Mini Globe reaches Durban; Eric Marsh survives MOB

The solo sailors competing in home-built 5.8m yachts in Leg 3 of the McIntyre Mini Globe Race have successfully crossed the Indian Ocean to land in Durban, despite a man overboard, violent storms and the treacherous Agulhas current.

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Sailing from the last stopover in Mauritius to Durban and then on to the Leg 3 finish in Cape Town is by far the most challenging section of the entire circumnavigation, where the south-setting Agulhas current collides head-on with Southern Ocean storms.

Pilar Pasanau (Peter Punk / ESP) was the first to land in Durban, taking the lead from Renaud Stitelmann (Capucinette / CH) who had led the fleet for most of the race. Keri Harris (Origami / UK) was third. Solo skipper Eric Marsh (Sunbear / AUS) was swept overboard while racing from Fiji to Mauritius on 17 October. Marsh was tethered, and was able to haul himself back onto his small yacht.