed his Lanzarote film drop, where his daughter and Guy deBoer met him, and is heading south again at around 7 knots. With roughly 20 knots of breeze, he is finally making good speed, sitting approximately two days’ sailing behind Matt at the pace discussed in the update.
STOPS AND REPAIRS
🇺🇸 Guy deBoer – SPIRIT
Guy remains in Lanzarote awaiting the surveyor’s report and approval of the repair plan, with additional concerns potentially complicating the work. His green-card clearance has been withdrawn pending the required checks, and Don suggested that a return could be at least a week away, although the timetable remains uncertain.
🇹🇷 Selim Yalçın – HELP DISABLED CHILDREN
Selim has reached Cádiz following his diversion to resolve his radio problems. His next steps remain unconfirmed, with a substantial gap to the fleet should he decide to continue.
WEATHER OUTLOOK
Most of the fleet should enjoy another 24 hours of productive sailing, but a developing low near Cape Verde could change conditions later in the week. The forecast discussed in the update suggested that most boats would pass south of the system, while Matt and other boats towards the rear could be affected; Pär may remain far enough behind for it to pass ahead of him.
By 26 September, the forecast showed the potential for winds around 35 knots, gusts of 50 knots or more, and seas approaching five metres within the system. These remained uncertain possibilities several days ahead, and no weather warnings had been issued at the time of the update. Patches of light wind could also slow progress before the stronger weather arrives.
Daily Report Archive Skipper tweets from 22/09/2026
