The seven crews still racing in the second edition of the GLOBE40 left Valparaiso Bay (Chile) to begin the fifth leg, heading to Recife (Brazil). A 4,860-mile course, marked by the passage of the legendary Cape Horn, followed by a climb up the South Atlantic towards the Brazilian coast. This leg, with a coefficient of 2, promises to be decisive for the overall standings, with a tight duel at the front and demanding weather conditions.
Key Points
- Departure: Valparaiso (Chile), Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 2:20 PM local time (5:20 PM UTC).
- Expected Arrival: Recife (Brazil), around March 15, 2026.
- Distance: 4,860 miles, including 1,500 miles to Cape Horn, then 3,000 miles to Recife.
- Stakes: A coefficient 2 leg, crucial for the overall standings before the final sprint to Lorient.
- Favorites: BELGIUM OCEAN RACING-CURIUM (2 points ahead) vs CREDIT MUTUEL (duo Lipinski-Carpentier).
- Return of FREE DOM: After a solo Pacific crossing, the classic Class40 reignites the competition among the “pointus”.
- Conditions: Passage of Cape Horn expected within a week, with westerly winds, followed by a challenging ascent of the South Atlantic (calms, depressions).
Cape Horn, Totem and Challenge
A Mythical Passage
Cape Horn, located at the southern tip of South America, is legendary among sailors. A convergence zone for winds and currents, it concentrates depressions from Antarctica. For most GLOBE40 skippers, this will be a first. The “scow” Class40s (wide, flat hulls) should reach it in a week, followed by the “pointus” (classic hulls) one or two days later. Weather forecasts predict a “lively but not inaccessible” passage, with strong westerly winds after an engaged upwind start.
A Complex South Atlantic Ascent
After the Horn, crews will have to manage changing weather conditions: Andean depressions, calm zones, before finding the southeast trade winds. “Many challenges await our sailors,” summarizes the organization. Strategy will be key to avoiding pitfalls and optimizing the route to Recife.
Tight Standings and Upcoming Duels
At the Front: BELGIUM OCEAN RACING-CURIUM vs CREDIT MUTUEL
- BELGIUM OCEAN RACING-CURIUM (Jonas Gerckens – Corentin Douguet): 2 points ahead overall. Objective: Secure their position with a leg victory.
- CREDIT MUTUEL (Ian Lipinski – Antoine Carpentier): Back as a duo, they aim for the 2 missing points to tie before the final leg.
- NEXT GENERATION (Germans): After damage in the Indian Ocean, they are back strong and could play spoiler.
Among the “Pointus”: FREE DOM Returns, BARCO BRASIL Leads
- FREE DOM (Thibaut Lefevere – Maxime Bourcier): After a solo Pacific crossing and only 4 days of stopover, they depart with the ambition to challenge BARCO BRASIL (José Caldas – Luiz Bolina), leader of the “pointus” ranking with a 12-point lead.
- WILSON (Lisa Berger – Jade Edwards-Leany) and WHISKEY JACK (Melodie Schaeffer – Paul Stratford): With only 3.5 points separating them, the battle for the podium remains open.
Overall Standings Before Leg 5
| Boat | Points (overall) | Points (pointus ranking) |
|---|---|---|
| BELGIUM OCEAN RACING-CURIUM | 1st (2 pts ahead) | – |
| CREDIT MUTUEL | 2nd | – |
| BARCO BRASIL | – | 1st (12 pts) |
| FREE DOM | – | 2nd (28.50 pts) |
| WILSON | – | 3rd (22.50 pts) |
| WHISKEY JACK | – | 4th (41.50 pts) |
Valparaiso, an Unforgettable Stopover
The skippers unanimously praised the Chilean welcome. Valparaiso, with its colorful hills, street art, and historic port, offered a magical interlude after the Pacific crossing. The Chilean Navy ensured the safety of the crews and organized the prize-giving at the National Maritime Museum. “Valparaíso was the best stopover – We absolutely fell in love with this country and will definitely come back,” confides Lisa Berger (WILSON).
Next Steps
- Arrival in Recife: Expected around March 15, 2026.
- Final Leg: Recife – Lorient, coefficient 2, departure on March 29, 2026.