Mini Globe Race unveiled
A new round the world race for a one design self-built 5.8m yacht has been announced.
Don McIntyre, who is behind the Golden Globe and Ocean Globe Races, said the Mini Globe Race would start from a European port in either October or November 2024.
The event, which will run over six legs westabout via Panama, is one of a series of races for his One Design ClassMini 5.80, which he was due to launch at March’s HISWA Amsterdam Boat Show. An Azores and Back race in June-July 2022 and two 5.80 Transat events, with the first starting from Portugal in November 2021, are also planned.
Designed by Polish sailor Janusz Maderski, the plywood ClassMini 5.80 is self-righting. Hull No1 is currently being built in Poland and will undergo sea trials from late June. Plans for the boat, which will take around 500 hours to build, will be available from 1 June. McIntyre said that with a LOA of 5.8m, a beam of 2.3m and a draught of 1.5m, he would expect average speeds of 100 miles a day.
“We hope to see boats building all over the world and if that happens, we will support national associations and local races. It’s not foiling, nor carbon and we’re OK with that!” he said.
The boat also has a bow foam crash box, three watertight compartments, two watertight bulkheads and a fully battened mainsail. ClassMini580.com