Twelve boats brave 7,000-mile Pacific crossing in Mini Globe Race's toughest leg
Twelve boats set sail from Fiji on July 26 for the third leg of the Mini Globe Race, bound for Cape Town. The fleet, now smaller than the original 15, faces a gruelling 7,000-mile journey across the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Among them is Christian Sauer, whose determination has kept him in the race despite setbacks.
The third leg began with two fewer boats than planned. Tanguy Le Turquais and Aurélien Poisson withdrew before the start, leaving 12 competitors. The route demands careful navigation through the Great Barrier Reef and unpredictable weather in the Indian Ocean.
Christian Sauer arrived in Fiji five weeks before departure to recover from skin infections. He also used the time to repair his boat, Argo, fixing antifouling damage to the keel and fitting new leeboards at the stern. His manager, Thomas Kindermann, flew in with spare parts, including shrouds and stays. However, a newly installed shroud failed due to a manufacturing defect, adding another hurdle.
Sauer's journey mirrors a historical pause in the same waters. In 1789, the crew of the tall ship Bounty spent five months in the South Pacific during their ill-fated voyage. Now, Sauer looks ahead to the race's toughest stretch, including rounding the Cape of Good Hope. He plans to wait in Durban for a safe weather window before tackling that challenge.
His interim reflection—'I'm happy I've made it this far'—has become a guiding motto. Yet he remains focused on the risks and rewards of the miles still to come.
The fleet now heads toward Cape Town, with Sauer among those preparing for the race's most demanding conditions. His preparations in Fiji and cautious approach to the Cape of Good Hope highlight the balance between perseverance and strategy. The next leg will test both the sailors and their boats to the limit.
