There were cheers, whistles, horns and more than a few gasps of disbelief as the McIntyre Mini Globe Race (MGR) set sail from Falmouth Harbour on Sunday, 23rd February.

Fifteen solo sailors departed on a 26,000-mile circumnavigation in their home-built ALMA GLOBE 580 yachts, turning the usually tranquil National Sailing Academy into the launch site for Antigua’s first-ever around-the-world yacht race. It is of course, the boats that are mini, not the globe!

The start was dramatic and exciting, with a whole flotilla of boats of all sizes out to see them off. Little Bea had a brief hiccup, getting stuck in the shallows around Blake Island, but managed to shake himself free and rejoin the fleet—just a little extra excitement for the spectators!

This world-first event features tiny 19ft plywood yachts, a design gaining popularity in 37 countries. The sailors, representing eight nations, had to earn their spot by completing the 3,000-mile Globe 580 Transat from the Canary Islands to Antigua.

The MGR is the brainchild of Australian adventurer Don McIntyre, known for organizing extreme ocean races. These competitors, having spent years building their boats in backyards and garages, now face over a year at sea, braving the world’s toughest waters in boats that look alarmingly delicate next to the superyachts in Falmouth Harbour.

Their first stop is Panama, but, being too small for the Panama Canal, the boats will be transported overland before setting sail again for Fiji.

ABSAR Director Richard Fear optimistically noted, “Well, it’s downhill to Panama, they have spinnakers and jibs, that’s a good start!”

After Fiji, they’ll navigate across Australia, plunge into the Southern Ocean, and stop in Cape Town before crossing the South Atlantic to Recife, Brazil. The final stretch will see them returning to Antigua in March 2026—if all goes to plan!

Jasmine, sailing Numbatou, joked, “I thought this was the best way to really learn to sail!” (She reassures us she has, in fact, sailed before.)

When asked why he was doing this, an Irish skipper simply said, “If you have to ask, you won’t understand. I was just born this way.” Nope, still don’t understand!

With determination, skill, and more than a little madness, these sailors are off to make history, proving that big adventures don’t need big boats. Fair winds and following seas, Mini Globe Racers!