Pen Duick VI celebrate as they pass the infamous Cape Horn

As Maiden and Spirit of Helsinki round Cape Horn in the last few hours, Pen Duick VI and Translated 9 are racing neck and neck in the MCINTYRE OCEAN GLOBE just west of the Falkland Islands.

They are only 12 miles apart with 1,000 miles to the finish of leg three at the Yacht Club Punta de Este, Uruguay. Pen Duick VI is just ahead of Translated 9 who has nearly a three day lead on the IRC handicap. They are expected to arrive around the 14th February.

The renowned 73-foot Bermudan Ketch, Pen Duick VI FR (14) skippered by the equally legendary Marie Tabarly, rounded the notorious Cape Horn at 04:51 UTC, 6th February. For Tabarly and her eleven crew, it's a momentous achievement. But, no doubt, being head of the OGR fleet past Cape Horn makes the experience even sweeter for the super-competitive skipper.  

The days approaching Cape Horn brought 35-knot winds, gusting to 55, 6-8 metre seas, a confused sea state, with 2-metre secondary swells, it's just what Pen Duick VI, and Tabarly, had been craving – a challenge. Consistent average speeds of over 10.5 knots heading to Cape Horn were normal, with 240 nm a day ticked off the chart – nothing unusual. In fact, just prior to the final approach, Pen Duick VI recorded a boat new speed record of 28.3kn!!