Summary
A developing high-pressure system is splitting the Golden Globe Race fleet into distinct groups, with Damien Guillou and Pat Lawless escaping south while much of the fleet struggles in light winds across the Bay of Biscay. After the demanding conditions of the opening days, the challenge has shifted to keeping boats moving and avoiding the expanding windless areas.
Damien leads after recording 162 nautical miles of progress over the previous 24 hours, with Pat approximately 38 miles behind after a strong 134-mile day. Rounding Cape Finisterre, Damien has positioned himself to remain in the stronger breeze as he heads south. His close approach to the coast may also have helped him establish a visual position before continuing around the headland in darkness.
Pat remains well placed to escape with the leader, although slightly lighter winds along his route could allow Damien to extend his advantage. Ertan Beskardes holds third after a 100-mile day, but the chasing boats face a difficult window in which to reach the breeze before it slips away.
In the middle group, Andrea Lodolo has made a pronounced move south to stay with the wind, recording 104 nautical miles over the day. Etienne Messikommer achieved 98 miles, while Daniel Pinsky made 94 and Louis Kerdelhué 82. Etienne and Guido Cantini were heard discussing weather and tactics over the radio, choosing a cautious approach to navigating near Cape Finisterre at night. Etienne’s latest position report was missing during the broadcast, leaving his displayed position temporarily behind his actual progress.
Further back, conditions are frustrating. Henry Wootton was making less than one knot after just 24 nautical miles of progress in 24 hours. Helga Marie, Gunnar Christensen and Matt Woodside were also moving at around one knot, while Isa Rosli was almost stationary. Guy deBoer sits in a windless pocket within the high. The seas are easing, with waves around 1.5 metres in his area, although residual swell can still leave boats rolling with their sails slatting.
Pär Nyman is underway again following his delayed departure from Les Sables d’Olonne. He remains roughly 100 miles behind Selim, but with the rear group also struggling for wind, there may be an opportunity to reduce that gap.
The next 24 hours could significantly stretch the fleet. Damien and Pat are expected to continue south while the middle group waits until Friday morning or midday for more useful breeze, with the rear boats picking it up later. Beyond that, lighter winds ahead of the leaders could give the chasing fleet an opportunity to recover some ground. The first arrivals at Lanzarote’s Marina Rubicón are provisionally expected on 15–16 September, depending on how the weather develops.
THE LEADERS
Damien Guillou – SOLAREM
Damien is racing hard and showing exactly why he was one of the favourites. He recorded an impressive 162 nautical miles in 24 hours and was moving at approximately 6.5 knots. His close approach to the coast allowed him to confirm his position visually before continuing around Cape Finisterre using dead reckoning. He is now holding the strongest wind and extending his lead.
Pat Lawless – SILVERMINES HYDRO
Pat remains firmly in second place after covering approximately 134 nautical miles in 24 hours. He was about 38–40 miles behind Damien, but the forecast suggests Damien may receive slightly stronger wind and extend that advantage.
THE CHASING GROUP
Etienne Messikommer – BERNARD
Etienne continues to race hard and had covered approximately 98 nautical miles. His 08:00 UTC position was missing, so he was likely farther ahead than shown on the tracker. He and Guido sailed close together during the night, discussing weather and tactics by radio.
Guido Cantini – HANNAH OF COWES
Guido was making approximately 2.2 knots and was close to Etienne’s last reported position. Both skippers chose a cautious route around Cape Finisterre during the night while still trying to maintain good boat speed.
Ertan Beskardes – MISS BEAGLE
Ertan recorded approximately 100 nautical miles and was moving at around 4.4 knots. His boat is fast and well equipped with serious racing sails, but Ertan continues to sail the race in his own way—and keeps everyone entertained during his WINDOW LIVE appearances!
Andrea Lodolo – BIBI
Andrea completed approximately 104 nautical miles and made a decisive move south to remain in the breeze and avoid becoming trapped farther north.
Daniel Pinsky – EXODUS
Daniel continues to sail well and stay connected with the chasing group. He recorded approximately 94 nautical miles and was moving at around 2.4 knots.
Louis Kerdelhué – IE CHARGE
Louis covered approximately 82 nautical miles and was moving at around 2.5 knots. He has not reported any further major difficulty with his windvane self-steering following his temporary repair, so he appears to be managing the situation.
TRAPPED IN THE LIGHT WINDS
Guy deBoer – SPIRIT
Guy is sitting close to the centre of the high-pressure system, where there is almost no wind. He recorded approximately 57 nautical miles and was moving at around 1 knot.
Isa Rosli – OLLEANNA
After looking very competitive earlier, Isa was almost stopped at only 0.1 knot. He had nevertheless covered approximately 55 nautical miles during the previous 24 hours.
Matt Woodside – TIPI HAERE
Matt was moving at approximately 1 knot after completing around 55 nautical miles. Don says Matt is always happy—but these conditions will test everyone’s patience!
Helga Marie (Mara) Løvenskiold Kveseth – SHOWGIRL
Mara recorded around 35 nautical miles and was moving at approximately 1.1 knots. With almost no wind, the boat had very little steerage and was being moved around by the remaining sea state.
Henry Wootton – PRIVATEER
One of the pre-race favourites, Henry had a deeply frustrating 24 hours. PRIVATEER recorded only approximately 24 nautical miles and was moving at around 0.9 knot. He remains very much in the race, but this is a painful reminder of how unpredictable the GGR can be without modern weather routing.
Gunnar Christensen – POMPOEN
Gunnar was moving at approximately 1.1 knots after recording around 51 nautical miles. Like much of the fleet, he is waiting for the wind to return.
Selim Yalçın – HELP DISABLED CHILDREN
Selim was almost stationary at around 0.3 knot, with approximately 37 nautical miles gained during the previous 24 hours.
Pär Nyman – LAZY OTTER
Pär has finally started his GGR adventure! He had completed approximately 20 nautical miles and was moving at around 0.7 knot. Because he had not yet been sailing for 24 hours, his distance cannot be compared directly with the others. He was approximately 100 miles behind Selim and will now begin the long chase.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
If the forecast holds, Damien and Pat will continue charging south while the main fleet remains trapped until the wind begins to return.
Don predicts that:
- Damien could be 60–75 miles ahead of Pat by the next tracker update.
- The two leaders could gain 150 miles or more on the main fleet.
- Damien could soon be approximately 180 miles ahead of some of the chasing boats.
- The middle group should begin moving again between tomorrow morning and midday.
- The tail of the fleet will receive the new breeze later.
The first boats could reach the Lanzarote film-drop gate around 15–16 September, while Pär may not arrive until approximately 20–22 September.
The fleet may be splitting—but this race has only just begun. There are still more than 25,000 nautical miles to sail, and anything can happen!
Daily Report Archive Skipper tweets from 10/09/2026
