Day eight sees Damien and Pat maintaining their substantial advantage as they approach Lanzarote, but a change in the weather could help the chasing fleet recover some ground. Light winds are slowing much of the fleet, with stronger conditions expected to arrive from behind over the next 24–48 hours.
THE LEADERS
🇫🇷 Damien Guillou – SOLAREM
Damien remains out in front after covering 138 nautical miles in 24 hours, although his speed has eased to around 5.1 knots. Approximately 200 miles from Lanzarote, he could reach the film gate late on 15 September or overnight, but lighter winds make the arrival time uncertain.
🇮🇪 Pat Lawless – SILVERMINES HYDRO
Pat recorded 140 nautical miles in 24 hours, gaining a couple of miles on Damien while extending his advantage over the chasing fleet. Moving at approximately 4.6 knots, he remains around 173 miles ahead of the nearest pursuers, although both leaders are beginning to lose their favourable breeze.
THE CHASING FLEET
🇮🇹 Andrea Lodolo – BIBI
Andrea remains at the front of the chasing fleet, but an 80-mile day has allowed Ertan to close the gap. He still holds an advantage of approximately 19 miles over Ertan on the tracker’s distance-to-finish calculation.
🇬🇧 Ertan Beskardes – MISS BEAGLE
Ertan has enjoyed a stronger day than most of those around him, covering 100 nautical miles and gaining around 20 miles on Andrea. With better wind approaching, he has an opportunity to maintain that pressure.
🇮🇹 Guido Cantini – HANNAH OF COWES
Guido was moving at approximately 5 knots after an 86-mile day, making him one of the faster boats in the chasing fleet at the time of the update. His carefully prepared Vancouver 34 continues to demonstrate its competitive potential.
🇨🇭 Etienne Messikommer – BERNARD
Etienne covered 86 nautical miles in 24 hours and was sailing at around 4.7 knots. His speed is improving after the lighter conditions, with the approaching breeze offering the prospect of a more productive day.
🇮🇱 Daniel Pinsky – EXODUS
Daniel recorded an 83-mile day, with Guy closing from behind after a stronger 24-hour run. Like the surrounding boats, he will be looking to make the most of the wind filling in across the fleet.
🇺🇸 Guy deBoer – SPIRIT
Guy’s track has been less direct, but he was making approximately 4.9 knots after covering 96 nautical miles in 24 hours. That stronger daily run has helped him gain ground on Daniel ahead.
🇫🇷 Louis Kerdelhué – IE CHARGE
Louis has headed farther offshore, apparently searching for stronger wind, and was moving at around 3.7 knots. His 76-mile day was less than Mara’s, allowing her to narrow the gap despite his better speed at the time of the update.
🇳🇴 Helga Marie (Mara) Løvenskiold Kveseth – SHOWGIRL
Mara covered 86 nautical miles in 24 hours, continuing to close on the boats ahead despite slowing to approximately 2.1 knots. With only around 37 miles separating her from Louis along the direction of the course, the previously separated middle groups have effectively merged.
🇨🇦 Isa Rosli – OLLEANNA
Isa matched Mara’s 86-mile day and was progressing at around 2.4 knots. Light winds continue to limit his speed, but the forecast suggests a much stronger push south is approaching.
🇺🇸 Gunnar Christensen – POMPOEN
Gunnar recorded 73 nautical miles in 24 hours and was moving at approximately 2.3 knots. He remains caught in the lighter conditions affecting the back of the main fleet, awaiting the stronger breeze expected from behind.
🇺🇸 Matt Woodside – TIPI HAERE
Matt is following the inshore route, where light winds and shipping traffic are keeping him occupied. He covered 67 nautical miles in 24 hours and was making around 2.2 knots.
AT THE BACK
🇹🇷 Selim Yalcin – HELP DISABLED CHILDREN
Selim recorded a much improved 107-mile day and was sailing at approximately 3.3 knots, although a windless area lies ahead. His earlier slowdown was explained by a decision to stop and concentrate on jobs aboard the boat; the precise work involved was not specified.
🇸🇪 Pär Nyman – LAZY OTTER
Pär covered 127 nautical miles in 24 hours, gaining 20 miles on Selim and leaving him just three miles behind on distance to finish. He was moving at around 2.1 knots, working upwind closer to the coast, where a narrow band of breeze could help him edge ahead.
WEATHER OUTLOOK
The chasing fleet should begin finding stronger wind from tonight, potentially sailing at 6–7 knots while Damien and Pat remain closer to 4–5 knots. By 16 September, parts of the fleet could encounter winds around 28 knots, gusting to 35, with seas building towards 2.5–3 metres. Selim and Pär may experience some of the strongest conditions.
That breeze should support faster progress towards Lanzarote, with further arrivals expected around 18–20 September. Beyond the island, however, the trade winds look weak and unsettled. If that forecast holds, the leaders could slow again, giving the boats behind another opportunity to reduce the gap.
Daily Report Archive Skipper tweets from 14/09/2026
