South Australian Solo Sailor Daniel Turner battles the world's oceans in the Mini Globe Yacht Race
by Dan Turner 1 Jan 06:23 GMT
South Australian sailor Daniel Turner, skipper of Immortal Game (Hull No. 05), continues his extraordinary solo circumnavigation in the McIntyre Mini Globe Yacht Race, one of the world's most demanding offshore sailing challenges.
Turner departed Cape Town, South Africa, on the 28th of December 2025, beginning the next critical leg of the race as the fleet heads westward across the Atlantic Ocean. Sailing alone aboard his 5.8-metre Globe 5.80 yacht, Turner is currently holding second position among a tightly contested international fleet, maintaining steady progress despite the relentless physical and mental demands of solo ocean racing.
Throughout this leg, Turner has been navigating some of the most complex and unforgiving weather systems on the planet. From unstable trade winds and aggressive squall lines to large, slow-moving ocean lows generating heavy seas and prolonged periods of strong winds, conditions have required constant vigilance and rapid decision-making. Managing shifting pressure systems, confused swell patterns and long stretches without consistent forecasting — all while sailing alone — highlights the exceptional seamanship required to remain both competitive and safe in the Mini Globe Yacht Race.
Reflecting on the journey so far, Turner said, "I have learned how to work alongside Immortal Game to get the best out of her. This is the homestretch, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together."
The fleet's next scheduled landfall is the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena, followed by a demanding crossing to Recife, Brazil. These legs require precise navigation, careful energy management and constant monitoring of weather windows, with limited opportunities for shelter or assistance in some of the world's most isolated ocean regions.
The Mini Globe Yacht Race is a single-handed, round-the-world event sailed in identical Globe 5.80 yachts, covering more than 23,500 nautical miles. Competitors face months at sea, minimal outside assistance, and extreme isolation as they navigate some of the most remote oceans on Earth. The race tests not only technical sailing skill, but resilience, self-reliance and endurance.
Turner's campaign aboard Immortal Game has drawn growing attention from the Australian sailing community, with his calm approach to adversity and consistent performance earning respect among fellow competitors and race organisers alike. Each leg completed brings him closer to fulfilling the dream of circumnavigating the globe solo — a feat achieved by only a select few sailors worldwide.
Following Recife, Turner will continue onward toward the final Atlantic legs before ultimately returning to Antigua, where the race is expected to conclude in early 2026.