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Starlink Communications at the Heart of the Dispute
Departed from Les Sables-d'Olonne aboard Showgirl , Mara Løvenskiold Kveseth had been running a race that had her among the top five competitors up to that point.
But on November 7, the sailor announced her withdrawal from the Golden Globe Race, following an investigation by the organization into communications between her boat and her shore crew.
According to the report released on November 8, several violations of the regulations were found. The most serious one involves the use of the onboard Starlink system to transmit video files and logistical messages to his team.
The Golden Globe Race imposes particularly strict restrictions on external communications. While it allows certain modern devices for safety and official communications, their use is strictly regulated to preserve the principle of a race contested using traditional navigation methods.
The organization estimates that transmissions made from Showgirl exceeded the permitted limits.
Videos posted in violation of the rules
The investigation also covers the communication efforts carried out onshore.
In particular, the regulations authorize the reuse of four video clips of up to 45 seconds each and a five-minute weekly summary, using footage previously broadcast on the official Window Live platform.
However, Mara's team reportedly released a 90-second video and a summary lasting more than ten minutes. Even more problematic for the organization was that some of the footage came directly from onboard cameras and had never been officially released.
In its report dated November 9, race officials noted that 865 video files were transmitted and published without authorization.
The organization considers these practices to be in violation of the broadcasting rules and communication restrictions imposed on competitors.
Two suspended disqualifications and a 16-day penalty
Following its investigation, race officials cited two grounds for disqualification: the unauthorized use of Starlink and behavior deemed detrimental to the event's reputation.
However, both of these penalties were suspended. Mara could therefore officially remain in the race, provided she complied with the rules from that point on.
However, other penalties were to be imposed: his exclusion from the Windows Live program and a total penalty of 16 days, to be served during the northward leg of the North Atlantic crossing.
On November 6, the sailor and her team were given 24 hours to submit their comments. The next day, Mara announced her withdrawal.
This is therefore not an immediate expulsion, but a voluntary departure that occurred after the notification of significant sanctions.
A round-the-world voyage that must continue outside the rankings
However, Mara Løvenskiold Kveseth has no plans to stop sailing. According to reports published by several specialized media outlets, she intends to continue her solo round-the-world voyage outside the competitive framework of the Golden Globe Race.
This case raises a specific question for a race based on technological restrictions: How can skippers' modern communication methods be reconciled with the rules of a race that aims to limit communication with shore?
For the organizers, compliance with these restrictions is essential to ensuring fairness among competitors. As for the sailor, the specific reasons for her refusal to accept the penalties have yet to be documented.
The Golden Globe Race is now underway, with ten competitors still in the race out of the sixteen who set sail from Les Sables-d'Olonne.
