NATIONAL SAILING ACADEMY

• Antigua’s first ever around the world yacht race starts Sunday 23rd February from inside Falmouth harbour.
• 15 solo sailors from 8 countries plan to race 19ft home-made plywood yachts around the world.
• World first event- never attempted before- 26000 miles – returning March 2026.
• Groups of local school children invited to sail the ALMA Globe 580 Mini Yachts before departure.
• Open invitation to visit the yachts and meet the skippers on the National Sailing Academy dock.
• Press Conference 20th FEB - 11am- Entrant interviews - photo opportunity- at the National Sailing Academy

On Feb. 23rd at 11.30am 15 solo sailors will set off from Falmouth Harbour in home built 19ft-5.8 metre plywood yachts to race 26000 miles around the world. They will not return to Antigua until March of 2026! This is the first time Antigua has ever hosted an around the world yacht race and this one is sure to attract the attention of people around the Globe.

This world first event, never attempted in mini yachts is hosted by the National Sailing Academy where all entrants are presently moored for final preparations, safety checks and briefings.

The National Sailing Academy dock in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua, serves as the host for the fleet of ALMA Globe 580 yachts participating in the McIntyre MGR and Transat. Credit: Rob Havill / G580T/ MGR2025

These adventurous men and women representing 8 countries arrived last week after racing 3000 miles solo across the Atlantic in the third edition of the Globe 580 Transat (also hosted by the National Sailing Academy) from Marina Rubicon in the Canaries to Antigua as part of their qualifying requirements to enter the Mini Globe Race.  

The McIntyre Mini Globe is organised by Australian adventurer and solo sailor Don McIntyre who also organises two other circumnavigating events, the well-known solo Golden Globe Race starting from Les Sables d’Olonne in France and the crewed Ocean Globe Race starting from the UK.

This challenge and adventure is extreme and sure to deliver many dramatic emotional and amazing stories, while the passion and enthusiasm of the crews for this huge challenge is nothing short of remarkable. After years of building their boats in backyards and garages around the world, then preparing themselves and their tiny yachts, they are all eager to get underway. Living for over a year in a plywood box, facing all the oceans of the world is a life defining challenge.