GOLDEN GLOBE RACE 2026: Guillou Moves Beyond the Cape of Good Hope as Classic Mara Battles Through the South Atlantic

Almost two months after the start of the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race in Les Sables-d’Olonne on 6 September, the fleet is entering a new chapter of its solo circumnavigation.

French skipper Damien Guillou has now progressed beyond the southern tip of Africa and is heading east towards the next major waypoint in the Indian Ocean. Behind him, the battle for second and third places is becoming increasingly interesting, with significant changes in the chasing group over the last 72 hours.

For Budget Marine, there is also an important development in the story of Classic Mara aboard Showgirl. Following the recent South Atlantic storm, Mara has continued to make encouraging progress. However, a delay in her tracker transmissions means her precise current position cannot yet be confirmed.

Meanwhile, the sailors are beginning to experience the transition towards the Southern Ocean, where colder temperatures, longer ocean swells and more sustained weather systems will make boat preparation and good seamanship increasingly important.

Position update: This report uses the latest available public Yellowbrick tracking data, timestamped 4 November 2026 at 04:00 UTC and last synchronised at 05:21 UTC. The latest accessible official written GGR report is Day 58, published on 3 November. Rankings involving boats with delayed tracker transmissions are clearly identified.

1. Damien Guillou reaches a major milestone

Damien Guillou | France | Solarem

The French skipper continues to lead the race, having successfully negotiated the latest South Atlantic weather systems.

His latest recorded position, at 04:00 UTC on 4 November, was approximately 43°47.4’S, 21°05.5’E, placing him well beyond the Cape of Good Hope region and into the Indian Ocean sector.

He has approximately 18,979 nautical miles remaining to the finish, with 813 nautical miles to the next designated waypoint at 45°S, 40°E. Day’s Run

Guillou covered approximately 100 nautical miles towards the finish during the latest 24-hour reporting period, with a seven-day distance made good of 1,017 nautical miles.

This is an important personal milestone. In the previous Golden Globe Race, his 2022 campaign ended in the waters south-east of Cape Town. Continuing beyond that area represents another significant step in his attempt to complete the circumnavigation. The official GGR report had highlighted this milestone as he approached the Cape. Golden Globe Race

Ertan Beskardes remains second

Ertan Beskardes | United Kingdom | Miss Beagle

Ertan remains in second place, approximately 745 nautical miles behind Guillou in the latest distance-to-finish ranking.

His recent progress has been encouraging. He recorded approximately 129 nautical miles made good over 24 hours, gaining 28 nautical miles on the leader during that period. Day’s Run

Ertan has adopted a relatively conservative approach to the Southern Ocean transition, concentrating on maintaining a comfortable and sustainable sailing rhythm rather than pushing the boat unnecessarily hard.

His earlier onboard broadcasts also showed him working on traditional navigation, plotting positions by hand and checking his sextant calculations against information received from passing shipping.

The difference between first and second remains substantial, but Beskardes is establishing himself as the strongest current challenger.

2. A dramatic change in the battle for third place

One of the most interesting developments this week is the changing order between Swiss skipper Etienne Messikommer aboard Bernard and Italian skipper Andrea Lodolo aboard BiBi.

Etienne has moved into third place, overtaking Andrea after a remarkable recovery.

Three days earlier, Andrea was approximately 268 nautical miles ahead of Etienne in the distance-to-finish ranking. The situation has now completely reversed.

At the 04:00 UTC update on 4 November:

Etienne had 20,262 nautical miles remaining.
Andrea had 20,277 nautical miles remaining.
Etienne’s advantage was approximately 15 nautical miles. Day’s Run

However, the two boats are geographically separated by approximately 461 nautical miles, with Andrea positioned to the south-west of Etienne.

This is therefore not a direct match race. Their different routes through the South Atlantic weather system are producing very different results, and the coming days will show which tactical decision proves more successful.

Etienne recorded approximately 145 nautical miles made good over 24 hours, while Andrea’s reported progress was considerably slower as he negotiated difficult easterly winds.

The battle for third is now one of the most interesting contests to follow.

3. The middle fleet is producing its own close battles

Further back, the competition is becoming increasingly tight.

Henry Wootton moves ahead of Daniel Pinsky

British skipper Henry Wootton aboard Privateer has moved into fifth place, overtaking Israeli sailor Daniel Pinsky aboard Exodus.

Three days earlier, Daniel was approximately 86 nautical miles ahead. Henry has now reversed that situation and holds a four-nautical-mile advantage in the latest distance-to-finish ranking.

Henry also recorded the strongest 24-hour performance of the fleet, with at least 153 nautical miles made good. Daniel recorded approximately 136 nautical miles. Day’s Run

Daniel previously reported particularly demanding conditions, including winds approaching 50 knots. His earlier Window LIVE footage showed him hand-steering during a difficult period, while the official GGR had warned that his more southerly position exposed him to stronger conditions than some of the boats around him. Golden Globe Race

Matt Woodside and Gunnar Christensen exchange places

Another interesting contest is developing between American skippers Matt Woodside aboard Tipi Haere and Gunnar Christensen aboard Pompoen.

Their relative positions have changed hands three times in the last three days.

At the latest update, Matt was seven nautical miles ahead in the distance-to-finish ranking, although their boats were still approximately 349 nautical miles apart geographically. Day’s Run

This illustrates how different weather patterns can produce very different results, even when boats are sailing towards the same general destination.

4. Classic Mara: Following Her Journey aboard Showgirl

Helga Marie (Mara) Løvenskiold Kveseth | Norway | Showgirl

Mara continues her solo circumnavigation, and the latest developments offer an interesting picture of both her sailing performance and the personal challenges of life aboard Showgirl.

Current position and progress

The latest public tracking compilation places Mara provisionally seventh among the 13 tracked boats.

However, there is an important qualification.

Her last recorded position was approximately:

32°53.1’S, 7°19.4’W, at 00:01 UTC on 3 November.

The subsequent 04:00 UTC reporting position on 4 November was missed.

The official GGR report of 3 November had already highlighted a delay in her tracking data, noting that her displayed position was eight hours older than the main fleet update at that time. The latest public-feed compilation still shows the older fix. Golden Globe Race

Her last confirmed performance figures were encouraging:

Performance	Latest available figure
Distance made good in 24 hours	154 nm
Best recent four-hour average	7.1 knots
Distance remaining to finish	20,453 nm
Provisional tracking ranking	7th

The 7.1-knot figure relates to a four-hour period ending on 2 November, not her current speed. Likewise, the 154-nautical-mile daily run relates to the period ending around midnight on 3 November. Day’s Run

What does this mean for Mara’s ranking?

Her displayed distance-to-finish figure places her only one nautical mile ahead of Guido Cantini, while Daniel Pinsky is approximately 108 nautical miles ahead.

However, because Mara’s latest position is delayed, these figures should not be treated as a reliable live comparison. Her actual position relative to these competitors may have changed.

Another demanding South Atlantic passage

The latest weather information illustrates just how challenging the previous storm was.

At the time of Mara’s last recorded position, the independent weather model estimated:

Mean wind: approximately 36 knots.
Gusts: approximately 50 knots.

These are model-derived estimates at the last reported position, not measurements transmitted by Mara from aboard Showgirl. Day’s Run

In its 2 November report, the GGR described Mara sailing at approximately 6.4 knots. Her more northerly position was expected to help her avoid the strongest conditions affecting Daniel and Etienne.

The onboard footage showed Mara working as the wind increased, before appearing tired below deck while discussing the weather. She also expressed reluctance to move further south because of the possibility of encountering stronger winds. Golden Globe Race

By 4 November, model-based weather estimates indicated that the low-pressure system had moved away from most of the reporting fleet. No gale-force gusts were estimated at the boats with fresh 04:00 UTC positions.

Unfortunately, Mara’s missing transmission means we cannot confirm exactly what conditions she is experiencing now. Day’s Run

A Halloween celebration in the middle of the ocean!

One particularly enjoyable story from Mara’s recent onboard footage deserves a mention.

Despite the demanding conditions, Mara managed to celebrate Halloween at sea.

On the evening of 1 November, she appeared on GGR Window LIVE holding a carved Halloween pumpkin, a gift she had received from a carpenter in Les Sables-d’Olonne before departure.

There were costumes, face paint and a little celebration aboard Showgirl, a welcome moment of light-heartedness during an otherwise demanding passage.

At the time of the footage, the yacht was sailing at approximately 6.3 knots. Go Boating NZ

But the broadcast also revealed some of the more serious decisions Mara was facing.

She discussed the difficulty of choosing the correct sail configuration for the approaching weather. Reefing the mainsail affected the boat’s heading, while reducing the Yankee headsail would cost speed.

She was also monitoring a falling barometer, which had dropped from approximately 1,020 to 1,008 hPa.

These were Mara’s own observations during the broadcast, illustrating the constant balance between boat speed, sail handling and safety when sailing alone.

The importance of communication at sea

Another interesting aspect of Mara’s recent journey is the developing radio relationship between several skippers.

She has established a regular evening radio conversation with Etienne Messikommer, Daniel Pinsky and Henry Wootton.

These exchanges provide an opportunity to compare weather observations, discuss tactical situations and simply share a little companionship during long periods of isolation.

Mara and Daniel have even exchanged ideas about their onboard meals, including pizza and hummus!

It may seem like a small detail, but these human connections are an important part of the psychological challenge of a solo circumnavigation. The sailors remain competitors, but they are also sharing an extraordinary experience thousands of miles from land. Go Boating NZ

Continuing to follow Mara

Mara remains included in the revised GGR Window LIVE broadcasting schedule introduced on 3 November.

The official archive also allows followers to catch up on previous onboard broadcasts and see how conditions have evolved. Golden Globe Race

Her previously announced ten-day race penalty, relating to six unauthorised satellite telephone calls, also remains part of her campaign. According to the official GGR announcement, it is to be applied on the North Atlantic return passage. No new decision concerning this matter was identified in the latest reports. Golden Globe Race

For Budget Marine, the focus remains on following Mara’s sailing performance, her progress aboard Showgirl and the personal journey behind her participation.

There is still a very long way to go.

5. The latest fleet situation

The following table summarises the latest available distance-to-finish ranking, based on the 4 November 04:00 UTC public tracking snapshot.

Position	Skipper	Yacht	Distance to finish
1	Damien Guillou	Solarem	18,979 nm
2	Ertan Beskardes	Miss Beagle	19,724 nm
3	Etienne Messikommer	Bernard	20,262 nm
4	Andrea Lodolo	BiBi	20,277 nm
5	Henry Wootton	Privateer	20,341 nm
6	Daniel Pinsky	Exodus	20,345 nm
7*	Mara Løvenskiold Kveseth	Showgirl	20,453 nm
8	Guido Cantini	Hannah of Cowes	20,454 nm
9	Pär Nyman	Lazy Otter	20,620 nm
10	Isa Rosli	Olleanna	20,711 nm
11	Matt Woodside	Tipi Haere	20,823 nm
12	Gunnar Christensen	Pompoen	20,831 nm
13	Guy deBoer	Spirit	21,613 nm

The ranking for Mara is based on her older tracking fix and is not a confirmed current position. Guy deBoer is sailing in Chichester Class, outside the main race competition. Figures compiled from the public Yellowbrick feed by Day’s Run. Day’s Run

Three original starters have now retired from the main race:

Selim Yalcin, who retired in Cádiz on 25 September.
Pat Lawless, who retired on 17 October following the failure of his Solent rig and rudder-head connection.
Louis Kerdelhué, who retired on 26 October after reaching Recife and deciding not to continue for health reasons. Day’s Run

Pat Lawless is continuing his northbound return passage. The last official report, on 3 November, placed him approximately 18 nautical miles south of the equator. Golden Globe Race

Guy deBoer continues his circumnavigation in Chichester Class following his earlier repair stop.

6. The weather: the storm moves away, but the Southern Ocean awaits

The recent low-pressure system has been an important test for the fleet.

On 2 November, several boats encountered strong winds and confused seas. Model-derived conditions indicated gusts above 50 knots around Daniel Pinsky, while the middle group experienced particularly demanding conditions.

The weather data show that the situation gradually improved during 3 November.

By 4 November at 04:00 UTC, the model indicated:

Maximum mean wind in the reporting fleet: approximately 21 knots.
Maximum estimated gusts: approximately 27 knots.
Fleet median wind: approximately 15 knots.
No boats with fresh reports experiencing modelled gale-force gusts. Day’s Run

These figures are weather-model estimates rather than direct onboard measurements, and Mara’s missing tracker update means her conditions are not included in the latest fleet comparison.

The immediate storm has therefore moved away from most of the reporting fleet, but the sailors still face the challenge of navigating the transition towards the Southern Ocean.

The next major waypoint is 45°S, 40°E. Guillou is approximately 813 nautical miles from this mark, while Beskardes is around 1,563 nautical miles away. These distances are calculated from the latest available positions. Day’s Run

Beyond this waypoint, the sailors will face the long passage through the Indian Ocean towards Cape Leeuwin in Western Australia.

7. What to watch next

The coming week should bring several important developments:

Damien Guillou: his progress towards the 45°S, 40°E waypoint and whether he can maintain his substantial lead.
Ertan Beskardes: whether he can continue reducing the gap to the leader.
Etienne Messikommer versus Andrea Lodolo: a fascinating tactical contest for third place following Etienne’s recovery.
Henry Wootton and Daniel Pinsky: whether Henry can consolidate his newly acquired fifth position.
Classic Mara aboard Showgirl: the restoration of reliable tracker transmissions, her confirmed position and progress relative to Daniel and Guido.
The Southern Ocean: the next major weather systems, colder temperatures and the increasing importance of boat and equipment preparation.

The Golden Globe Race has already delivered tropical storms, equipment failures, difficult tactical decisions and several retirements. The fleet is now entering a new phase, with the Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean challenges becoming increasingly real.

For Budget Marine, we will continue following Classic Mara’s journey aboard Showgirl while reporting the wider race developments and the remarkable achievements of all the sailors still at sea.

The adventure continues!