Image: African Queen – Sigma 36 designed by David Thomas, built in 1980.

NEW SKIPPER ANNOUNCEMENT / ENTRY 28

GSC  are pleased to welcome German sailor Philipp Hympendahl to the Global Solo Challenge 2027–2028. With approximately 50,000 nautical miles under his belt, Philipp is returning to a dream that was interrupted in 2023, when unexpected problems with the boat he had purchased prevented him from starting the first edition. Rather than giving up, he bought the Sigma 36 African Queen, which he is now refitting for the challenge.

 

Philipp has an extensive background in offshore sailing and adventure, including ocean passages across the Pacific and Atlantic, participation in the Lapita Voyage Expedition and demanding endurance cycling events. In August 2026, he successfully completed his solo, non-stop qualifying passage around Britain and Ireland, covering more than 2,000 nautical miles and marking an important milestone in his preparations.

 

“Philipp’s entry has a special significance. When I created the Global Solo Challenge, I wanted to establish an event that would be open to the kind of boats I had sailed throughout my own life. In 2009, I took part in the OSTAR aboard British Beagle, a Sigma 36, and later competed in several events on a Class40. My vision was to bring together sailors on very different boats, from traditional offshore cruisers to modern racing yachts, sharing the same extraordinary challenge of sailing solo around the world. Seeing Philipp enter the GSC aboard a Sigma 36 makes that original vision a reality.”

— Marco Nannini, founder and organiser of the Global Solo Challenge

 

A Sigma 36 not to be underestimated
Built in 1980 and designed by David Thomas, African Queen shares the qualities for which Sigma yachts are renowned: solid construction and good upwind performance, particularly in heavy weather, where they can be remarkably competitive on handicap. Given the staggered-start format of the Global Solo Challenge, Philipp’s African Queen is certainly a boat not to be underestimated.

 

We are delighted to welcome Philipp back to the Global Solo Challenge and look forward to seeing African Queen in Vigo in 2027, ready to take on the three great capes.

Click here to read Philipp's full story and interview on the GSC webite
 
GSC 2027–2028 entries
All 28 announced entrants, including projects subsequently retired or moved to 2031.

Skipper    Boat    Nat.
01. Chris Stanmore-Major    Maxi 80    GBR
02. Peter Bourke    Open 40    USA
03. Jonathan Massingill    RETIRED    USA
04. Marek Lipinski    MOVED to 2031    POL
05. Piotr Czarniecki    MOVED to 2031    POL
06. Jérôme Delire    Class40 #109    BEL
07. Brian Gray    Class40 #75    USA
08. Sam Glover    MOVED to 2031    GBR
09. Fraser Flight    Class40 #19    GBR/ZWE
10. Marcello Queirolo    Elan 37    ITA
11. Sylvain Canet    RETIRED    FRA
12. Dealtry Pickford    Class40 #OCD    ZAF
13. Ivan Dimov    Endurance 37    BGR
14. Pablo Gonzalez Parodi    Class40 #106    URY/USA
15. Ronnie Simpson    Class40 #15    USA
16. Juan Merediz    Class40 #69    ESP
17. Christophe Bogrand    Tocade 50    FRA
18. Ross Hubbard    RETIRED    USA
19. Lloyd Davey    Borealis    GBR
20. Michal Krysta    Class40 #141    CZE
21. Hiroki Nakayama    Class40 #52    JPN
22. Noa Hopper    Koopmans 41    USA
23. Ari Känsäkoski    Class40 #38    FIN
24. Tim Kent    Class40 #34    USA
25. Karl Smith    Class40 #147    IRL
26. Daniel Kriz    Nelson/Marek 43    CZE
27. Nicolas Manthos    Class40 #30    GER
28. Philipp Hympendahl    Sigma 36    GER
 

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