Ertan Beskardes is in third place and could break clear of the chasing fleet as he approaches the southeast trade winds. Damien Guillou and Pat Lawless continue their fast passage south, while calms test the patience of those behind. Louis Kerdelhué has re-established contact and confirmed that he is well, and Guy deBoer’s mandatory sea trial has been waived as repairs near completion.
THE LEADERS
🇫🇷 Damien Guillou
Damien is making 7.1 knots, continuing to set the pace towards Trindade. Don attributed his performance to a combination of careful preparation, weight management, an efficient underwater hull and high-performance sails. The next major tactical challenge will be negotiating the South Atlantic high, where a poor decision could still change the picture.
🇮🇪 Pat Lawless
Pat is sailing strongly at 6.6 knots, although Damien retains a slight overall speed advantage. Local variations in the trade winds have occasionally helped Pat close the gap, but maintaining that recovery remains difficult. Don praised his performance while noting that differences in boat weight, preparation and sails all contribute to the comparison.
THE CHASING PACK
🇬🇧 Ertan Beskardes
Ertan holds third place, making 4.4 knots, with 119 miles of daily progress. His eastern route has brought him close to the southeast trades, and Don believes he could gain a day to a day and a half on nearby rivals if he crosses before the calms expand. His position further east could also give him a more favourable wind angle once established in the trades.
🇨🇭 Étienne Messikommer
Étienne is moving again at 3.3 knots, with 57 miles of daily progress. Don suggested that the loop in his track was caused by current carrying him backwards while becalmed, rather than a deliberate course change. His latest broadcasts showed him making the most of the enforced pause, reading and eating aboard, and he may still reach the trades ahead of much of the chasing group.
🇮🇹 Guido Cantini
Guido is making 4.2 knots, with 82 miles of daily progress, recovering approximately 25 miles on Étienne over the previous day. He is closing effectively, but the forecast suggests he could remain caught in the light-wind band after Ertan and possibly Étienne escape.
🇮🇹 Andrea Lodolo
Andrea has slowed to 1.3 knots, caught in the middle of the calm zone. His earlier move west kept him progressing for a time, but he now faces another wait for sufficient breeze to continue south.
🇮🇱 Daniel Pinsky
Daniel is moving at 2.8 knots as the western group struggles through patchy wind. His position further west could mean a tighter, less comfortable sailing angle when he eventually reaches the southeast trades, compared with Ertan’s approach from the east.
THROUGH THE FLEET
🇬🇧 Henry Wootton
Henry is making 2.4 knots, a modest improvement on his earlier speed, after watching nearby boats move away while he remained stalled. Don highlighted the frustration of working hard for little reward and suggested that an adverse current of around half a knot may also have contributed to his slow progress.
🇳🇴 Mara
Mara is sailing at 4.7 knots, benefiting from more breeze behind the slower boats in the western group. That gives her an opportunity to recover ground as Andrea, Henry and Daniel struggle to maintain momentum.
🇫🇷 Louis Kerdelhué
Louis has re-established contact and confirmed that he is well, resolving the concern raised in the previous update. Don said the procedure involving Gunnar had worked, and Louis subsequently called race management. He is making 3.3 knots, with 72 miles of daily progress, and plans to return to Window Live on Saturday 3 October after taking time away from broadcasting.
🇨🇦 Isa Rosli
Isa recorded 112 miles of daily progress, although his speed has eased to 3.9 knots as the wind weakens again. Don praised his recovery following the storm. The forecast suggests he may retain some breeze while other boats in the northeastern group face more persistent calms.
🇬🇧 Gunnar Christensen
Gunnar is making 4.6 knots, with 116 miles of daily progress, and appeared cheerful and talkative during his morning broadcast. He has also succeeded in finding the BBC on his radio. However, lighter winds ahead threaten to interrupt his recent run of productive days.
🇺🇸 Matt Woodside
Matt is sailing at 4.3 knots, with 64 miles of daily progress, and continues to sound content aboard the boat he has called home for around a year. His immediate outlook is less encouraging, with the forecast placing a substantial calm area directly ahead.
🇸🇪 Pär Nyman
Pär is making 4 knots, having sailed at around 6 knots earlier in the morning, and has completed his passage around the Cape Verde island he approached the previous day. He confirmed that he needed a break from broadcasting but intends to return to Window Live. Don emphasised that he has recovered significant ground and is back in contention with the rear of the fleet.
IN PORT
🇺🇸 Guy deBoer
Most repairs aboard SPIRIT are nearly complete, with interior furniture and fittings still to be rebuilt before the boat is packed and prepared. Race management has waived the mandatory 100-mile sea trial, but the rig inspection and survey approval remain required. Don does not expect Guy to leave before Monday 5 October, with no confirmed departure time.
WEATHER OUTLOOK
Ertan’s next 24 hours could be decisive. If he maintains his progress, he may cross into the southeast trades just before the calm band expands behind him. Étienne could follow, while Guido and the western boats may take longer to escape.
Further north, Louis, Gunnar and Matt face another period of weak winds, although Isa may find a route with more breeze. Pär should retain some wind as he continues south. These differences could reshuffle the fleet again before everyone reaches more consistent conditions.
For Damien and Pat, the trade winds remain productive but are not completely uniform. Don pointed to the changing shape and position of the South Atlantic high as a factor influencing both wind direction and strength along their routes.
Daily Report Archive Skipper tweets from 02/10/2026
