Tracker Day 47⚠️ 95-KNOT STORM THREAT! GGR Fleet Heads North as Damien Faces Southern Ocean Monster

⚠️ A HUGE Southern Ocean weather system is developing — and the GGR fleet is preparing for its first major storm encounter. Earlier forecasts showed extreme conditions with gusts reaching 90–95 knots, sustained winds above 60 knots and seas potentially building to 8–9 metres. The latest forecast has eased somewhat — but this system remains enormous, stretching across thousands of miles of the South Atlantic. GGR has now advised much of the fleet: ⬆️ STAY NORTH OF 28° SOUTH The aim is to keep the sailors away from the worst of the rotating low-pressure system as it develops over the coming days. 🏆 DAMIEN GUILLOU Damien is currently sailing northeast in much better conditions — around 15–20 knots of wind, making approximately 5.7 knots. But the serious weather is still ahead. His goal is to continue north and east, gaining as much distance as possible before the system intensifies. Damien’s shore team is also preparing specialist storm-routing advice, which GGR can relay to him under the race’s safety procedures. 🌪️ WHY THIS SYSTEM IS SO SERIOUS The dangerous part is not simply strong wind. Forecasts show the possibility of: 💨 50–60+ knot winds ⚡ Extreme gusts 🌊 8–9 metre seas 🔄 A rapid shift from strong northerlies to southwesterlies 🌪️ A potentially dangerous rotating core That sudden wind shift can create an extremely confused and violent sea. The good news? The most extreme forecast has already reduced from around 95 knots to closer to 80 knots in some model runs. But the situation is still changing constantly. 🌍 AROUND THE FLEET 🔥 Ertan — around 5.2kts and already near the safer latitude ⚔️ Andrea — 5.9kts, slightly south of 28°S and advised to head north ⛵ Daniel — 4.6kts / 116nm 🎸 Mara — 4.2kts / 80nm 😩 Etienne — almost becalmed at 0.5kts / 44nm 🌊 Guido — 4kts, beating into headwinds 💨 Henry — only 2kts in very light wind 🇸🇪 Pär — 3.8kts / 80nm 🧭 Gunnar — lost valuable westing compared with Pär ⛵ Isa — beating slowly after rounding Trindade 😎 Matt — around 3.4kts 🙏 Louis — only around 95–100nm from Recife, sailing at 6.4kts 🌍 Guy deBoer — 4.6kts / 113nm, turning toward Trindade Louis could reach Recife around Saturday morning, weather and speed permitting. 🌪️ THE SOUTHERN OCEAN HAS ARRIVED This is exactly the kind of system the sailors have been preparing for. Strong northwesterlies ahead of the front. A violent transition. Then strong southwesterlies behind. And possibly another low developing immediately afterwards. Welcome to the Southern Ocean. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 01:12 – Welcome from Lagos, Portugal 02:07 – Major GGR storm developing 03:47 – ⚠️ Fleet advised to stay north of 28°S 04:04 – 95-knot gust forecast 05:26 – Damien’s position 05:36 – Damien heading northeast 06:22 – Specialist routing for Damien 08:39 – Andrea near 28°S 09:33 – Daniel & Mara 09:59 – Etienne becalmed 10:22 – Guido & Henry 10:53 – Pär making ground 11:19 – Gunnar loses westing 11:36 – Isa after Trindade 12:13 – Louis closing on Recife 13:16 – Guy heading for Trindade 13:37 – 🌪️ FULL STORM ANALYSIS 15:47 – Forecast winds strengthening 16:43 – System stretches 2,500 miles 17:27 – Timing for Damien 18:11 – Why 28°S matters 19:16 – Dangerous rotating core 19:31 – 50–55kt northerlies 19:43 – Sudden shift to southwest 20:25 – Storm passes quickly 21:01 – Another system behind 25:49 – 90–95kt forecast drops 27:14 – Why fleet is being kept north 28:03 – 12kt wind… 45kt gusts! 32:08 – Weather in the 1968 GGR 33:34 – Why GGR still teaches old-school weather skills 35:00 – Storm-routing rules explained 36:22 – Lessons from 2018 & 2022 storms 41:06 – Window LIVE during the storm 42:14 – Written updates for YouTube? 43:32 – Radar reflectors explained 54:34 – How Damien receives routing advice 58:47 – Closing The forecast is changing. The sailors are moving. And the next few days could become some of the most important of GGR 2026 so far. Same race. Same ocean. Completely different stories. 👍 LIKE 💬 COMMENT 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for daily Golden Globe Race tracker updates #GGR2026 #GoldenGlobeRace #DamienGuillou #SouthernOcean #Storm #SoloSailing #OceanRacing