Pat Lawless is closing on Damien Guillou as the leaders approach Lanzarote for the first film drop. Pat has gained approximately 30 nautical miles in 24 hours, reducing their separation to around 50 miles. Behind them, strengthening northerly winds should accelerate the chasing fleet, offering opportunities to recover ground.
THE LEADERS
🇫🇷 Damien Guillou – SOLAREM
Damien remains in front but light winds have limited him to 80 nautical miles in 24 hours, with a reported speed of 3.2 knots. He has been hand-steering under spinnaker to squeeze out extra performance as Pat closes from behind.
🇮🇪 Pat Lawless – SILVERMINES HYDRO
Pat recorded 110 nautical miles in 24 hours, gaining around 30 miles on Damien. Sailing at approximately 3.9 knots, he is now only around 50 miles behind, keeping the contest for the lead very much alive.
THE CHASING PACK
🇮🇹 Andrea Lodolo – BIBI
Andrea holds third place and is moving at 6.1 knots, having covered 113 nautical miles in 24 hours. After lighter winds near the coast hampered his progress, he is pushing to recover ground, although the leading pair remain a substantial distance ahead.
🇬🇧 Ertan Beskardes – MISS BEAGLE
Ertan remains fourth, recording 108 nautical miles in 24 hours and sailing at approximately 5.1 knots. He continues to hold his position near the front of the chasing group as stronger winds approach from the north.
🇨🇭 Etienne Messikommer – BERNARD
Etienne has covered 121 nautical miles in 24 hours, following a notably direct course with few abrupt changes of heading. Moving at 5.1 knots, he is combining efficient progress with lively stories and updates through the GGR Window.
🇮🇱 Daniel Pinsky – EXODUS
Daniel continues steadily in sixth place, with 112 nautical miles in 24 hours and a speed of 5.1 knots. Away from the competition, a dolphin monitored by a conservation organisation has been named after him.
🇺🇸 Guy deBoer – SPIRIT
Guy is firmly focused on racing, covering 119 nautical miles in 24 hours. He remains among a closely matched group and is looking for a route through the fleet to improve his position.
🇮🇹 Guido Cantini – HANNAH OF COWES
Guido recorded 95 nautical miles in 24 hours, but his current speed of 5.9 knots suggests better progress is now underway. With several boats close alongside on different tracks, positions in this group remain finely balanced.
🇫🇷 Louis Kerdelhué – IE CHARGE
Louis’s decision to head farther offshore in search of wind appears to be paying off. He recorded 127 nautical miles in 24 hours and was sailing at 6.5 knots, making him one of the strongest performers in today’s report.
THE MIDDLE GROUP
🇳🇴 Mara – SHOWGIRL
Mara is making steady progress at 5.3 knots, with 106 nautical miles covered in 24 hours. Her relaxed onboard updates, including time spent reading Kirsten Neuschäfer’s book, show her settling into life at sea while continuing to race.
🇬🇧 Henry Wootton – PRIVATEER
Henry is putting pressure on the boats ahead, sailing at 6.1 knots after a 116-nautical-mile day. He covered ten miles more than Mara over the same period, gradually narrowing the gap.
🇨🇦 Isa Rosli – OLLEANNA
Isa has turned west, possibly seeking stronger wind and a more favourable sailing angle. His 115 nautical miles in 24 hours and current speed of 5.4 knots keep him closely matched with the surrounding boats.
🇺🇸 Gunnar Christensen – POMPOEN
Gunnar continues consistently at 5.3 knots, having covered 111 nautical miles in 24 hours. The approaching northerly breeze should provide a useful boost as he follows the fleet south towards Lanzarote.
🇺🇸 Matt Woodside – TIPI HAERE
Matt remains in good spirits, reporting an enjoyable time at sea and recording 100 nautical miles in 24 hours, with a speed of 5.2 knots. His position in the leaderboard was older than those of the surrounding boats, so the displayed ranking did not fully reflect his latest progress.
AT THE BACK OF THE FLEET
🇹🇷 Selim Yalcin – HELP DISABLED CHILDREN
Selim has moved ahead of Pär after covering 76 nautical miles in 24 hours, sailing at approximately 4 knots. He sounds relaxed but intends to increase the pace, with stronger winds expected to reach him among the first.
🇸🇪 Pär Nyman – LAZY OTTER
Pär has slipped to the back after becoming caught in the wind shadow near Cape Finisterre, managing only 32 nautical miles in 24 hours. His speed has recovered to around 3.1 knots, and the incoming northerlies should help him get moving again.
WEATHER AND THE APPROACH TO LANZAROTE
Stronger northerly winds are forecast to spread south through the fleet over the next two days, with winds around 30–32 knots in places and following seas of approximately 3–3.5 metres. The boats farther back should benefit first, potentially reducing some of the leaders’ advantage.
At the time of the report, Damien had approximately 143 nautical miles remaining along the suggested approach to Marina Rubicón. A daylight arrival tomorrow was considered possible if the wind improved, with Pat potentially following later in the day. Both estimates remain dependent on the light winds around the leaders and their final routes around Lanzarote.
Daily Report Archive Skipper tweets from 15/09/2026
