Global Solo Challenge: New starting harbour for the solo circumnavigators and first entries

The solo non-stop circumnavigation is around 26,000 nautical miles long and leads past the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin in Australia and Cape Horn. The Global Solo Challenge 2023/2024, which Cole Brauer finished in second place, led around the world from A Coruña, which is located a little further north on the Spanish Atlantic coast.

Start of circumnavigation to be made easier

Commenting on the decision, organiser Marco Nannini said that the new starting port was an important milestone in the development of the Global Solo Challenge following the success of the first edition. The regatta had attracted a huge following, especially online, and interest from around the world. The move to Vigo now offers the opportunity to forge a closer connection with the host city and the community, as well as achieving greater personal involvement from the public.

This is because the naturally sheltered waters of the Ría de Vigo, which are surrounded by the Islas de Cìes, are an ideal place for setting off and arriving in all weather conditions. In addition, Vigo is already south of the difficult waters around Cape Finisterre with its busy shipping lanes and notorious wind acceleration, which reduces the dangers for sailors in the tricky initial and final phases of their journey.

Which skippers are taking part?

Even though the next start is still over three years away, there are already seven entries from international sailors for the Global Solo Challenge 2027/28. The most recent entry is American skipper Brian Gray. The eighth starter will be announced shortly, says Nannini.

"We assume that many more participants will be added in the coming months, as it will be more than three years before the first boat sails," says the organiser.

Have reported so far:

• Chris Stanmore-Major from Great Britain with the Open 60 "#Visit Canada"
• Peter Bourke from the USA with the Open 40 "Imagine"
• Jonathan Massingill from the USA, boat still unknown
• Marek Lipinski from Poland with the Taling 32 "Kowalski"
• Piotr Czarniecki from Poland with the atom "Pasja 10"
• Jérôme Delire from Belgium with the Class 40 "MASAÏ"
• Brian Gray with the Pogo 44 "Humble Pi"

The registration process for the 2027 edition requires a higher initial financial commitment than for the 2023 edition, in which several registrations were withdrawn. This time, the aim is for the provisional list of participants to largely match the actual start list.

The aim of the Global Solo Challenge is to allow the event to grow organically and to increase the number of participants from the 16 skippers who took part in the first edition.

More articles on this topic:

• Global Solo Challenge: 70-year-old completes remarkable round-the-world voyage
• Global Solo Challenge: Instagram star Cole Brauer crosses the finish line
• Global Solo Challenge: Hympendahl wants to go around the world single-handed