Global Solo Challenge: the biggest challenge

29/11/2021

What is the biggest challenge in a single-handed circumnavigation?

Preparing boat and skipper for a non-stop single-handed circumnavigation by the three great capes is no easy task.

Many are the challenges during preparation, financial, practical, as well as during the navigation itself.

Getting to the start and sailing in the sourthern ocean are the recurring thoughts of many of our skippers. We asked them what they thought was the biggest challenge in taking part in the Global Solo Challenge. Here a selection of answers.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge?

Javier Lapresa: Honestly, I think the most difficult thing will be to be able to get good financial or material support from a sponsor to be able to bring new electronics and sails and be on the starting line with the best chances of completing the event with the fewest possible problems and of course, the southern areas will be a challenge that will be taken with great enthusiasm but where it will be necessary to be very cautious and forward-looking. I will miss being away from my son who is now 8 months old.

Continue reading on the GSC website…

Global Solo Challenge: a unique format

The format is unlike any other round the world solo sailing event and will make it fair and exciting for the Skippers as well as easy and engaging for the public and sponsors to follow:

A wide range of boats can enter – 32 to 55 foot.
Boats will be grouped by performance characteristics and set off in successive departures over 11 weeks.
Once at sea, there are no classes. All boats will be sailing the same event. The faster boats will have to try to catch up with the slower boats, the pursuit factor creating competitive interest aboard and a fascinating event for the public and sponsors.
The first boat to cross the finish line wins. The performance differential between the boats is taken into account in staggering the departures, eliminating the need to calculate corrected times.

Global Solo Challenge – Course

All entries will have a chance of winning – dramatic from beginning to end

It will feel quite daunting and emotional to be among the first skippers to set off. Equally it will be nerve wracking for those with a long wait before theirdeparture.

The last skippers to set off will have to keep cool waiting for their turn to start the chase.

The faster boats will need to sail fast and well to make up for the head start given to the slower groups.

It will be the ultimate enactment of the tale of the tortoise and the hare, with steady cruisers being chased by performance thirsty skippers on faster boats.

Who will cross the line first?