Key Takeaways
- The 3rd leg of the GLOBE40, from Réunion Island to Sydney, is one of the most demanding in the Class40 round-the-world race.
- After departing on November 22, 2025, the 8 teams first faced the calms of the Mascarene High before diving south to 45° latitude in search of westerly depressions.
- First serious withdrawal: The German crew of NEXT GENERATION BOATING AROUND THE WORLD had to turn back to Réunion after a major rigging failure, ending their leg but not their adventure.
- The leaders, CREDIT MUTUEL and BELGIUM OCEAN RACING, are locked in a tight battle, with speeds exceeding 30 knots and extreme conditions.
- Passing Cape Leeuwin, the second iconic cape, marks a strategic and psychological turning point for the skippers.
- Expected arrival in Sydney between December 11 and 16, 2025, but crossing the Great Australian Bight and Bass Strait still promises twists and turns.
A Mythical Leg: A Human and Technical Challenge
Having set off from Réunion Island on November 22, 2025, the 8 GLOBE40 teams first had to contend with the calms of the Mascarene High, a dreaded but inevitable passage. Once through this zone, the push south began: skippers gradually descended to 40°, then 45° south latitude, where westerly depressions offer exceptional sailing conditions—but also monster waves and biting cold. “This is the great south we came for, the one we dreamed of, fantasized about,” confides one skipper. Albatrosses, guardians of these inhospitable waters, accompany the sailors in a world where every mile is hard-won through fatigue and constant vigilance.
A Withdrawal Highlighting the Race’s Harshness
The German crew of NEXT GENERATION BOATING AROUND THE WORLD was forced to withdraw after a major rigging failure. Despite a quick reaction, repairs at sea were impossible. After two days of deliberation and consultations, Lennart Burke and Melvin Fink decided to turn back to Réunion, which they should reach within a week. This is the first serious incident in 10,000 miles of racing, a reminder that the GLOBE40 remains a test where both machinery and humans are pushed to their limits.
Tight Racing and Speed Records
At the front, CREDIT MUTUEL (Ian Lipinski/Amélie Grassi) and BELGIUM OCEAN RACING (Jonas Gerckens/Renaud Dehareng) are engaged in a merciless duel. Lead changes are frequent: 29 in two weeks, with gaps often reduced to just a few hours. The leg’s speed record is held by the Belgian team, with a peak of 30.8 knots. As they approach Cape Leeuwin, CREDIT MUTUEL has opened a 50-mile lead, but nothing is certain: the older “pointy” Class40s are only two days behind and could still shake up the rankings.
Provisional Standings (December 5, 2025):
| Position | Boat | Skipper(s) | Distance Behind (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CREDIT MUTUEL | Ian Lipinski/Amélie Grassi | – |
| 2 | BELGIUM OCEAN RACING | Jonas Gerckens/Renaud Dehareng | +50 |
| 3 | FREE DOM | Thibaut Lefevere/Noé Delpech | +500 |
| 4 | BARCO BRASIL | Richard Palmer/Rupert Holmes | +550 |
Cape Leeuwin: A Crucial Passage
Located at the southwestern tip of Australia, Cape Leeuwin marks the exit from the Indian Ocean and the entry into the Pacific. It is a pivotal moment, both strategic and symbolic. Skippers must adjust their course to avoid the meteorological traps of the Great Australian Bight and Bass Strait, known for violent currents and shifting winds. “This is a stage where every choice matters,” notes an expert.
Next Stop: Sydney in Sight
The leaders are expected in Sydney between December 11 and 12, with the rest of the fleet arriving by December 16. However, the ascent to Australia remains fraught with challenges, and gaps can still narrow or widen.
Why Is This Leg So Special?
- Extreme conditions: cold, giant waves, violent winds.
- Technical challenges: equipment constantly pushed to the limit, increased risk of failure.
- Human experience: few sailors have the chance to navigate these latitudes, where nature reigns supreme.
The GLOBE40 confirms its status as a race that is at once athletic, adventurous, and human, where performance goes hand in hand with self-transcendence.