The Brazilian Navy has successfully rescued injured McIntyre Golden Globe Race (GGR) skipper Guy DeBoer who had been out of contact with race organisers aboard his yacht Spirit in the South Atlantic.
The American yachtsman was airlifted by helicopter from his yacht in a long-range rescue early on Sunday by Brazilian Navy corvette, Barroso (V34), which carries a Westland Super Lynx helicopter.
The 100-metre corvette, capable of 29 knots, sped to Spirit, around 870 miles east of Rio de Janeiro, overnight.
DeBoer had requested an immediate medical evacuation around 1600 UTC on Saturday, saying he could no longer use his left arm, stand or maintain his balance, and was unable to eat.
Golden Globe Race 2026 entrant Guy deBoer aboard his yacht Spirit, before the medical emergency that led to his request for evacuation in the South Atlantic on 7 November 2026. Credit: GGR2026
DeBoer’s condition deteriorates
His condition was suddenly deteriorating several days after a fall below deck on 2 November, where he struck his head and possibly lost consciousness.
Throughout the night, GGR Control remained in constant contact with the Navy doctor and MRCC Brazil, while also maintaining direct contact with Barroso to support the rescue operation.
GGR had been unable to establish contact with Guy overnight. As the wind shifted, Spirit appeared to be following the changing wind under windvane self-steering, turning north before heading east at around 0400 UTC.
Spirit had been sailing at 5.7 knots, away from Rio de Janeiro. The yacht’s track raised concerns that Guy might be asleep or unable to manage the yacht, although his condition could not be confirmed, the GGR said.
Prepare to evacuate
At 0700 UTC on Sunday, Guy called GGR control after several hours of silence. He sounded very groggy and at times incoherent, but said he was okay, confirmed he had received satellite telephone messages and understood that a helicopter was coming.
He subsequently lowered all sails and allowed Spirit to drift in preparation for its arrival. The wind was approximately 20–25 knots, and the sea state was 1.5–2 meters.
Race founder Don McIntyre had alerted Brazil's Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at 1620 UTC on Saturday, with an official request for urgent evacuation assistance submitted ten minutes later.
Following DeBoer’s direct request on Saturday, organisers advised him to activate his emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), keep his satellite telephone switched on and have his grab bag ready.
Satellite position reports were made more frequent to assist coordination.
Further updates are awaited, the GGR said. https://goldengloberace.com/