Mini Globe Race Campaign for Dan Turk - Canadian Solo Sailor

Local Thunder Bay Sailor, Dan Turk, is about to embark on an an adventure of a lifetime. Dan will be competing, as the only Canadian, in the Class Globe 5.80 Transat and Mini Globe Race 2025. The Transat is a 3600 nautical mile qualifier this December from Lagos, Portugal to Antigua. Following the completion of the Transat, the Mini Globe Race will commence starting in Antigua and continuing on for 23 500 miles around the world, solo, with 4 legs.

In 2020 Dan bought the building plans number 20, and was the first person to Hand Build and launch the 5.80 meter Class Globe sailboat he named Little Bea, all done within his country home garage. The boat was the first hand built 580 to launch in August 2021, and on our coveted shores of Lake Superior no less.

The boat now patiently awaits his arrival this November in Portimao, Portugal, to which he sailed to last summer from Halifax, Canada as a "test run".

In order to compete in and complete the Transat and Mini Globe Race we are hoping to raise the funds necessary for a safe and fun journey that will represent Thunder Bay, and Canada.

With your assistance we aim to acquire some important pieces of safety gear and overall race assistance such as:

All donors will have their names written inside the cabin of Little Bea. Anyone who donates $100 or more will have their name and/or tag and decal directly in the cockpit as a companion for the journey.

The Transat and Mini Globe Race will consist of 4 major legs with 11 potential stopovers. Beyond the thrill of the race, Dan has a deeper purpose. In 2021, he founded Sailing into S.T.E.M., a not-for-profit corporation. This innovative venture seeks to engage underrepresented and at-risk youth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (S.T.E.M.) subjects. Utilizing the proven business model, Dan will connect with youth at the 11 race stopover ports, inspiring the next generation through the lens of sailing and exploration. Dan Turk's journey is not just personal but a voyage of inspiration and education, blending his love for sailing with a commitment to empowering the minds of tomorrow.

The Mini Globe Race details are as follows:

Globe 5.80 Transat: Lagos to Antigua 3,000 mile Qualifier

Leg 1: START Antigua to Panama 1,300 miles – Total 1,300 miles

Leg 2: Panama to any islands – 8-day pit stop – Tahiti 4,400 miles – 7-day pit stop – to Tonga 1,300 miles – 8-day pit stop – to Fiji 600 miles 21 days – Total 6,400 miles

Leg 3: Fiji to Darwin 3,000 miles – 8-day pit stop – to Mauritius 4,300 miles – 10-day pitstop – to Durban plus 2 = 14 days pitstops to Cape Town 2,400 miles 21 – Total 9,700 miles

Leg 4: Cape Town to St. Helena 1,900 miles – 8-day pit stop – to Recife 2,400 miles – 8-day pit stop – to Antigua 1,600 miles FINISH – Total 5,900 miles

Please see this video by Don McIntyre from McIntyre Adventure to learn more about the Class Globe 5.80

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40vnCPwajzE&t=8s