New sequence for the Globe40 with the finish in the Indian Ocean
by Sirius Events 22 Oct 09:12 BST
22 October 2025
After crossing the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope yesterday evening, passing not at the level of South Africa but at the southern limit of the course, the leading group of the 2nd edition of the GLOBE40 entered the new territory of the Indian Ocean last night.
The Indian Ocean officially begins at longitude 20 degrees East at Cape Agulhas (Cabo Das Agulhas in Portuguese), 180 km east of Cape Town; BELGIUM OCEAN RACING - CURIUM entered at 00:17 UTC this morning, followed 1 hour 09:42 minutes later by CREDIT MUTUEL at 01:27 AM (including tax).
This arrival in the Indian Ocean on this 21st day of racing marks the end of the incredible stretch of the course experienced by the competitors since the start of the Cape Verde leg in Mindelo on October 2nd; for the first, 5,975 miles will have been covered at an average speed of 12.75 knots on the surface and even at an average speed of 14.7 knots from the Equator after passing through the long Doldrums. A fantastic sporting and human scenario for all the competitors, demonstrating the full oceanic potential of the Class40.
There are currently 2,120 miles left to cover before arriving at Reunion Island, which should occur mid-to-late next week, around October 30th/31st. This new phase of the race will not be short of pitfalls, between the famous Aiguilles Current, which can reach up to 5 knots in the opposite direction of the course; the Mascarene High, which can also block the route with large areas of calm; and the final finish on Reunion Island, with a wind blowing off the island that can reach up to 20 miles offshore. And last but not least, a finish line to be sought at the bottom of St. Paul's Bay. A scenario that could well resemble the tricky finishes of the Route du Rhum.
On the sporting front, the Belgian team has built up a lead of around 40 miles in recent days, tacking around the "wall" at the southern limit of the course, at the last 6:00 mark; significant but not enough to ease the pressure on a highly experienced CREDIT MUTUEL team always on the lookout for the slightest tactical opportunity. Also noteworthy is the rapid recovery of the German crew of NEXT GENERATION, who in just a few days went from a 600-mile to 325-mile gap to the leading group, benefiting from more favorable weather conditions than the leaders.
The sharp crews still has a long way to go before the Cape of Good Hope, but facing very windy conditions, the fleet is making rapid progress, with BARCO BRESIL still in the lead. With a strong low pressure system forecast for this weekend around South Africa, the sharp crews will have to be patient and cautious before reaching the Indian Ocean in their turn.
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