Damien Guillou and Pat Lawless are approaching the equator with an advantage of roughly 600 miles over the main fleet. Behind them, a developing calm zone threatens the eastern boats, while those further west could find a passage through. Pär Nyman continues closing the gap, and delayed tracker positions for Mara and Matt Woodside mean their displayed progress needs to be treated with caution.
THE LEADERS
🇫🇷 Damien Guillou
Damien is sailing at 6.4 knots, with 141 miles of daily progress, as he approaches the equator. Don described his boat as balanced and well trimmed, with no indication that he is pushing it excessively. Established southeast trades should allow him to keep building his lead over the chasing fleet.
🇮🇪 Pat Lawless
Pat is making 6.2 knots, maintaining strong progress in the same trade-wind flow. The leading pair could continue extending their advantage for another four or five days while their pursuers work through the unsettled conditions further north.
THE CHASING PACK
🇨🇭 Étienne Messikommer
Étienne remains third, making 4.8 knots, with 92 miles of daily progress. During his latest call, he described his frustration with the Tradewind 35’s light-air performance, although he loves the boat and comes into his own once the wind exceeds 12 knots. A developing calm zone could make his next few days challenging.
🇬🇧 Ertan Beskardes
Ertan is sailing at 2.7 knots, with 59 miles of daily progress, but his eastern position leaves him exposed to an expanding area of calms. Don believes he needs to move west quickly, although the forecast suggests he may struggle to escape before the wind fades.
🇮🇹 Guido Cantini
Guido is making 3.5 knots, with 76 miles of daily progress, having avoided moving too far east. Nevertheless, he and Étienne face a difficult passage towards the southeast trades, with light winds threatening to block their route.
🇮🇹 Andrea Lodolo
Andrea’s decisive move west appears to have been well timed, carrying him across an area where calms are developing. He is making 4.4 knots, with 78 miles of daily progress. During his call, he confirmed that the boat is working well, but expressed disappointment at receiving less weather information than expected despite having a functioning HF radio.
🇮🇱 Daniel Pinsky
Daniel is progressing at 3.3 knots, with 59 miles of daily progress. Henry’s recent track brought the two boats close together, and the western group may benefit from a narrow corridor of breeze while boats further east struggle.
THROUGH THE FLEET
🇬🇧 Henry Wootton
Henry is making 3.9 knots, with 54 miles of daily progress. During yesterday’s call, uncomfortable headwinds had him considering heaving to, but he instead tacked and continued sailing. Don believes his powerful boat could gradually gain ground once conditions become more consistent in the southeast trades.
🇳🇴 Mara
Mara’s displayed position was outdated, showing her location at 16:00 UTC on 29 September. Don estimated that she could be around 60 miles further along her course, provided she had maintained her heading and speed, but this was not a confirmed position. Race management planned to check the tracker with YB, whose team acknowledged the issue during the broadcast.
🇫🇷 Louis Kerdelhué
Louis has managed only 29 miles of daily progress, with repeated changes of direction reflecting his struggle to find wind. Don noted his recent absence from Window Live, but stressed that this did not establish that he was in difficulty. Stronger breeze arriving from the north could finally help him accelerate.
🇨🇦 Isa Rosli
Isa is moving more steadily at 4.7 knots, with 93 miles of daily progress. His straighter track reflects better breeze on his side of the fleet, with the prospect of further improvement as the wind develops.
🇬🇧 Gunnar Christensen
Gunnar is making 4.4 knots, with 96 miles of daily progress, on a more direct southwesterly course. After several frustrating days, this is a welcome return to useful progress, and the forecast could help him close on boats ahead that remain trapped in lighter winds.
🇺🇸 Matt Woodside
Matt sounded relaxed and positive during yesterday’s call, reporting that all was well aboard. The tracker displayed 3.8 knots and 62 miles of daily progress, but Don later acknowledged that these figures accompanied an older 02:00 position, meaning Matt should already have been further along than shown.
🇸🇪 Pär Nyman
Pär is outperforming the previous light-wind forecast, sailing at 5.2 knots and continuing to reduce the gap. Don placed him approximately 150–160 miles behind Matt, although Matt’s delayed position complicates that comparison. With Cape Verde ahead, Don suggested Pär might be aiming for a visual landfall to check his navigation, but his intentions were unconfirmed.
WEATHER OUTLOOK
The latest forecast favours a possible recovery from the west and rear of the fleet. A substantial calm zone is developing ahead of the eastern boats, potentially slowing Ertan, Étienne and Guido before they can reach the southeast trades.
Further west, there may be just enough breeze to keep moving before stronger northerly winds arrive. Louis, Gunnar, Matt and Pär could benefit, allowing the fleet behind the leaders to compress. However, the forecast had already changed since the previous evening, and the available routes remain uncertain.
For Damien and Pat, the immediate outlook is more straightforward: sustained trade-wind sailing towards the equator. Beyond that, the changing position of the South Atlantic high will become increasingly important. Once boats share more consistent conditions, gains will depend more on boat speed and fewer interruptions.
Daily Report Archive Skipper tweets from 30/09/2026
