Golden Globe Race skipper Guy deBoer has requested a medical evacuation from SPIRIT, five days after a fall aboard left him unable to stand or use his left arm. Brazilian rescue authorities are coordinating, roughly 850 miles east of Rio.
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Golden Globe Race skipper Guy deBoer has asked to be evacuated from his yacht SPIRIT in the South Atlantic, five days after a fall inside the cabin left him with symptoms that have since grown worse.
The American called race organisers by satellite phone shortly after 16:00 UTC on 7 November. He said he could no longer use his left arm, stand or keep his balance, and was unable to eat. GGR told him to activate his EPIRB, keep his satellite phone switched on and his grab bag close. Race founder Don McIntyre alerted Brazil’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at 16:20 UTC, and a formal request for urgent evacuation followed ten minutes later.
FRANÇAIS
Guy deBoer à bord de SPIRIT, son Tashiba 36, pendant la Golden Globe Race 2026. Le skipper américain a demandé une évacuation médicale durgence le 7 novembre, à la suite dune aggravation de son état de santé après une chute à bord. Crédit : GGR2026
The Tashiba 36 was roughly 850 nautical miles east of Rio de Janeiro, sailing slowly toward the city in light winds, with her tracker reporting more frequently to help coordinate the response. A Brazilian doctor was in contact with McIntyre by early evening, and deBoer’s medical file reached Brazilian authorities at 18:54 UTC. The Brazilian Navy corvette Barroso, which carries a helicopter, may be tasked to the rescue, though no evacuation plan had been confirmed as of that update.
deBoer fell on 2 November, hitting his head and possibly losing consciousness. Dr Spike Briggs of medical assistance service MSOS advised him to withdraw and head downwind for Punta del Este. deBoer reported some improvement on 4 November and hoped to stay in the race, but further balance problems followed, and on 5 November he turned for Rio.
His family had already contacted MRCC Brazil late on 6 November, before deBoer himself asked for help. GGR says its priority is his safety and supporting the Brazilian authorities with the information they need. Further updates will follow as they are confirmed.
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