Johnson wins Globe 5.80 Transat

American sailor Jack Johnson (USA) has won the 2023 Globe 5.80 Transat crossing the Antigua finish line on December 29 just short of 34 days and 3,200 miles across the Atlantic aboard his home-built, 19-foot plywood Globe 5.80 Mini Class boat.

The second edition of the Globe 5.80 Transat started on November 25 from Lanzarote, Canary Islands. More so, Johnson is now the first skipper to qualify for the Mini Globe Race, the world’s first ever mini yacht race around the world scheduled to start from Antigua in February 2025.

“The challenge was great,” said the 51 year old, lifelong sailor. “It really made me happy. It sounds stupid, but the finishing is the best part of it, the completion of this achievement.”

The race across the Atlantic was packed with tricky lightwind conditions and even headwinds at times. Some skippers reported that they had to start rationing water and food and that the times of being fully becalmed had taken a big mental toll on them.

“The middle part [of the race] was really emotional for me, because it was just slow,” noted Johnson. “I even went in the wrong direction at times. That was hard. But once I started getting further down the course and especially getting the last position report [of where the competitors are], it straightened me out and I just felt great for the whole rest of the time.”

His lead was only once in danger, when lifelong friend and fellow boatbuilder Michael Moyer (USA) caught up and crossed his stern just five miles away – after sailing 2,500 miles across the Atlantic. But Johnson immediately pulled away for the win, with Moyer finishing nearly a day later.

Also finishing on December 30 is Keith Oliver (GBR) in third, with the final entrant – Ertan Beskardes (GBR) – expected to finish on December 31.

Details: https://globe580transat.com/the-race/