🌊 A DRIFTING DINGHY, UNDERWATER HULL CLEANING… AND DAYS OF MISERABLE HEADWINDS! 😱⛵
“I WAS SO TIED IN THAT I FORGOT TO TIE THE DINGHY OFF!” 😂
GGR2026 American skipper Gunnar Christensen has quite a story to tell in his Week 5 satellite phone call with Race Chairman Don McIntyre!
🛟 THE DINGHY THAT GOT AWAY!
While cleaning barnacles from his boat in the middle of the Atlantic, Gunnar came up with a clever idea — using a small inflatable dinghy as a working platform!
Despite the rough conditions, he managed to scrub the hull and even dive underneath to finish the job by hand.
But then came the unexpected moment…
😱 HE FORGOT TO SECURE THE DINGHY!
After climbing back aboard, Gunnar realised his little inflatable was drifting away! He had to start the engine and retrieve it!
And all of this was captured and discussed through the incredible GGR Window LIVE experience!
🌊 MEANWHILE, THE WEATHER IS DRIVING HIM CRAZY!
Gunnar has been pounding into southwesterly winds for days, struggling to make progress in his preferred direction.
💬 “I’m pounding, absolutely pounding to windward… and it’s pretty miserable!”
Despite escaping the Doldrums with just one day of calm, the stubborn southwesterly breeze refuses to disappear.
He’s managed to reach a similar latitude to Etienne and some other competitors, but getting back on course is another challenge entirely!
📹 WINDOW LIVE — A VIEW INTO REAL LIFE AT SEA!
Gunnar loves sharing the adventure through Window LIVE, giving followers a fascinating look at what really happens aboard a solo ocean racing yacht.
❤️ And beneath all the frustrations, there’s a warm message to family and friends back home.
⏱️ VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS — JUMP TO THE ACTION!
00:00 📞 Gunnar checks in — was he supposed to call this week?
00:30 🌊 “IT’S PRETTY MISERABLE!” Days of pounding into headwinds!
01:12 ⛵ Only ONE day in the Doldrums — but still trapped by the wind!
01:51 🧭 Catching up with Etienne’s latitude, but unable to turn south
02:15 📹 Gunnar talks about the fantastic GGR Window LIVE experience
03:07 🛟 THE INFLATABLE DINGHY ADVENTURE BEGINS!
03:22 🌊 Cleaning the hull in rough Atlantic conditions
03:43 😱 “I FORGOT TO TIE THE DINGHY OFF!” — And away it went!
03:57 🚨 How Gunnar recovered the drifting dinghy
04:05 🤿 DIVING UNDER THE BOAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ATLANTIC!
04:53 💡 Why a small inflatable makes hull cleaning much easier
05:42 🦪 Are the barnacles growing back already?
06:45 🎤 Three microphones later… Window LIVE technical challenges!
07:18 ❤️ “I LOVE YOU ALL!” Gunnar’s message to family and friends
07:45 ⛵ Final words from Gunnar — keep going and stay safe!
⚓ THIS IS THE REAL GOLDEN GLOBE RACE!
No support crew alongside, no easy repairs, and never a dull moment — even when there’s barely any wind!
💬 WOULD YOU DIVE UNDER YOUR BOAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ATLANTIC TO CLEAN THE HULL? 🤿😳
👇 Tell us in the comments, and send Gunnar some encouragement!
📍 Follow Gunnar and the entire GGR2026 fleet on the live tracker:
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more GGR2026 satellite calls, incredible Window LIVE moments and real stories from the world’s toughest solo sailing adventure!
#GGR2026 #GoldenGlobeRace #GunnarChristensen #SoloSailing #WindowLIVE #OceanAdventure #SailingLife
