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“When I first explain to people what is about to happen with the MGR, most shake their head and say impossible, or simply stare in disbelief, so I know this adventure is going to create waves and big stories on and off the water. This is not a Vendee Globe sprint that is certain, but it is an achievable and affordable adventure for special sailors that is set to inspire and amaze many. The entire 15 yacht fleet is worth less than one foil of an IMOCA! yet these ALMA Globe 5.80 yachts are truly capable and proven safe ocean voyagers, specially conceived and designed to race solo around the world just like an IMOCA!”
EXPLAINS DON MCINTYRE, EVENT ORGANISER.
“All entrants must meet strict entry qualifications, and the safety equipment specifications are exhaustive and worlds best practice with each boat assigned its own individual 24hr a day safety manager to monitor daily progress and manage international logistics.”
The McIntyre MGR promises to be a spectacular event for those following. Like all of Don McIntyre‘s unique human adventure races, including the Golden Globe Race and the Ocean Globe Race. The Mini Globe Race will be well-documented, with weekly written and recorded voice reports and daily updates and LIVE Tracker reviews on the MGR Facebook Page, YouTube, Instagram and MGR website, plus, progress of the fleet can be followed on the MGR Yellow Brick YB 24hr tracker.
While the MGR is still looking for a tile sponsor, the Class Globe 580 one design yacht established in 2020, with over 235 participants in 35 countries around the world has secured a unique sponsor for the next five years. In future the 580 will be known as the ALMA Globe 5.80. ALMA was Founded in 2007 by a very discreet and generous philanthropist, whose goal is to support those worthy Humans who are usually brilliant in their fields but not well known by the masses. Rings a bell? Like Don McIntyre!
“The way Don McIntyre is making sailing more accessible to the common Human is something we find very special and inspiring. With mental health now mentioned on a regular basis in the press and social media, we actually feel your races are really making a difference in the wellbeing of the Humans that participate in your events .”
ALMA REPRESENTATIVE.
Follow ALMA instagram and facebook updates.
Over the years, ALMA has made a significant difference in the lives of musicians, artists, solo sailors, disabled athletes and even a big wave rider who has now ridden the biggest wave ever, on a bodyboard, in the infamous Nazaré wave, in Portugal. ALMA also supports Theatre and Cinema, and they are proud to be weeks away from launching a movie about Teenage Suicide, made almost entirely by teenagers, including the script, original soundtrack and main characters.
“I am truly excited to have ALMA onboard helping to promote the ALMA Globe 5.80 Class, as there is no doubt in my mind that this simple, strong, build it yourself adventure yacht is becoming a classic in its own right and adventure makes good people and inspires many!!”
DON MCINTYRE, ALMA Globe 5.80 CLASS FOUNDER & EVENT ORGANISER
The 13 men and two women in the McIntyre MGR represent nine countries, Australia 5, United Kingdom 3, and one each from Germany, Canada, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States of America. Four of the Australians have shipped their boats to the start in containers and one is sailing down from the USA. All others have either trucked their boats or are sailing to the start. Neils Kamphuis from the Netherlands is entered in the Globe 580 Transat only. These men and women young and old all have inspiring and interesting back stories and no two are the same.
12 Skippers and their teams have already arrived in LAGOS, the Portuguese home of the ALMA Globe 5.80’s since 2021. Father and son team Mike & John Blenkinsop, hull 99 and 100 built two identical ALMA Globe 5.80’s both shipped in a 40ft container from Queensland Australia, while Dan Turk sailed his “Little Bea” 3600 miles solo across the North Atlantic from Nova Scotia Canada to Portugal for the start and is now ready in Lagos. Teams must assemble in the marina no later than Dec. 17th and more than a few Xmas parties are scheduled prior to the Dec 28 start.
“It is a huge honour to host the start of the Globe 580 Transat on their way to the start of the McIntyre Mini Globe Race in Antigua. Lagos was the home port of the Portuguese discoveries of the 15th century and our Marina is the perfect stop for any sailor, either enjoying short or long-distance sailing adventures. Good luck to all the competitors!”
MARTINHO FORTUNATO, MARINA DE LAGOS MANAGER
The Race from Lagos to Lanzarote is a 550-mile qualifier for the Globe 580 Transat after an eight day stopover. This is a tradition going back to the original 1977 Mini Transat started in the UK by Bob Salmon and a great way to settle the fleet before the 3000-mile race across the Atlantic to the Antigua National Sailing Academy
“Marina Rubicon is pleased to host the Atlantic stop for the GLOBE 580 Transat. Since the beginning of this race in 2021, and again in 2023 we have been supporting the event and the 580 Class. It’s really good to see the development of both. We are very pleased that Don McIntyre chose Marina Rubicon and all our team to be part of this very unique event. Marina Rubicon wishes good luck to the entire fleet and in the McIntyre Mini Globe Race and hopes to see every starter, arriving safely in Lanzarote.”
RAFAEL LASSO, MARINA RUBICON MANAGER
