Gorka Rozas, Spain, 23rd entry in the Global Solo Challenge
by Global Solo Challenge 21 Jun 2021 05:11 PDT
Gorka Rozas © Global Solo Challenge
Gorka Rozas from Ortuella in the Basque Country, Spain, is the 23rd entry in the Global Solo Challenge. He sails a Northwind 40, an emblematic boat in Spanish yachting, produced by the Angus Pimrose shipyard.
The same boat that had two of the people who taught him everything he knows, Unai Basurko and José Luis de Ugarte.
Interview
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
I am a pupil of Unai Basurko.
What lessons have you learnt from sailing?
Humility and self-sufficiency.
What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
The enjoyment.
What prompted you to sign up for this event?
The opportunity to complete the challenge and finish in first position.
How do you plan to prepare for this event?
Testing the boat and training until the day of departure in the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge?
The Southern ocean.
Tell us about your boat or the boat you would like to have
The Northwind 40 is an emblematic model of Spanish yachting, it left the Angus Pimrose shipyard in the year 74, the ninth of the first 12 built.
Designed for the Admirals Cup and winner of the Fasnet with Bruce Banks in its category.
The same boat that had two of the people who taught me everything I know, Unai Basurko and José Luis de Ugarte.
Do you intend to link this personal challenge with a social message?
We plan to involve schools in the Basque Country to follow the event in the classrooms and thus learn a sense of responsibility towards the oceans from a young age.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I will give it my all and enjoy the race from the start.
Sailing experience: I have been sailing since childhood.
About The Boat:
- Boat name: Geldi-Geldi
- Sail number: ESP2
- Model: Northwind 40 (Angustia Pimrose)
- Year built: 1974
- Group: TBA
- LOA: 40
- Displacement: 10,500 kgs
- Upwind sail area: TBA
- Downwind sail area: TBA