The Global Solo Challenge (GSC), back to the world alone and without scales, has the pleasure of announcing the departure dates of all its registered. An extraordinary range of patterns that, on board a wide spectrum of boats, will start its solo circumnavigation between August 26, 2023 and January 6, 2024 from A Coruña, embarking on an adventure that promises to be as challenging as it is exciting (Photo Edouard by Keyser)

The ships, grouped according to their performance, will leave in steps between 26 August and 6 January. The goal is to create an attractive and exciting event in which the possibility of winning is within reach of all participants, being the first ship to cross the line of arrival the winner. The emotion is found in the pursuit, with the patterns optimizing the performance of their fastest ships to reach their companions on board of the slower ships they left before, thus creating suspension from beginning to end.

The Global Solo Challenge is an event open to a wide spectrum of ships, from 32-foot cruises with running keel to more contemporary cruises / race, including competition ships such as Class 40, Open 50 and Open 60. In line with the spirit of inclusiveness and respect for the environment proprio of the GSC, the organizers have disadvised the construction of ships specifically to participate in this event.

Based on the rating of each ship, the GSC is expected to start on 26 August and the first vessels to release the treadmill are those whose estimated circumnavigation time is about 202 days. On the other hand, the fastest ships will release 133 days later, on January 6, 2024, as they are estimated to be able to complete the world round in just 69 days. The largest group, composed of several Class 40 and Open 40, is expected to take the exit on October 28, 2023, with the aim of crossing the arrival line after approximately 139 days. The final purpose is for all ships to complete their circumnavigation on March 15, 2024, providing an exciting outcome to this unparalleled event.

So, on August 26 at 1300 UTC, you will be Dafydd Hughes, on board your S & S 34 Bendigedig, and Ivan Dimov, with your Endurance 37 Blue Ibis, the first to cross the starting line. While it will be the Open 70 Black Betty, of the Turkish Volkan Kaan Yemlihaoğlu, the last ship of the GSC fleet to release ties on January 6, 2024.

With the participation of patterns from Britain, Bulgaria, Belgium, France, Finland, USA, Canada, Spain, Italy and Turkey, the Global Solo Challenge is consolidated as an international event.

While for some the GSC represents a competition, for most it is a platform that allows them to reach a dream longed for by many sailors. Thanks to its unique format, the Global Solo Challenge allows for an ambitious single circumnavigation, without renouncing the solidarity and camaraderie that is lived as part of such an event.