Gales, calms, equipment failures and now a major South Atlantic storm reshape the race as the fleet races towards the Southern Ocean challenge

• Severe South Atlantic storm approaches the GGR fleet from Sunday, with winds around 50 knots and gusts potentially reaching 70 knots.
• Pat Lawless aboard SILVERMINES HYDRO retires, heading north with the Cape Verde Islands among his possible destinations after Solent stay and rudder-head problems ended his challenge.
• Damien Guillou aboard SOLAREM continues to lead by around 450 nautical miles, but is now working northeast to reduce his exposure to the most extreme sector of the approaching storm.
• Louis Kerdelhué aboard IE CHARGE is expected to arrive in Recife around 09:00 on 24 October, seeking rest and an opportunity to resolve onboard problems while keeping open the possibility of remaining in the GGR.
• Mara Løvenskiold Kveseth aboard SHOWGIRL continues with a 10-day penalty relating to six unauthorised satellite telephone calls, to be served in the North Atlantic on the return towards Les Sables-d’Olonne.
• The South Atlantic is dividing the fleet after four weeks of confusing weather, with the mental challenge proving every bit as demanding as the sailing.

LES SABLES-D’OLONNE, FRANCE — After almost seven weeks, the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race is approaching its Southern Ocean test. Since the 6 September start, leader Damien Guillou has sailed approximately 6,500 nautical miles, with the Cape of Good Hope and months of Southern Ocean sailing still ahead.

Serious breakdowns remain relatively few, with radio failures more common and barnacles not yet a major fleet-wide concern. Fatigue, isolation and unpredictable weather are testing the sailors as much as their boats.

Severe South Atlantic storm approaching from Sunday

A severe South Atlantic storm system is developing in the path of the Golden Globe Race fleet, with the first major impacts expected from Sunday, 25 October.

By Thursday, 22 October, forecasts showed a powerful frontal system stretching nearly 2,300 nautical miles across the South Atlantic from northwest to southeast. The most severe sector was then forecast to bring sustained winds of 50–60 knots, with gusts potentially reaching 90 knots.

Today, Friday, 23 October, the outlook has moderated slightly, but the system remains a major threat, with forecast winds around 50 knots, gusting to 70 knots, and a rapid shift from northwest through to southwest as the front passes. The fleet is being kept updated as the situation develops. Entrants in the middle and northern sections have been advised to remain north of 28°S by 24 October to reduce their exposure.

Race leader Damien Guillou, currently leading the fleet by around 450 nautical miles, had been tracking towards the storm’s most extreme sector and has been advised to work northeast and climb north of 38°S, where the impact should be significantly reduced. Even so, Damien may still experience winds around 50 knots with stronger gusts, although the sea state could be less severe than farther south.

The fleet is only now beginning to enter the Southern Ocean, with Damien just reaching the Roaring Forties and the other skippers still farther north. Race management continues to monitor every forecast closely and hopes the system will weaken further. Whatever its final intensity, the storm and associated front are expected to have a significant impact on the fleet over the coming days.

From 40-knot gusts to almost no wind

Damien’s advantage over the main chasing fleet had fallen from approximately 750 nautical miles and is now around 450 nautical miles. The South Atlantic High forced him and Pat farther south into easterly headwinds, while their pursuers turned the corner around Trindade sooner than expected.

Earlier, winds of 30 knots, gusting to 40 knots, and 4–5 metre seas left Damien fatigued and frustrated. Then came near-calms, with SOLAREM rolling in confused seas. Two weeks ago, a main-halyard failure cost him approximately five hours at Trindade. He replaced it and added an external halyard, giving him three options. The chafe point cannot be fully repaired at sea, making that backup important before the Southern Ocean. While near Trindade, he also removed some barnacles.

Pat Lawless: a cruel end to a strong challenge

Pat’s Solent stay failure at deck level left his main rig secure, but presented a serious challenge to recover and lash down the damaged gear. Rudder-head trouble compounded the problem: two riveted fastenings failed in the fitting connecting the tiller to the rudder head, and he lacked suitable replacement bolts for a secure repair.

He considered repairing and continuing, but judged another four months of Southern Ocean sailing unrealistic. Now heading north, he may make for the Cape Verde Islands or the Canary Islands. It is another painful retirement after an Aries windvane self-steering failure ended his 2022 GGR non-stop challenge and forced him into Cape Town.

A new contest for 2nd place

Ertan Beskardes aboard MISS BEAGLE moves into 2nd, with Andrea Lodolo aboard BIBI pressing from 3rd.

Ertan’s 2–3-hour GGR Window LIVE broadcasts have made him a star, sharing sun sights, navigation and everyday life afloat. His approach is measured: keep skipper and boat comfortable rather than chase every fraction of a knot.

Andrea recently climbed the mast after losing a main halyard but otherwise reports all well. Approximately 300 nautical miles behind him, Daniel Pinsky aboard EXODUS reports no significant boat problems, although persistent fatigue remains a challenge. The boat is doing fine.

The mind game — and a 10-day penalty

Etienne Messikommer aboard BERNARD nearly quit in the doldrums. Refocusing on rounding the three great capes and returning to his fiancée, Eloise, restored his enthusiasm — and soon his racing instincts reappeared with sights set on passing boats. He passed Mara Løvenskiold Kveseth aboard SHOWGIRL, but over the past three days he was becalmed again while boats around him kept sailing.

Mara continues with a 10-day penalty — reduced from 16 — for six unauthorised satellite telephone calls, to be served in the North Atlantic on her final passage north to Les Sables-d’Olonne.

Close encounters, difficult weather and running repairs

Guido Cantini aboard HANNAH OF COWES remains without HF radio. After spotting Trindade’s lights at sunset from too far east, he established his bearings and turned sharply west to round the mark, nearly missing the island. A separate close encounter with a ship gave him a fright. At the latest briefing, he was making 1.4 knots in light winds between two high-pressure systems.

Henry Wootton aboard PRIVATEER, a Cape George 36, has struggled to find a rhythm amid calms, strong winds and unfavourable directions. He reported minor rig damage. Isa Rosli aboard OLLEANNA also went too far east and has been working too far west in light winds, uncertain of his position as he negotiates Trindade. Worse, he has a barnacle infestation that could develop further!

Matt Woodside aboard TIPI HAERE, another Cape George 36, is managing a painful back but remains positive, enjoying life aboard the boat he calls home without undue racing pressure.

Pär Nyman aboard LAZY OTTER reports two broken ribs, six or seven mast climbs and a failed radio. He has taken a break from GGR WINDOW LIVE over the past few days, reclaiming some solo sailing solitude.

Gunnar Christensen aboard POMPOEN is dealing with a deck leak and sailing with a small, apparently undersized spinnaker. His entertaining Window LIVE broadcasts and morning coffee rituals show a relaxed attitude, which will surely change in the south.

Recife: a pause, not necessarily the end

Louis Kerdelhué aboard IE CHARGE, youngest in the fleet, covered only a few hundred nautical miles during more than 10 days in the doldrums, a huge mental challenge. Now his main water tank is reportedly contaminated and acidic, though nearly 300 litres remain in separate containers. A faulty genoa furler requires him to go forward whenever he reefs.

He is heading to Recife for rest and repairs, with an estimated arrival around 09:00 on 24 October. Organisers have agreed he may take a refuge mooring and remain in the GGR provided he stays isolated, avoids the marina, allows nobody else aboard and accepts no outside assistance. Entering the marina or accepting assistance would move him into Chichester Class. Whether he continues in either class or retires remains undecided.

The man who missed the doldrums

Guy deBoer aboard SPIRIT crossed the doldrums in only a few days, rarely dropping below 3.5 knots. Now making 4–6 knots in the southeast trades, he remains approximately 1,000 nautical miles behind the main fleet. He continued in Chichester Class after stopping in the Canary Islands for structural repairs.

Don McIntyre, founder and chairman of the McIntyre Golden Globe Race, said:

“GGR WINDOW LIVE has had a few hiccups, but overall it has been a huge success. Followers are sharing the navigation, repairs, highs and lows of real solo sailing. The LIVE storms are going to be interesting. It’s bringing fans closer to the sailors and the experience of racing solo around the world.”

Of 16 starters, 13 remain in the main GGR classification. Pat and Selim Yalcin aboard HELP DISABLED CHILDREN have retired; Guy sails separately in Chichester Class. Louis’s decision could reduce the main fleet to 12.

The Cape of Good Hope and approximately four months of Southern Ocean challenges lie ahead. A substantial fleet could continue towards Australia, but nothing is guaranteed. The leader has now reached the Roaring Forties — and things are about to hot up considerably.

That is the GGR. It is never over till the fat lady sings.

ENDS

Irish skipper Pat Lawless, the oldest skipper in the race at 70, sailing SILVERMINES HYDRO, has retired from the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race after reporting a serious failure of his Solent rig while lying just over 100 nautical miles behind race leader Damien Guillou.

At 23:51 UTC on 17 October, Pat sent a short SMS to GGR Race Control:

“Pat here. Solent rig broken. Rig okay. Now sailing north. Out of the game.”

The message indicates that Pat has suffered a serious failure involving the Solent stay, the secondary forestay situated aft of the main genoa forestay and used aboard SILVERMINES HYDRO for a reefing headsail system. At the time, he was pushing into a 20–25 kt north-easterly headwind and 3–4 m seas. He is approx. 2,000 miles west of Cape Town, South Africa, in the Roaring Forties of the South Atlantic.

A few weeks ago, Pat had already reported damage to the Solent forestay and successfully carried out a repair at sea. It now appears that the stay has suffered another serious failure. At this stage, GGR has not established whether the previous repair itself has failed or whether the latest damage has occurred elsewhere in the Solent rigging.

The most important information in Pat’s message is his statement that the “rig [is] okay.”

There is presently no indication that the mast itself is in danger. The main genoa forestay remains in place, together with the staysail forestay and the remainder of the standing rigging, which GGR currently assumes to be intact.

Pat has reported no injury and has not requested assistance.

For those reasons, GGR has not declared a CODE ORANGE.

Pat is a highly experienced ocean sailor and appears to be fully in control of SILVERMINES HYDRO. Had he considered himself to be in immediate danger, or required urgent assistance, he could have telephoned the GGR emergency number directly, which would have immediately alerted Race Control.

The SMS arrived at approximately 01:51 local French time on 18 October, shortly after Race Control had finished normal monitoring for the night. It was discovered early this morning following the 04:00 UTC tracker update, when Pat’s course was seen to have changed dramatically and SILVERMINES HYDRO was moving slowly in a north-westerly direction.

Pat’s shore manager has now been informed. He too had been watching the tracker but had received no additional information directly from Pat.

Now that Pat has formally retired from the GGR, he is free to use his satellite telephone without the race restrictions that applied while competing. At the time of this release, however, he has not yet made further contact with Race Control.

Immediate situation at sea

Pat’s exact intentions are not yet known.

Based on his present course and speed, one possibility is that he may currently be hove-to or otherwise keeping SILVERMINES HYDRO comfortable while waiting for daylight to fully assess the damage.

Pat’s first priorities will almost certainly be to inspect the damaged rig, secure or remove any loose components and ensure that no further damage can occur.

Once the rig is made safe, it would be reasonable to expect that he may turn towards Cape Town, although GGR stresses that Pat has given Race Control no indication of his intended destination at this stage.

A cruel repeat of 2022

The retirement is particularly difficult for Pat because the 2026 race represented unfinished business.

During the 2022 McIntyre Golden Globe Race, Pat had been sailing strongly near the front of the fleet when his Aries windvane self-steering system suffered a major failure west of Cape Town. Unable to continue his non-stop solo circumnavigation as intended, he subsequently sailed into Cape Town, where his retirement was confirmed on 10 November 2022.

For Pat, the 2026 edition represented what he had described as his final opportunity to achieve a lifelong ambition: to become the first Irish sailor to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation in the Golden Globe Race, while also challenging for overall victory.

His performance in this edition has been exceptional.

In recent days Pat had steadily reduced the distance to French leader Damien Guillou aboard SOLAREM, at one point closing to little more than 100 nautical miles.

The two sailors had effectively broken away from much of the fleet and were shaping up for an extraordinary head-to-head contest as they approached the Southern Ocean.

Damien will undoubtedly be disappointed to learn that the competitor who had been applying such relentless pressure from astern will no longer be part of that battle.

The reality of the Golden Globe Race

For Pat, his family and the enormous body of Irish supporters following SILVERMINES HYDRO, this is a heartbreaking outcome. It also illustrates the uncompromising nature of the Golden Globe Race. Success depends not only on seamanship, navigation and endurance, but also on preparing and maintaining a yacht capable of surviving months of continuous ocean racing under enormous loads. Every piece of equipment matters.

Whether this failure is simply bad luck, fatigue accumulated in the rig during the previous six months, damage sustained earlier in the voyage, or another cause altogether cannot presently be determined.

What is certain is that Pat will be deeply disappointed. He returned to the Golden Globe Race determined to finish the job left incomplete in 2022, was sailing an outstanding race and remained very much in contention for victory.

Pat Lawless has once again demonstrated his determination, seamanship and competitive spirit. For now, however, the priority is simple:

Pat has reported no injury. SILVERMINES HYDRO’s main rig is reported secure. There is no CODE ORANGE. GGR Race Control is monitoring him. But Pat Lawless is officially out of the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race.

Further information will be issued once Pat has assessed the damage and communicated his plans.

Don McIntyre
Founder and Race Director

For the first time the McIntyre GGR Window Live has opened an opportunity for followers to experience the reality of sailing solo around the world and what it means to them and their world.

Mara decided to use the WINDOW LIVE in unique ways, contrary to its intended purpose and on one occasion outside the agreed code of conduct. The events that followed and its escalation were very unfortunate. Much has been said and debated on social media, often without knowing the facts. GGR always investigates any breach of the Notice of Race and issues a public report for everything other than minor rule infringements to ensure the facts are known. The following three reports conclude the GGR’s position on this subject, and we wish Mara great success in the GGR.

12th October 2026

There are two principal issues arising from the events surrounding Mara and WINDOW LIVE:

1. The unauthorised use of the satellite phone; and
2. Whether Mara has intentionally acted in a manner that brings, or could bring, the McIntyre Golden Globe Race into disrepute.

NOR F.8.1 — Unauthorised Satellite Phone Call

“After all facts have been considered and at the discretion of the GGR Race Office, penalties for an unauthorised Satellite Phone call may include a 24hr time penalty for first offence with no material assistance proven and 72hrs for subsequent penalties and relegation to Chichester Class where material assistance is proven.”

NOR C.2.3 — GGR Ambassador

“A GGR Entrant who has moved to Chichester Class and makes a second stop, or an Entrant is disqualified from the GGR by the organiser or voluntarily removes themselves from the GGR rankings after the start, out of any rankings, or trophies within the GGR, but is able to continue their voyage in a timely safe manner, at the sole discretion of the Organiser and without obligation, ‘may’ be allowed to continue sailing as part of the event and GGR fleet, remaining on the GGR Tracker, posting daily Tweets, joining the SoundCloud weekly calls and reported on the usual GGR media updates. This entrant becomes a GGR Ambassador, is free to use sat comms, GPS, receive free weather reports, but should make every effort to keep up with the fleet. An Ambassador can be removed from the GGR event at any time by the organiser without explanation.”

GGR WINDOW LIVE

During the development of GGR WINDOW LIVE (WL), Mara was adamant that she wanted her LIVE broadcasts to appear on her own social media platforms and that she wanted control of her own 24/7 channel.

GGR’s position was that WINDOW LIVE would only be broadcast through the official GGR YouTube platform. Mara ultimately agreed to those conditions and was allocated a sponsored WINDOW LIVE schedule of up to three hours per day.

Lanzarote — 18 September

At the Lanzarote film drop, only 12 days after the start, Mara had a private meeting at sea with her manager, who subsequently spoke with GGR. GGR was advised that Mara was dissatisfied with the performance of her social media campaign and was considering retiring from the GGR and moving into GGR Ambassador status.

The attraction of that option, as described at the time, was that Mara thought she could potentially take control of her satellite communications and broadcast her WINDOW LIVE content through her own social media platforms.

WINDOW LIVE — 27 September

On 27 September, Mara breached the WINDOW LIVE Code of Conduct by broadcasting a controversial message directly to her social media team. During that broadcast she said she might have to be disqualified from the GGR if her social media team did not begin delivering what she expected.

The significance of that statement was that she assumed disqualification or withdrawal from the competitive event could potentially lead to consideration of Ambassador status, under which an entrant may be permitted considerably greater freedom regarding satellite communications, GPS, weather information and personal media activity.

Social media proposal — 8 October

On 8 October, GGR received a proposal from Mara’s social media management strongly requesting that Mara’s WINDOW LIVE broadcasts be moved from the GGR YouTube platform onto her own social media platform.

This was effectively a return to the same issue that had been discussed and rejected before Mara agreed to participate in WINDOW LIVE under the existing terms.

Allegations and request for apology — 11 October

At approximately 1100 UTC on 11 October, Mara called GGR and made a number of allegations concerning Don McIntyre and GGR while seeking a public apology. Don McIntyre responded by email at approximately 1730 UTC, denying the allegations and requesting that the specific accusations be identified and supported with evidence.

No such supporting evidence had been supplied at that stage.

Unauthorised satellite calls — 11 October

At approximately 1930 UTC on 11 October, during Mara’s scheduled WINDOW LIVE session, Mara commenced a series of unauthorised satellite telephone calls with her manager at his request and without prior notice to GGR while broadcasting live.

Over approximately the following 50 minutes, six separate satellite calls totalling 31 minutes were made.

During those calls, approximately eight different subjects were discussed, including:

• sponsors;
• networking;
• staff issues;
• social media;
• radio technology;
• performance;
• the possible establishment of a Board of Directors; and
• what Mara’s team should do next.

At the same time, Mara’s manager streamed the conversation LIVE through Mara’s own social media account.

He also read a prepared letter to Mara setting out his interpretation of the dispute with GGR and proposing four possible courses of action.

GGR considers the decision to conduct and simultaneously broadcast this dispute publicly to have been highly inappropriate. It also significantly increased the public exposure of allegations against GGR and its Founder which, at that stage, had not been supported by evidence.

The question therefore arises as to whether these actions themselves brought, or were capable of bringing, the GGR into disrepute.

Both Mara and her manager appeared to misunderstand the penalties applying to unauthorised satellite telephone calls under the Notice of Race.

Mara has a hard copy of the NOR onboard and her manager has access to the digital version.

Her manager indicated that he believed an unauthorised call would incur only a 24-hour penalty.

They also explained that the call was being streamed publicly so that there could be no suggestion of “secret assistance” attracting a larger penalty.

The NOR does not contain a separate penalty based simply upon a call being conducted secretly. The relevant considerations under F.8.1 include whether the call was authorised and whether material assistance was provided.

Was this part of a broader strategy?

The sequence of events raises legitimate questions.

Was Ambassador status simply being considered as a fallback position before the start, if Mara left the competitive GGR?

Or had obtaining greater control over Mara’s LIVE broadcasts, satellite communications and social media always been an important objective?

The chronology is relevant:

• Before WINDOW LIVE commenced, Mara wanted her LIVE broadcasts on her own
• platform.
• GGR refused and required WINDOW LIVE to operate through the official GGR YouTube channel. Mara finally agreed to this months before the start.
• At Lanzarote her manager advised that Mara was considering leaving the competitive event and moving toward Ambassador status.
• On 27 September Mara publicly suggested that she might need to be disqualified.
• On 8 October her management again requested control of her WINDOW LIVE broadcasts.
• On 11 October the dispute with GGR was broadcast simultaneously through Mara’s own social media platform while six unauthorised satellite telephone calls were taking place.

This does not, by itself, establish that there was a predetermined strategy. However, the sequence reasonably raises the question of whether control of Mara’s LIVE broadcasting and social media has been a central factor throughout the dispute.

Is Mara now waiting to be disqualified? Will she voluntarily retire from the competitive GGR in protest? Or can the dispute be resolved and Mara continue racing under the existing NOR and WINDOW LIVE arrangements?

Those questions remain unanswered.

Four options proposed by Mara’s manager

During the public LIVE broadcasts, Mara’s manager read four possible options to her:

1. “Leave the GGR organization and continue sailing around the world on your own while Live streaming on your Classic Mara channel in order to continue to promote your causes.”
2. “Change to Ambassador class and stream on your own channel. You know the rules there.”
3. “Negotiate a dual embedded stream so that you can have your own chat on your channel run by your own moderators.”
4. “Straighten things out with Don and continue with the GGR under modified terms.”

Options 1, 2 and 3 all have one obvious common element: control of Mara’s LIVE broadcasting and social media.

Option 4 refers to continuing in the GGR under “modified terms”. It is unclear exactly what those modified terms are intended to mean. GGR has no reason to create special rules or arrangements for one entrant outside the existing NOR and agreed WINDOW LIVE conditions.

There also appears to be a misunderstanding by Mara regarding Ambassador status. An entrant cannot simply elect to become a GGR Ambassador and dictate the conditions under which that will occur. Under C.2.3, Ambassador status exists solely at the discretion of the Organiser and without obligation. That substantially changes the relevance of Option 2.

Option 3 — moving or duplicating WINDOW LIVE onto Mara’s own platform with her own moderation — has effectively been requested before and rejected by GGR.

That leaves the fundamental choices considerably clearer.

Current position

At this stage:

• No apology has been made because the allegations for which an apology is sought have not been clearly particularised and supported with evidence.
• GGR has requested that Mara and/or her manager identify all the specific allegations and provide the evidence relied upon.
• Six unauthorised satellite telephone calls have been confirmed.
• No material assistance has been established from those calls.
• Under NOR F.8.1, the first offence attracts 24 hours and each subsequent offence attracts 72 hours.
• The resulting cumulative time penalty for the six calls is 16 days.
• Mara’s participation in WINDOW LIVE has been suspended while the dispute is being resolved as Mara’s manager advised publicising the issue on the WL.

Beyond that, there is little value in escalating the situation further. The relevant penalty has been applied under the NOR. The allegations can be dealt with if and when all evidence is supplied.

Mara’s manager advised Mara to go LIVE the next day to announce her further moves Quote “after all it’s a show on Showgirl.” This is highly inappropriate.

Mara is removed from WINDOW LIVE until the dispute is settled.

For now, GGR can put the surrounding argument to one side and see what Mara and her management decide to do next. The final act is theirs to play.

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14th October 2026

GGR Statement on Mara’s unfounded and incorrect statements about GGR and Don McIntyre and an appeal on the 16 day Satphone penalty.

On 11th October, Mara made serious allegations against GGR and Don McIntyre on the GGR WINDOW LIVE. All those allegations have been proven incorrect with no supporting evidence from Mara’s team. The GGR team has been carefully considering this matter for some time because several separate issues require attention.

Regarding Mara’s statement that alleged screenshots were presented to me containing comments that Mara would die, and that I responded by saying, “Yes, Mara would die,” no evidence has been produced to support that allegation. No screenshots have been provided, nor has any evidence been submitted demonstrating that I made such a statement. Based on the information available to us—and none provided by Mara’s team—this allegation has not been substantiated.

Regarding the allegation that the GGR and Don McIntyre had been making negative posts and comments about Mara for many months prior to the start of the GGR, we have similarly found no supporting evidence. On the information available to us, and none, not one provided by Mara’s team, that allegation is also unsubstantiated.

Regarding Mara’s request for an apology concerning the Facebook post, Don asked for specific details identifying which parts of that post, or of the VELA article referred to within it, had caused offence. This would allow Don to properly understand the concerns raised and consider an appropriate response, including an apology if warranted. Mara’s team provided no specific details.

Nevertheless, the Facebook post concerning chat restrictions on gender-related issues, including the reference to the VELA article, was removed on 14th October.  GGR is preparing a statement explaining our position and making clear that we are sorry Mara was offended. That statement will be provided on 15 October.

Regarding the six satellite phone calls Mara’s team requested a review on the basis that it was a first offence and they would accept a 2-day phone penalty. That request to reassess the severity of the 16-day penalty applied under the Notice of Race, was carefully reconsidered along with the explanation provided in support of Mara’s position.

The following points have been taken into account:

1. It is the responsibility of both the entrant and the entrant’s manager to understand the Notice of Race, including the rules governing communications and the penalties that apply. Mara has a copy of the NOR onboard, and you have access to the digital version.
2. Any dispensation granted to one entrant in relation to a particular circumstance does not automatically apply to another entrant or another situation, nor does it establish a precedent.
3. The penalties applicable to unauthorised satellite phone calls are clearly and specifically set out in the NOR.
4. The calls were deliberately timed to coincide with WINDOW LIVE, thereby providing maximum public exposure to serious allegations being made against the GGR which, on the evidence available to us, have not been substantiated. The timing also meant that no attempt was made beforehand to contact GGR to clarify how the satellite phone penalty would apply, or to request any dispensation covering calls that might drop out and require immediate reconnection.
5. By your own admission during the final call, you were unsure how the satellite phone penalty operated and expressed concern that the penalty might be greater than the 24 hours you had assumed, at which point you indicated that you had better hang up.
6. No attempt appears to have been made to check the relevant satellite phone penalty provisions in the NOR before the calls were made. This is also reflected in your reference to an additional penalty for “secrecy” in relation to a satellite phone call. No such penalty exists in the NOR, yet you indicated that this understanding influenced the decision to make the call during WINDOW LIVE.

Having considered all of the above, we do not believe there are sufficient mitigating circumstances to justify reducing the 16-day penalty to the extent originally requested. 

We have, however, taken into account that this is a first offence. That must be balanced against the deliberate timing of the calls during WINDOW LIVE and the fact that the calls were used publicly to raise serious allegations against the GGR which have not been supported by the evidence provided.

Nevertheless, as a gesture in the spirit of the GGR, we have decided to suspend six days of the original penalty.

The satellite phone penalty will therefore be reduced from 16 days to 10 days.

The suspended six days will remain conditional upon Mara and her team complying with the Code of Conduct and the communication rules, and refraining from conduct which brings the GGR into disrepute, whether during WINDOW LIVE or otherwise, for the remainder of the GGR.

If there is a further breach of this nature, the suspended six days may be reinstated in addition to any penalty applicable to the new breach.

We believe this represents a fair and proportionate balance between applying the Notice of Race consistently, recognising the seriousness of what occurred, and acknowledging that this is a first offence.

Don McIntyre, GGR Founder and Race Director

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15th October 2026

GGR and Mara’s public request for an apology

Mara and her team asked GGR for an apology regarding the publication of an article from the Italian sailing magazine VELA on the GGR Facebook page.

GGR advised the team that providing a meaningful response or apology was difficult without precisely understanding what was considered offensive. We therefore asked for clarification identifying the particular statements, wording or issues in either the GGR post or the VELA article that caused concern.

No specific response addressing those points was provided, although the request for an apology continued.

Context of the article that upset Mara

GGR published a Facebook post that included an article from the Italian magazine VELA. The article was preceded by the following statement:

WINDOW LIVE Chat BOX UPDATE — GGR is shutting down any and all gender comments, good, bad or indifferent, about Classic Mara, or her WINDOW LIVE comments about not needing the GGR. She is one of 15 sailors in the GGR. Thank you — Don.

This action is because the conversation and issue is being hijacked by women’s interest groups. Personally I support women in sailing. By way of an example, here is an article from an influential Italian magazine discussing Mara’s LIVE comments. NOTE: Never once is her gender even referred to. It simply questions what she said, not about being a woman. Similar comments were construed to be only because she was a woman. This is incorrect. Here is the Giornale della Vela article of October 3rd 2026. You can decide.

The VELA article then followed.

An explanation

The race organiser has legitimate reasons to moderate hostile, abusive, repetitive or irrelevant discussion on official GGR platforms. Sharing or referring to outside media commentary does not automatically mean that GGR endorses every opinion or conclusion expressed by the independent writer.

GGR is also entitled to apply the race rules equally to all entrants. This includes restricting team-directed logistical communications through WINDOW LIVE, publishing factual decisions concerning the Notice of Race, and moderating inappropriate comments regardless of who makes them.

The organiser must also remain free to discuss legitimate race-related issues, including motivation, fatigue, media obligations, performance and whether public comments or shore-side distractions may affect a skipper’s focus. Where such matters involve opinion or interpretation, they should be clearly distinguished from verified fact.

The official GGR record also contains positive and supportive comments regarding Mara’s sailing ability and her participation in the event. It would therefore be unfair to conclude from this single post that GGR or Don McIntyre does not wish to see Mara succeed.

Regarding the gender issue, nothing reviewed in the GGR post or the supplied English version of the VELA article establishes discriminatory intent by GGR. Criticism of a competitor’s conduct or public statements is not automatically discriminatory because the competitor is a woman.

The purpose of moderating the WINDOW LIVE chat was to prevent the discussion becoming dominated by hostile or repetitive arguments concerning gender and to maintain a civil and race-focused discussion. It was not intended to suppress legitimate views concerning women’s rights or prevent reasonable discussion.

The VELA commentary may reasonably question whether a competitor in a solo round-the-world race should devote significant attention to shore-side media obligations. It is also legitimate to discuss whether speaking directly to a team through WINDOW LIVE was consistent with the communications rules.

Such criticism can be debated on its merits and should not automatically be characterised as discrimination.

Assessment of the VELA article situation

1. The VELA article does not directly connect criticism of Mara’s conduct with her gender, apart from references to her foundation and women’s-rights objectives.
2. Mentioning those subjects is not, by itself, evidence of sexism or discriminatory intent.
3. Nothing reviewed provides sufficient grounds for GGR or Don McIntyre to accept that discriminatory intent was involved.
4. Criticising the conduct or public statements of a female entrant does not automatically make that criticism sexist.
5. GGR must retain the ability to discuss safety, rule compliance, communications, performance and other substantive race matters even when an entrant disagrees with the commentary.
6. The VELA article reflects the views and conclusions of its author and publication. GGR is, however, responsible for its own decision to share the article through an official GGR platform and for the wording used when introducing it.

Five-point response

1. GGR accepts that publishing the VELA commentary through an official GGR Facebook account, together with some of the wording used in the accompanying post, may have led some readers to believe that the organisers endorsed all of the article’s negative assumptions or conclusions about Mara. That was not the intention.
2. GGR acknowledges that the article represents the views of an independent media outlet and should not be regarded as GGR’s judgment of Mara’s character, integrity, motivation or charitable work.
3. GGR recognises and supports Mara’s stated objective of using her round-the-world voyage to raise awareness of women’s rights and related causes.
4. GGR supports Mara’s safe continuation of her voyage and respects her sailing ability, while maintaining that every entrant must operate under the same racing and communications rules.
5. The purpose of moderating WINDOW LIVE comments is to prevent personal attacks, hostility and discussion being overwhelmed by one issue. It is not intended to suppress reasonable views from women’s-rights organisations, supporters of Mara, or anyone else.

GGR — Public Clarification and Statement

We understand that GGR’s decision to share the VELA commentary through an official GGR account, along with some of the wording used in our accompanying post, may have made Mara and her team feel that the organisers were not treating her fairly.

That was unfortunate, as it was not the intention, and we are sorry for that. We are sorry for the hurt or misunderstanding this may have caused.

The VELA article represented the views of an independent publication. By sharing it, GGR did not intend to adopt every opinion or conclusion expressed in that article as its own.

We respect Mara’s sailing ability, her determination and her charitable objectives, including her stated commitment to raising awareness of women’s rights.

GGR remains committed to treating Mara, and every other entrant, fairly and consistently under the Notice of Race and the agreed WINDOW LIVE arrangements.

Don McIntyre, GGR Founder and Race Director

ATLANTIC STARTS PLAYING FOR KEEPS AS LEADERS BREAK CLEAR

• The storm has gone. The Doldrums have not. The dreams are challenged!
• The GGR just got crazier! Welcome to the WINDOW LIVE and the meaning of everything!
• Reputations made and lost. Winners and losers with no control! Go with the flow or don’t go!
• 16 sailors – two down – 14 to go?

Over the past eight days, the McIntyre Golden Globe fleet has moved from the uncertainty surrounding Tropical Storm Gonzalo into an altogether different Atlantic battle — one dominated by calms, broken wind bands, headwinds, tactical gambles, barnacles, steering and radio failures and, occasionally, pure luck. All this in the first month from Les Sables d’Olonne.

For a while it appeared the 2026 fleet might escape the Intertropical Convergence Zone relatively lightly. The Doldrums looked narrow and several boats passed through with little delay. That illusion is now gone. Instead, the fleet has been dealt the traditional Atlantic lottery. One skipper finds five knots of breeze while another, relatively close by, virtually stops. An eastern route looks brilliant one day and questionable the next. Boats apparently buried in a wind hole suddenly escape, while others sail straight into another.

The result is a fleet increasingly divided into three races.

At the front, Damien Guillou aboard SOLAREM and Pat Lawless aboard SILVERMINES HYDRO have broken clear into the southeast trades. Behind them, Ertan Beskardes aboard MISS BEAGLE has converted his long commitment to the eastern side of the course into a valuable third-place break. And behind Ertan, the chasing fleet remains locked in a constantly changing battle where the weather continues to reshuffle the cards in this grueling mind-bending game that has only just begun.

Within all that, the GGR WINDOW LIVE is creating waves, both good and bad, while the GGR STATS provide all the answers for those who follow the detail.

GUILLOU AND LAWLESS BREAK AWAY

The defining story of the week has been the relentless progress of Guillou and Lawless. Both escaped the worst of the Doldrums before the chasing fleet and established themselves in the southeast trades. Once there, they accelerated.

Guillou has been particularly consistent, repeatedly producing powerful 24-hour runs and steadily adding miles to his advantage. SOLAREM recorded around 164 nautical miles on 4 October, with Guillou driving hard through wet conditions and plenty of water sweeping across the deck.

Lawless remains the only skipper currently applying meaningful pressure. SILVERMINES HYDRO has also produced impressive runs, including days in the high 140s, but Guillou continues to grind out small gains. This morning SOLAREM was charging south at approximately 6.9 knots, with SILVERMINES HYDRO making around 5.9 knots.

Both are now closing on the region of Trindade, where the South Atlantic High weather transition could provide Lawless with an opportunity to reduce the deficit. Nothing is guaranteed, but the rest of the fleet is facing an increasingly difficult reality: Guillou and Lawless are beginning to sail their own private race.

ERTAN’S EASTERN GAMBLE PAYS

The most intriguing tactical story belongs to Ertan Beskardes. For days MISS BEAGLE stubbornly held the eastern side of the fleet. Like Jean-Luc VDH in 2018 and Simon Curwen in 2022, he had a straight-line sailing plan. At times it was painful to watch. There were moments when he appeared to be sailing too high, giving away precious speed while yachts farther west appeared to have the better hand. Then the weather turned in his favour. By 1 October, MISS BEAGLE was making approximately 6.4 knots with a 110-mile day, and Ertan became the first skipper from the main chasing group to establish himself properly in the southeast trades. Competitors farther north remained trapped in unstable Doldrums conditions. 

SNAKES AND LADDERS BEHIND

Behind the leading three, describing the race is considerably more complicated. Etienne Messikommer aboard BERNARD, Guido Cantini aboard HANNAH OF COWES, Andrea Lodolo aboard BIBI, Daniel Pinsky aboard EXODUS, Mara aboard SHOWGIRL and Henry Wootton aboard PRIVATEER have all experienced rapidly changing fortunes. Boats have gone from virtually parked to sailing hard in strong conditions within a remarkably short period.

This morning Messikommer and Wootton were close together, both making around 3 knots southwest, producing a fascinating little race within the race. Lodolo and Pinsky were similarly paired at around 3.7 knots.

Cantini, meanwhile, had found yet another hole. HANNAH OF COWES was averaging only about 0.7 knots over four hours. Two days earlier his SSB long-range radio failed and he took a 24-hour penalty for a sat phone call to his team to help troubleshoot it…but today it has failed again. A repair stop would mean Chichester Class.

THE WINDOW LIVE! IS ALIVE!

Of eight skippers with the TriPeak system, only five are regular contributors. Andrea and Louis have basically disappeared by choice and Pär appears occasionally. Pär declared LIVE that he was losing the joy of sailing with all the GGR rules at sea and, having volunteered for the WINDOW LIVE system, he now questions his choice, preferring to protect his privacy and cope with his own mind game. It happened in 2018 and in 2022 when the magnitude and responsibility of the “Game” hit. Those sailors retired? 

Ertan talks constantly on the “philosophy on life” in relation to his own, and is a favourite with followers. Mara is “life as a screenplay” at times to her fans and makes it look all so easy, snug in her beautiful boat at night, telling stories and reading books to followers. But within that world, when the lights go out, she is a competent sailor making solid progress and doing all that is required in this extraordinary adventure race called the GGR. 

Damien is “pure business” but it is impressive to watch. Gunnar is the man “Deep & Meaningful” displaying a beautiful simplicity and total honesty in everything he says and does. He blows the myth of what a hardened solo sailor is supposed to be. He is not a pirate; he is Gunnar! Etienne is just a “serious racer in love” and it shows. He displays his frustrations with disbelief and love of Bernard, Life, the Ocean and then every night ELOISE his true love! 

The GGR WINDOW LIVE is NOT your usual viewing. It never will be but it is worth a look! The real nature of it is still evolving. For some viewers it is controversial and the chat box of opinions can be interesting. Soon it will be the Southern Ocean; then everything will change again.     

THINGS HAPPEN! 

Gunnar Christensen aboard POMPOEN discovered significant barnacle growth and spent approximately 90 minutes in the water cleaning the hull. This may just be the beginning, not the end of this story! It all played out on the WINDOW LIVE. He declared he did not want to do that again, but the GGR has shown that once they appear, the problem can get dramatically worse quickly!

At the front, Pat Lawless suffered failure of the steering lines from his windvane self-steering system. The repair cost him roughly 90 minutes hanging off the back of his boat! No technicians. No pit crew. Just another day in the Golden Globe Race.

“CODE ORANGE” CONCERN FOR LOUIS KERDELHUÉ

The most serious operational moment came on 5 October when Race Control became concerned about Louis Kerdelhué aboard IE CHARGE. For almost 24 hours his tracker showed unusually slow progress. At times IE CHARGE appeared beam-on to the seas, drifting at one knot or less – despite tracker weather information suggesting there should have been sufficient wind to sail.

Louis had also missed two of his daily safety reports. At 1200 UTC, Race Control opened a potential Code Orange file and sent urgent messages through his satellite telephone and YB3 tracking and messaging unit. The fleet was asked if anyone had heard Louis by radio. The nearest competitor, Gunnar Christensen, was approximately 150 nautical miles away.

Just 30 minutes before the deadline to contact the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, his tracker speed increased and eventually reached around 4.5 knots, providing a strong indication that Louis remained in control. It was a sharp reminder of how important daily safety messages are. Louis faces a €50 penalty for each missed daily safety report.

At the time of this press release, Race Control has just received a YB message from Louis stating “RAS” — French for “rien à signaler”, meaning “nothing to report / all OK.” This is reassuring, although Race Control has still not successfully established voice contact with him by satellite phone.

GUY deBOER RETURNS TO SEA

Meanwhile, Guy deBoer aboard SPIRIT is finally underway again after structural repairs in Lanzarote. Following concerns surrounding the chainplate and hull structure, repairs and inspections were undertaken before Guy returned to sea. He is now continuing in Chichester Class, meaning he is no longer competing for the main McIntyre Golden Globe trophies, but the adventure is very much alive. This morning SPIRIT was making approximately 4.9 knots, heading west of Fuerteventura and chasing a fleet already 1,500 miles south.

THE ATLANTIC MAKES ITS FIRST SELECTION

One month after leaving Les Sables-d’Olonne, the shape of the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race is beginning to emerge. 

• Tropical Storm Gonzalo delivered the first major weather test. The Doldrums have delivered the first major separation.
• Guillou looks exceptionally strong. Lawless remains in pursuit. Beskardes has earned valuable breathing space in third.
• Behind them, however, very little is settled.
• The Southern Ocean has not even begun to have its say. The Cape of Good Hope remains ahead, Cape Leeuwin far beyond and Cape Horn another world away.
• Gear will break. Weather systems will reverse fortunes. Fatigue will accumulate. Entrants will retire.
• There are thousands of miles still to sail and one thing is becoming clear: The Atlantic has stopped sorting this fleet gently. The 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race is starting to play for keeps.

Join Don’s daily 0800 UTC LIVE tracker update and informative Q&A on GGR Facebook and YouTube.

GGR LINKS: Daily Reports | LIVE Tracker | GGR WINDOW LIVE | GGR STATS

After the GGR storm: Gunnar recounts ordeal – Mara questions her Golden Globe future

Candid McIntyre GGR WINDOW LIVE broadcasts reveal the emotional demands of solo circumnavigation, while Damien Guillou and Pat Lawless approach the southeast trade winds.

LES SABLES-D’OLONNE, FRANCE — 28 September 2026. The storm has eased, but its impact on the sailors is still unfolding. Two revealing appearances on GGR Window Live have brought the human challenge of the McIntyre Golden Globe Race into sharp focus: Gunnar Christensen’s account of extreme weather and lost equipment, followed by Mara’s unexpected suggestion that she could withdraw unless her campaign receives greater support on social media.

For a race, the most compelling story was not the distance between boats. It was what keeps their skippers going.

Gunnar: extreme seas, lost equipment and miles in the wrong direction

American skipper Gunnar Christensen, sailing the Hans Christian 34 cutter POMPOEN, was among the sailors race control had identified as particularly exposed to the approaching tropical storm.

In his account of today’s broadcast, race founder Don McIntyre described Gunnar as still appearing shaken while giving a frank explanation of what he had experienced: extreme 50-knot winds and 5-metre seas, equipment lost from the stern, and the frustration of being forced to sail directly away from his intended course for two days.

The shifting weather had left him heading 180 degrees in the wrong direction. His explanation brought a human perspective to the unusual tracks followers had been watching ashore. McIntyre described the broadcast as “an honest and raw appraisal” of the emotions involved in coping with the conditions.

By the 08:00 UTC update on 28 September, the wind had eased and Gunnar was once again heading east, although making just 2.6 knots, increasing his frustration. The immediate battle with the weather had given way to the slower task of rebuilding progress.

Mara: a campaign with a purpose beyond the finish line

A different concern emerged aboard SHOWGIRL, the Saltram Saga 36 sailed by Norway’s Helga Marie “Mara” Løvenskiold Kveseth.

According to McIntyre’s account of her Window Live appearance, Mara openly questioned whether she would continue in the race unless her shore team increased the social-media coverage of her campaign.

She explained that sailing alone around the world, or experiencing the Southern Ocean, was not enough on its own to justify the undertaking. Her overriding ambition was to promote her foundation and women’s causes—and she was concerned that the message was not reaching people ashore.

Having asked passing ships to check her accounts, she believed too little was being published, particularly on YouTube and Instagram. Her frustration centred on whether the months of effort and isolation ahead would achieve the wider purpose behind her voyage.

“This is a complete surprise to the organisers,” said McIntyre. “Now it appears the GGR is not the main game for Mara, social media is when most thought she was telling her GGR story. The GGR is a mind game before anything else and focus is the only thing that will get you to the finish.”

Her comments raised the possibility of withdrawing; they were not an announcement that she had retired. Nevertheless, they introduced an unexpected question about the future of her campaign.

The GGR WINDOW LIVE is an amazing experiment for half the fleet that is showing the world, in real time, the honesty of a tough challenge that impacts the mind, body and soul like never before. Entrants are only 21 days from Les Sables d’Olonne with another 200 days to endure!

Separate communications concerns raised with her team

Organisers have also contacted Mara’s shore team about a separate communications matter involving a third-party website publishing recordings of her radio traffic, alongside concerns about messages relayed from shore using amateur radio.

According to McIntyre, the team has been asked to arrange for the website to be taken down and the recordings removed.

Organisers also report that Mara used part of her live appearance to pass logistical instructions to her team about social-media posting. They say such team-directed logistical messages are not permitted under the Window Live code of conduct.

The distinction matters to the race’s format. Developed with Swedish technology partner TriPeak, GGR Window Live is a one-way broadcasting system designed to let audiences watch life aboard without giving skippers internet access or a two-way connection through the equipment.

With the Lanzarote film drop behind these sailors and the South Atlantic ahead, the prospect of perhaps another seven months aboard is becoming increasingly tangible. Today’s broadcasts exposed two very different pressures: recovering from a storm, and questioning whether the journey is fulfilling its purpose.

On the water: the leaders approach the trades

At the front, France’s Damien Guillou, aboard the Rustler 36 SOLAREM, and Ireland’s Pat Lawless, sailing the Saltram Saga 36 SILVERMINES HYDRO, continue their passage south.

In McIntyre’s 08:00 UTC assessment on 28 September, Guillou was making 6 knots, with Lawless at 5 knots in a lighter breeze. The forecast suggested they had reached the southeast trade winds 550 miles ahead of the main fleet, still struggling in the doldrums or headwinds, potentially opening the way to an even greater breakaway. The rich are getting richer!

Behind them, Andrea Lodolo, sailing BIBI, and Etienne Messikommer, aboard BERNARD, were separated by only a few miles. Ertan Beskardes follows aboard MISS BEAGLE.

Lodolo and Messikommer were both making around five knots on course, while Beskardes appeared relaxed and was progressing southeast at 4.6 knots.

Isa Rosli, aboard OLLEANNA, Matt Woodside, sailing TIPI HAERE, and Louis Kerdelhué, aboard IE CHARGE, were also working southeast, each making approximately two to three knots.

Farther west, Daniel Pinsky’s EXODUS and Henry Wootton’s PRIVATEER were struggling to find enough breeze to keep moving. Pinsky was making 0.3 knots, while Wootton and Mara were coaxing 2.5 knots, with SHOWGIRL under spinnaker.

The weather assessment offered some encouragement: the doldrums appeared to be weakening, with light winds rather than an extensive belt of complete calm. Progress could remain slow, but the forecast suggested fewer areas of total shutdown.

The tracker measures their progress in miles. Today, Window Live revealed something harder to quantify: the effort, uncertainty and personal conviction behind every one of them.

Messages from sea — facing the storm and its aftermath

25–28 September 2026

GGR entrants must send a daily message as a safety check-in. Here is a selection about the storm and its aftermath, lightly edited for readability.

Isa Rosli — OLLEANNA

• 25 September: “Going through big wind and waves from Storm Gonzalo. Maximum reefing now.”
• 26 September: “A lot to learn from this storm. Preparation for the Southern Ocean. Spotted a gooseneck barnacle on the rudder and a few things to fix. :(”
• 27 September: “Finally decent progress, close-hauled sailing going south. The storm shut the getaway gate for two days. Learned, and alhamdulillah.”

Matt Woodside — TIPI HAERE

• 25 September: “Double-reefed main and howling along. This is more like it.”
• 26 September: “Hove to in a 30-plus-knot south-southwesterly wind. All good. Taking a nap.”
• 27 September: “Not making much progress with this bloody south-southwesterly wind.”
• 28 September: “I feel like I am giving a masterclass in how not to sail from north to south.”

Mara Løvenskiold Kveseth — SHOWGIRL

• 25 September: “Sitting snug as a bug in a rug, waiting for the storm.”
• 25 September, later: “Storm prep checklist: secure loose items, reef sails, Taylor Swift ‘Reputation’ cassette on, karaoke on deck. I’m ready.”

Ertan Beskardes — MISS BEAGLE

• 28 September: “Soft winds after Gonzalo. Most of the boat dried, wet clothes off. Rested now. Would like the trades soon. All good. x”

Henry Wootton — PRIVATEER

• 25 September: “Updated storm track favourable to routing. Now across its path and turning south imminently. Boat is rampaging.”
• 26 September: “Best noon-to-noon yet at 173 nautical miles between positions. Plan worked well and am now riding downwind at about 6.5 knots. Now for the doldrums lottery… my chips look likely to go on 28–29°W.”
• 27 September: “Wind a far distant memory. Crawling south at the pace of a snail.”

Etienne Messikommer — BERNARD

• 26 September: “BERNARD: very not fun. Headwinds from the southwest. Hot, damp, uncomfortable. Misery. And I’m almost sure straight after: NO WIND.”
• 28 September: “BERNARD still upwind. Now getting light. Very challenging for the mind. Love to ELO.”

Damien Guillou — SOLAREM

• 25 September: “I’m sailing close-hauled with lots of squalls.”
• 26 September: “20–25 knots, close-hauled, but no more squalls. Maybe the ITCZ has passed.”
• 28 September: “THE SUN IS BACK. VERY GOOD CONDITIONS.”

Pat Lawless — SILVERMINES HYDRO

• 26 September: “Fresh and strong headwinds all night.”
• 27 September: “Three weeks at sea today. Still headwinds. It will change soon, I hope. HAVE A NICE SUNDAY.”
• 28 September: “Wonderful sailing. Close-hauled: genoa, staysail and full main. A few days like this would work. More easterly wind would be better for me.”

Daniel Pinsky — EXODUS

• 26 September: “SHABBAT SHALOM. From a lot of wind to no wind. Life, ha… beers are not cold anymore, but I will survive. Very sad for Selim.”
• 27 September: “NO WIND. Baking bread while getting baked myself. The question is: when will the wind return?!”

Guido Cantini — HANNAH OF COWES

• 27 September: “After hell and high water, cruisers’ paradise and ZERO wind!”

Louis Kerdelhué — IE CHARGE

• 25 September: “ALL GOOD. FINALLY SOME ACTION!”

ENDS