💔 A very sad Sunday for the Golden Globe Race.
Pat Lawless has retired from the GGR 2026 after the lower fitting of his Solent stay failed, leaving the stay and furling equipment flailing over the side of Silvermines Hydro.
Pat managed to get the sail down, secure the damaged equipment to the bow and bring the boat back under control.
During the incident, Pat told Don he nearly lost three fingers, but importantly he is not injured and does not require assistance.
📞 During today’s tracker update, Pat called GGR directly.
He confirmed:
✅ He is safe
✅ The damaged Solent stay is secured
✅ The boat remains seaworthy
✅ He can still use his genoa and reefed mainsail
✅ He does NOT intend to continue in Chichester Class
✅ He plans to sail north, possibly towards Cape Verde, taking his time and working with the weather
Pat was understandably devastated.
After eight years focused on another attempt at the Golden Globe Race, his race has ended because of one critical rigging failure.
And there was another painful detail…
Pat did not realise that Damien Guillou was only around 100 miles ahead.
He thought Damien had already opened a much larger gap.
🌊 MEANWHILE, THE RACE CONTINUES
🏆 Damien Guillou now has clear water ahead, but faces a complicated weather transition with rapidly shifting winds and confused seas.
🚀 Ertan Beskardes continues in excellent conditions at around 6.3 knots with approximately 149 miles.
🔥 Andrea Lodolo has turned the corner and is moving fast at around 6.9 knots.
⛵ Daniel Pinsky — around 6.2 knots.
💪 Mara Løvenskiold Kveseth — around 6.9 knots / 153 miles, just ahead of Etienne.
❤️ Etienne Messikommer — around 6.9 knots / 151 miles.
🚀 Guido — around 5.9 knots.
🌊 Isa Rosli — around 5.5 knots / 138 miles.
💨 Henry Wootton — another huge day, around 169 miles, gaining strongly on the boats ahead.
😎 Matt Woodside — moving quickly again.
🇸🇪 Pär Nyman — around 6.9 knots / 154 miles and trying to reconnect with Window LIVE.
🙏 Louis Kerdelhué — around 4.2 knots / 85 miles, taking it steadily on his way toward Recife.
🌍 Guy deBoer — almost through the Doldrums and potentially only around 150 miles from the stronger trade winds.
🌦️ WEATHER
The South Atlantic remains extremely complicated.
Damien is moving through a rapid transition with winds potentially reaching:
💨 25–30 knots
⚠️ Gusts possibly around 40 knots
🌊 4–5 metre seas in places
🔄 Rapid shifts from NE → E → SE → NW
The middle fleet, meanwhile, continues to enjoy much cleaner sailing and good speeds.
⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:33 – A difficult Sunday begins
00:47 – 💔 Pat Lawless is OUT of the GGR
01:21 – Computer failure delays tracker update
03:45 – 🌍 Tracker begins
04:38 – Pat’s weather situation
06:18 – Damien’s complicated weather
08:58 – Fleet overview
09:15 – Ertan: 6.3 knots / 149 miles
09:38 – Andrea charging
09:43 – Daniel
09:57 – Mara vs Etienne
10:29 – Isa
10:39 – Henry gains strongly
10:54 – Matt & Pär
11:27 – Louis heading for Recife
11:34 – Guy nearly through the Doldrums
12:28 – 48-hour weather outlook
14:33 – Damien’s next few days
17:11 – 4–5 metre seas
18:11 – Leaderboard
18:45 – 💔 Pat Lawless retirement explained
19:02 – What is a Solent stay?
20:05 – Previous rigging problem
21:29 – Swaged vs mechanical terminals
22:54 – How GGR discovered the problem
24:17 – Could Pat continue in Chichester Class?
25:34 – Lessons from Damien’s rigging
27:37 – Rigging lifespan discussion
29:37 – Fleet informed Pat has retired
31:14 – How reliable are the weather models?
33:12 – Could Tristan da Cunha help Pat?
34:07 – Why the boat is still safe
35:14 – Chichester Class stop rules
37:38 – Emergency jury rig equipment
39:15 – Pat & Rita’s Parkinson’s fundraiser
46:09 – 📞 PAT CALLS GGR
51:42 – Post-call update
54:34 – What actually broke
55:07 – Pat nearly loses three fingers
55:48 – Damage secured
56:56 – Pat will NOT go to Cape Town
57:03 – Pat plans to sail north
57:24 – Cape Verde a possible destination
57:55 – Race definitely over
59:40 – Pat’s team can now provide weather routing
1:03:42 – Globe Yacht Club
1:07:07 – Pat can now use modern technology
1:07:31 – Why he doesn’t want to continue
1:09:13 – Could he reconsider?
1:11:24 – Jean-Luc’s famous comeback story
1:14:14 – Why this situation is different
1:17:07 – Pat’s boat remains capable
1:25:16 – Messages of support for Pat
1:27:11 – Closing thoughts
Today is not about winning or losing.
It is about a sailor who gave everything to get back to the Golden Globe Race — and whose campaign ended because of one piece of equipment.
Pat is safe.
Silvermines Hydro is secure.
And now he begins the long sail north.
Fair winds, Pat. 🇮🇪💚
#GGR2026 #GoldenGlobeRace #PatLawless #SilverminesHydro #SoloSailing #OceanRacing #Sailing
