Class40 yachts raced from Sydney to Valparaíso, with two leaders near each other, one team withdrawing after damage, as harsh conditions worsened.

The GLOBE40's fourth leg began January 1, 2026, from Sydney, with Class40 yachts racing toward Valparaíso, Chile, navigating toward the Roaring Forties. Leaders CURIUM and CREDIT MUTUEL remained within 0.4 miles of each other after covering 750 nautical miles at about 11 knots, though the direct route is shorter. One team, FREE DOM, withdrew after hitting an unidentified floating object, damaging a rudder and causing a leak; the crew handled the emergency and returned to Sydney. The remaining fleet faces worsening conditions, including stronger winds, colder temperatures, and rougher seas as they approach southern latitudes near New Zealand. The 6,400-mile leg surpasses the flight distance between Asia and Chile, testing crews' endurance.