The Global Solo Challenge (GSC), the unique around-the-world, non-stop, solo sailing event has announced the start dates for all participants. A thrilling mix of individuals and boats will commence their solo circumnavigation from A Coruña, Spain, between August 26, 2023, and January 6, 2024, embarking on a journey that promises to be as challenging as it is thrilling.
The GSC has been designed to provide sailors with an affordable and well-organised event, which prizes safety above all else. The challenge draws in a wide range of boats and participants, including solo sailors keen to test their mettle and display their competitive edge. It offers a unique, exhilarating spectacle for audiences worldwide, as well as an opportunity for sailors to test their skills.
The event format sees the boats grouped by performance characteristics and released in successive departures over several months, from August 26 to January 6. The aim is to create an engaging and dramatic competition where all entrants stand a fair chance of victory, with the first boat to cross the finish line declared the winner. The excitement lies in the pursuit: faster boats will attempt to catch up with slower ones, offering nail-biting suspense until the very end.
The Global Solo Challenge is open to a broad spectrum of vessels, from 32ft classic long keel cruisers to more contemporary cruiser/racers, including one-off open designs and racing boats such as Class40s, Open 50s, and Open 60s. To create a spirit of inclusivity and respect for the environment, the organizers of the event have discouraged the construction of boats specifically for the event.
Image: Ronnie Simpson @SparrowRacing