Norwegian sailor Mara Løvenskiold Kveseth has withdrawn from the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race, pulling out of her solo circumnavigation after being hit with penalties, including two suspended disqualifications, for repeated breaches of the race's media and communications rules.
An investigation by the GGR organisation found that Løvenskiold Kveseth's shore-based management and media team had breached the Notice of Race, the Window Live Code of Conduct, and Starlink usage regulations aboard her yacht Showgirl. The breaches included unauthorised publication of restricted onboard footage, repeated breaches of permitted media limits, and unauthorised use of the Starlink system to transmit private footage and logistics messages to her shore team.
Two of the breaches warranted disqualification, GGR said, but both were suspended to allow Løvenskiold Kveseth to continue her voyage. Other penalties included permanent removal from the Window Live system and reinstatement of a previously suspended six-day time penalty, bringing her total penalty to 16 days, to be served in the North Atlantic while sailing north towards Les Sables-d'Olonne.
On 6 November, Løvenskiold Kveseth and her management team were given 24 hours to respond to the findings before GGR finalised its decision. She formally resigned from the race on 7 November.
"This was unfortunate," the GGR organisation said. "Everyone enjoyed having Mara as an entrant in the 2026 McIntyre GGR and the GGR team supported her entry with great enthusiasm. Mara is a competent sailor with a well-prepared boat, sailing well in the GGR. Under the Notice of Race, we have a responsibility to act fairly and consistently towards all entrants, while fulfilling our responsibilities as organiser and owner of the Golden Globe Race. Upholding the integrity of the race is critical. We wish Mara all the best with her continued voyage and future adventures."
Her withdrawal lands at a turbulent moment for the fleet, which is also absorbing the dramatic rescue of Guy deBoer, airlifted to safety by the Brazilian Navy after a fall left him unable to walk or use his arm.
That drama played out roughly 870 nautical miles east of Rio de Janeiro. Further south, the race at the front continues unaffected, with Damien Guillou's Solarem holding a commanding lead over Ertan Beskardes's Miss Beagle as the fleet works through the South Atlantic.
