- Six plywood Class Globe 5.80m amateur-built ocean racing mini yachts are about to race solo across the Atlantic.
- Boatshed.com onboard as Gold Sponsor for the Globe 5.80 Transat.
- First ocean event for the Class Globe 5.80 yachts and a qualifying event for the first ever 2024 Mini Globe Race solo around the world.
- Building plans for the new Globe 5.80 were released just 18 months ago and 165 builders in 27 countries are underway.
- Globe 5.80 conceived as an affordable, safe and fun-to-sail design class for amateur sailors and serious adventurers.
The McIntyre Adventure Globe 580 Transat is the first event for the new amateur-build plywood Class Globe 5.80 one design, mini ocean racer.
It is attracting strong interest with 165 builders in 27 countries. The first six launched from five countries are all entered in this inaugural race.
Conceived by Don McIntyre, founder of the Golden Globe and Ocean Globe races, as a way to bring mini ocean racing back to its roots for amateur sailors, young or old, and those with a spirit of adventure who have enthusiastically embraced this new class. Over the next 12 months, up to 40 more should be sailing.
Neil Chapman, Founder and CEO of Boatshed International Yacht Brokerage is in Lagos to announce a GOLD Sponsorship with the Globe 5.80 Transat and supporting partnership to the Class Globe 5.80.
We have been supporters of Don in the 2018 Golden Globe Race and again with this next 2022 GGR and the Class Globe 5.80. This Globe Transat looks very exciting to us. This is a natural fit that works for all our connections and I am sure it will be a great adventure with a strong future.
Neil Chapman
Marina De Lagos is hosting the start on 1 November which will be covered on Facebook LIVE and on the www.Globe580Transat.com tracking page. The yachts then sail 600 miles to Marina Rubicon in Lanzarote as a qualifier. On 18 November, the 3000-mile solo race across the Atlantic begins and many followers are waiting to see how the Globe 5.80’s preform. First home to the Antigua Yacht Club Marina wins.
The beauty of the 5.80 lies in its simplicity. Easy to build and sail, even under windvane. It is not meant to be the fastest 5.80m yacht, but she sails well, can be driven hard and being a ‘one design’, we are all in the same boat, with the exact same Quantum sails which are very cool. We have world’s best practice for all safety and security issues and have restricted some equipment to keep it affordable. We allow satellite phones for media interviews and up to four daily tweets from entrants. So with the live tracker and regular social media updates followers will have fun!
Don McIntyre
Entrants
The entrants are all real sailors and fun characters:
Swiss entrant Etienne Messikommer (33) sailing NUMBATOU-88
When asked ‘WHY?’, he says he is ‘doing it for the fame, money and women!’ who love his lollypop paint job conceived by a prominent Swiss artist. He took a year to build his Globe 5.80 from a kit and does not like stainless steel, so painted every piece BLACK! He only went with the Selden mast plain as he ran out of time to paint that too!
UK entrant Peter Kenyon (40) sailing ORIGAMI-47
Peter has built his 5.80 ORIGAMI-47 from a kit and is a little secretive and not active on social media. That is all about to change, as the other entrants believe he is a secret billionaire.
WHY? (I have been asking myself that for a week!). ‘I would just say that’s a personal challenge. First of all, what I wanted to do is build the boat, and then, well I’ve built the boat now so why don’t I just try and sail the Transat. I am still questioning whether I am going to make it, right?’.
Severin Hummer (25) also from Switzerland sailing SHRIMP-98
Severin is following a dream and looking forward to the 2024 Globe Transat.
WHY? ‘Oh I don’t know, I really don’t know. It was my dream to do an ocean sail and I was looking for a mini. I expect to learn a lot of stuff. And have fun!’.
Michal Krysta (36) from Czech Republic sailing MENAWAN-07
Michal is a well know adventurer, but not on the water. He flies paragliders in the sky and does crazy rock climbing and endurance running, everything you do not need to succeed in a Globe 5.80. BUT watch this space. He is driven to win and will sleep on bare boards. WHY? ‘For me it’s another experience, another adventure and a big adventure… I want to be alone.’
Jim Schofield (58) from Ireland sailing MOLLY CLAIRE-57
Jim launched his boat this week and is now on a ferry from Ireland to Portugal arriving Sunday. He will miss the start but will catch up with the rest in Lanzarote for 18 November. Follow the LIVE TRACKER on www.Globe580Transat.com and Facebook LIVE coverage of the start.
