Josh Kali Finishes First-Ever McIntyre Mini Globe Race

On Tuesday, March 10, Seattle sailor Josh Kali crossed the finish line to complete the first-ever McIntyre Mini Globe Race around the world. Kali was the ninth finisher of the final leg as he sailed into Falmouth Harbour, Antigua. Upon his arrival in Antigua for the finish, the joy and excitement was palpable. Race organizer Don McIntyre and several other sailors met Kali at the dock, helping tie off his boat Skookum before lavishing him with congratulatory hugs and backslaps all around.

Racing in ALMA Class Globe 580 home-built 19-ft plywood yachts, the fleet of 15 boats set out to sail 24,000 miles, starting from Antigua in February 2025 and sailing westabout via the Panama Canal back to Antigua, across four legs. Eleven of the 15 starters completed the entire race.

The winner was Renaud Stitelmann of Switzerland (#28 Capucinette), who won every leg of the race and set the inaugural record time of 180 days 11 hours 25 minutes and 57 seconds of sailing time. His average speed through all weather and oceans of the world was 5.54 knots, or 133 miles a day. This is a remarkable average for a 19-ft boat! He returned 377 days after the start, with the competitors having visited 15 ports in 13 countries along the way. Second across the line in Antigua was Pilar Pasanau from Spain, who finished the fourth leg just a few hours later.

We spoke with Josh on our Good Jibes podcast before he left and will be connecting with him for a future podcast as soon as he recovers his land legs. Creating and managing the event is an enormous achievement, as is the fact that 11 of the 15 19-ft boats completed the circumnavigation.

The second edition of the McIntyre Mini Globe Race is scheduled for 2029, with over 25 sailors already committed. If you’re thinking of going, you’ll want to start building your boat!