Global Solo Challenge

Last updated
Global Solo Challenge
Typesingle-handed non-stop round-the-world yacht race
Start Vigo, Galicia, Spain
Finish Vigo, Galicia, Spain
Length26,000 nmi (48,000 km)
Website globalsolochallenge.com

The Global Solo Challenge is a single-handed (solo) non-stop round the world yacht race. The race was founded by Marco Nannini. The Second edition will be 2027-2028, starting and finishing in Vigo, Galicia, Spain.

Contents

History

The race was founded by Marco Nannini, and first ran beginning on September 30, 2023. Nannini is a sailor, writer and consultant in marketing and communication with a financial background. After a career in banking in the City of London he decided to take part in the Global Ocean Race 2011/2012 taking second place overall. [1]

The race

The race was designed with the intent that budget alone would not be a deciding factor in how well each boat does. Each boat's departures date is set according to the boat's performance characteristics. Slower boats start earlier than faster boats. The faster boats then have to try to catch up with the slower boats. Once at sea, there are no classes. The first boat to cross the finish line wins. [2]

During the race, boats may anchor, but outside assistance is restricted. Time penalties are imposed for infractions. [3]

Making way under engine is not permitted except for emergency situations. The organizer may apply a time penalty if it is deemed that the participant has gained an unfair advantage as a result of using its motor. [3]

All boats are monitored using satellite trackers. [3]

External weather routing is permitted. [3]

Yachts

The race is open to monohull yachts with LOA greater than 32 ft, including one-off open designs and other racing boats such as Class40, Open 50 and IMOCA 60. Boats not meeting this criterion may still apply and may be accepted at the sole discretion of the Organizer. [3]

Course

The course is essentially a circumnavigation along the clipper route: from Vigo, Galicia, Spain, down the Atlantic Ocean to the Cape of Good Hope; then clockwise around Antarctica, keeping Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn to port; then back to Vigo. There is an exclusion zone set around Antarctica where competitors are prohibited to sail due to risk of ice-bergs. [3]

A circumnavigation by the three great capes is approximately 26,000 Nautical Miles long, and runs from August to the following August, timed to place the competitors in the Southern Ocean during the austral summer. [3]

Qualification

Skippers must be 18 years of age or older by departure date and are required to have taken medical and survival courses within 18 months of departure. [3]

All skippers must have sailed a minimum qualification passage of 2,000 nautical miles single-handed and non-stop on the boat entered in the event by a passage route approved by the Organizer. [3]

Results

1st Edition, starting and finishing at A Coruña, Spain: 2023-2024 [4]
Pos.Boat nameSkipperStart TimeFinishElapsed timeDistance sailed (NM)Cause for retiring
1MowgliFlag of France.svg  Philippe Delamare  [ fr ] (FRA)2023-09-30-13:002024-02-24-14:03147d 01h 03m26,522
2First LightFlag of the United States.svg  Cole Brauer  (USA)2023-10-29-04:382024-03-07-07:23130d 02h 45m27,759
3Vento di SardegnaFlag of Italy.svg  Andrea Mura  (ITA)2023-11-18-13:002024-03-17-15:44120d 02h 44m27,146
4ObportusFlag of Italy.svg Riccardo Tosetto (ITA)2023-10-29-08:002024-03-30-08:04153d 00h 04m28,792
5Kawan 3 - UnicancerFlag of France.svg François Gouin (FRA)2023-10-29-09:252024-04-04-11:09158d 01h 44m27,881
6Koloa MaoliFlag of the United States.svg David Linger (USA)2023-10-29-09:452024-04-21-12:03175d 2h 18m27,040
7Le Souffle de la Mer IIIFlag of France.svg Louis Robein (FRA)2023-09-30-09:002024-07-03-14:32277d 5h 32m29,825
8AspraFlag of Italy.svg Alessandro Tosetti (ITA)2023-10-29-08:1317,850Rigging problems
9Roaring FortyFlag of Australia (converted).svg Kevin Le Poidevin (AUS)2023-11-23-12:3013,060Late for Cape Horn
10PhoenixFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg William MacBrien (CAN)2023-10-21-13:0018,524Collision, flooded, rescued
11Shipyard BrewingFlag of the United States.svg Ronnie Simpson (USA)2023-10-29-08:0221,250Dismasted, rescued
12Espresso MartiniFlag of Bulgaria.svg Pavlin Nadvorni (BUL)2023-10-21-13:0014,690Medical
13SolarWindFlag of Belgium (civil).svg Édouard De Keyser (BEL)2023-09-17-13:0013,780Rudder failure
14ZEROchallengeFlag of Finland.svg Ari Känsäkoski (FIN)2023-10-21-13:0011,460Dismasted
15BendigedigFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg Dafydd Hughes (WAL)2023-08-26-13:0013,084 Autopilot issues
16SorollaFlag of Spain.svg Juan Merediz (SPA)2023-10-29-07:561,408Autopilot issues

See also

Notable around the world races
Former races including

References

  1. "Marco Nannini". Yacht Racing Forum. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  2. "What is the Global Solo Challenge?". Global Solo Challenge website. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Global Solo Challenge 2027-28 Notice of Event". Global Solo Challenge website. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  4. Global Solo Challenge. "Global Solo Challenge 2023-2024 Results" . Retrieved 31 August 2024.