Golden Globe Nears First Cape

The 2018 Golden Globe Race is nearing the first of the Great Capes, and the fleet is sitting in every different type of weather imaginable, from placid wind to the first hints of the Roaring 40s. Frenchman Jean-Luc Van Den Heede is in the lead, and the "first to open the way of the Great South, thanks to the high winds providing an ideal angle for speed," a Golden Globe press release read.

A few days ago, "race organizers posted two navigation warnings to the fleet on Sunday, and today have raised the southern limit to 42°S from Longitude 40°E to keep the fleet clear of the worst conditions in the South Indian Ocean." Keep in mind that racers do not have laptops with weather forecasts — the participants of the modern Golden Globe are limited to sailing similar yachts and equipment to what was available to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in 1968, which "means sailing without modern technology or benefit of satellite based navigation aids." 

Three sailors have already dropped out of the race, and two others have dropped down to the "Chichester" class, making one stop, but still hoping to complete their circumnavigation.

The bulk of the fleet is approximately two weeks ahead of Knox-Johnston’s position 50 years ago. "It is clear that the remnants of the winter storms are still running through the 40 and 50 latitudes. Raising the exclusion line to 42°S now is a prudent measure to keep the 2018 GGR fleet from straying into the worst of this weather."

You can follow the race here.