Prize giving of the 2023–2024 edition and the presentation of the 2027–2028 edition
Image: Francois Gouin - Kawan3 Unicancer @globalsolochallenge
Text: Marco Nannini
On Saturday 28 February, the Global Solo Challenge gathered at the Real Club Náutico de Vigo for a public event marking two moments in the life of the race: the closing ceremony and prize giving of the 2023–2024 edition and the presentation of the 2027–2028 edition, which will start and finish in Vigo.
The Global Solo Challenge is a solo, non-stop circumnavigation via the three great capes, sailed on existing boats adapted for the purpose rather than new builds, and structured around a staggered departure format that allows very different yachts to compete together: after the start, the first boat home wins. The concept was developed with accessibility and sustainability in mind, lowering financial barriers while maintaining the competitive side of the challenge.
The organisers express their gratitude to the Real Club Náutico de Vigo and its President, Tone Pérez Castro, for hosting the event and supporting the relocation of the start and finish to Vigo. The Rías Baixas, protected by the Cíes Islands, offer a natural and spectator-friendly race area that strengthens the long-term development of the event.
Miguel Barros, representing the Capítulo de Galicia of the Cofradía Europea de la Vela, welcomed attending skippers as Friends of the Cofradía.
The ceremony was presented by Juan Caballero, a renowned journalist and sailing photographer based in Vigo.
Celebrating the 2023–2024 Edition
The inaugural edition brought together 20 entries, 16 starters and 7 finishers representing nine nationalities. None of the starters had previously completed a solo non-stop circumnavigation via the three great capes. Over approximately 25,000 miles, the fleet faced dismastings, autopilot failures, medical issues, rescues and weather systems typical of the Southern Ocean.
Seven skippers completed their solo circumnavigation and returned safely to Galicia; only five managed to do so without the need for any technical stops. Others were forced to retire after significant ocean miles and complex technical challenges. The event in Vigo will formally recognise both finishers and retired entrants, acknowledging that a round-the-world project represents years of preparation regardless of the final ranking.
The Chairman of the International Association of Cape Horners, Archie Fairley, attended to honour those Global Solo Challenge competitors who have graduated as Cape Horners and solo circumnavigators.
Presenting the 2027–2028 Edition
The second edition of the Global Solo Challenge is already taking shape. To date, 23 skippers representing 14 nationalities across five continents have entered the 2027–2028 edition of the race, with more than a dozen additional skippers working in the background and planning to take on the challenge.
The event is a great opportunity for entrants in the next edition to meet former participants, discuss preparations and receive invaluable advice. One of the founding aspects of the event is the strong camaraderie that exists among skippers, who often become friends for life through sharing such an extraordinary adventure.
The fleet once again reflects the diversity of the format: from modern Class40s and Open designs to aluminium blue-water cruisers and smaller production yachts. Several skippers from the first edition are returning to complete unfinished campaigns, underlining the continuity of the project.
By presenting the next edition alongside the celebration of the first, the event in Vigo creates a direct link between those who have just returned from sea and those preparing to depart.
Global Solo Challenge 2023–2024 skippers attending the event: Philippe Delamare (FRA), Andrea Mura (ITA), Riccardo Tosetto (ITA), François Gouin (FRA), David Linger (USA), Louis Robein (FRA), Juan Merediz (ESP), Ari Känsäkoski (FIN), Dafydd Hughes (GBR), Alessandro Tosetti (ITA), Ronnie Simpson (USA).
Global Solo Challenge 2027–2028 entries attending the event: Juan Merediz (ESP), Ronnie Simpson (USA), Ivan Dimov (BGR), Lloyd Davey (GBR), Sylvain Canet (FRA), Marcello Queirolo (ITA), Jerome Delire (FRA), Pablo Gonzalez Parodi (URY), Michal Krysta (CZE), Hiroki Nakayama (JPN).
GSC 2023 Results
Rank Boat Skipper Status Finish
1 Mowgli Philippe Delamare Finished 24/02/24 14.03
2 First Light Cole Brauer Finished 07/03/24 07.23
3 Vento di Sardegna Andrea Mura Finished 17/03/24 15.44
4 Obportus Riccardo Tosetto Finished 30/03/24 08.04
5 Kawan 3 - Unicancer François Gouin Finished 04/04/24 11.09
6 Koloa Maoli David Linger Finished 21/04/24 12.03
7 Le Souffle de la Mer III Louis Robein Finished 03/07/24 14.32
8 Aspra Alessandro Tosetti Retired Rigging problems
9 Roaring Forty Kevin Le Poidevin Retired Late for Cape Horn
10 Phoenix William MacBrien Retired Collision, flooded, rescued
11 Shipyard Brewing Ronnie Simpson Retired Dismasted, rescued
12 Espresso Martini Pavlin Nadvorni Retired Medical
13 SolarWind Édouard De Keyser Retired Rudder failure
14 ZEROchallenge Ari Känsäkoski Retired Dismasted
15 Bendigedig Dafydd Hughes Retired Autopilot issues
16 Sorolla Juan Merediz Retired Autopilot issues
17 6 Lazy K Curt Morlock DNS Did not start
18 Iris Blue Ivan Dimov DNS Did not start
19 Imagine Peter Bourke DNS Did not start
20 Black Betty Volkan Kaan Yemlihaoğlu DNS Did not start
GSC 2027 Entries
Skipper Boat Name Boat Nat. Start
01. Chris Stanmore-Major #Visit Canada Open 60 GBR tba
02. Peter Bourke Imagine Open 40 USA tba
03. Jonathan Massingill tba (Class40) USA tba
04. Marek Lipinski Kowalski Taling 32 POL tba
05. Piotr Czarniecki Atom Pasja 10 POL tba
06. Jérôme Delire MASAÏ Class40 #109 BEL tba
07. Brian Gray Kawan 3 Class40 #75 USA tba
08. Sam Glover tba (Class40) GBR tba
09. Fraser Flight Shamwari Class40 #18 GBR/ZWE tba
10. Marcello Queirolo IAIAI Elan 37 ITA tba
11. Sylvain Canet Wild Boréal 44.2 FRA tba
12. Dealtry Pickford Metric 4t Class40 #OCD ZAF tba
13. Ivan Dimov Blue Ibis Endurance 37 BGR tba
14. Pablo Gonzalez Parodi Gryphon Class40 #106 URY/USA tba
15. Ronnie Simpson Koloa Maoli Class40 #15 USA tba
16. Juan Merediz Waypoint Class40 #69 ESP tba
17. Christophe Bogrand Sterec Bleu Tocade 50 FRA tba
18. Ross Hubbard Sea Bear Panda 38 USA tba
19. Lloyd Davey Taqua II Borealis GBR tba
20. Michal Krysta tba (Class40) CZE tba
21. Hiroki Nakayama tba (Class40) JPN tba
22. Noa Hopper Penelope Koopmans 41 USA tba