Good Jibes #188: Josh Kali on Leg 1 of the McIntyre Mini Globe Race + Race Update
In this week’s Good Jibes we chat with returning guest Josh Kali to hear stories from Leg 1 of the McIntyre Mini Globe Race 2025. But first …
A quick update on the race: The fleet of 19-ft ocean racers is making good time, having crossed the halfway point from Panama to the Marquesas, where they will make a stop for eight days. Next they push to the leg finish in Fiji after another stop in Papeete and Tonga. The original 15-strong fleet is now down to 13 racing and two others, father and son, following as cruisers heading across the Pacific back home to Australia.
The fleet struggled in light airs to get south of the Galápagos and into the trades, but they’re now making good time west. The leader, Renaud Stitelman on Capucinette, made 125 miles in the last 24 hours on his 19-ft boat! It’s a far better pace than during the first couple of weeks.
Our Good Jibes guest, Josh Kali on Skookum, is currently in 12th place and has made 115 miles in the last 24 hours. The fleet anticipates reaching the Marquesas in approximately 45–55 days from their March 25 Panama departure, aiming for an eight-day rest before continuing their circumnavigation.
And now for this week’s podcast. Tune in as Good Jibes host John Arndt chats with Josh Kali about his first leg of the McIntyre Mini Globe Race 2025. Josh is a mountain climber, sailor, and professional marine technician. He built Skookum over the past 2.5 years and has sailed her from North Carolina to Antigua to Panama, and is now headed across the Pacific!
Here’s a sample of what you’ll hear in this episode:
- How does it feel to sail a 19-ft plywood boat?
- How is the transition from mountain climbing to sailing?
- Ways to strategize the route
- Do competitors choose where to stop and for how long at each pit stop?
- How are Josh and his boat doing?
- How does he keep morale up during a long voyage?
- How is the camaraderie among competitors?
- How does he pack food and water when away from land for so long?
- What are the perks of racing on a little boat?
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast spots — follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re feeling the Good Jibes!
Catch our previous Good Jibes episode with Josh here.
Sponsor Josh at JoshKaliOceanRacing.com and learn more about Josh in Latitude 38’s April issue.
For real-time race updates and tracking, visit the Mini Globe Race.