Please select your home edition
Edition
V-DRY-X

American David Linger's Class40 makes it 51 for the Global Solo Challenge

by Global Solo Challenge 26 Jul 2022 07:24 PDT
David Linger © David Linger

David Linger from Seattle is the 4th American to sign up for the Global Solo Challenge, the 11th Class40/Open40 in the fleet, which is proving to be a popular choice of boat in the event.

David had been in touch with the organisers for some time and recently took the big leap to buy "Koloa Maoli", an Owen Clarke Design Class40 built by Jazz Marine formerly known as "Bolands Mills".

Inspired by his sailing heroes and by his lifelong dream of a solo circumnavigation the right time and planets alignment has come for David to be able to undertake this great adventure. The number of entries keeps growing and there's still a few that may enter and as one of the participants recently put it, even if just half of the entries made it to the start the GSC would be a tremendous success. We are very please to have hit the nail with the format and spirit for this event and hope to grow it organically and sustainably over the years.

Interview

Where does your passion for sailing come from?

As A Lifetime sailor all my hero's growing up were all adventurers and or Sailors. Chichester, Colas, Tabarly. Great adventurers and sailors who innovated and did amazing things!

What lessons have you learned from sailing?

Teamwork and resourcefulness are required to get boats across oceans, if something breaks or stops working you have to come up with a workable solution to get the job done.

What brought you to like single-handed sailing?

Being able to problem solve and do the job "your own way" and get the boat safely from a to b intact.

What prompted you to sign up for this event?

It was the combination of the right course at the right time in my life, to be able to make a trip around our planet!

How do you plan to prepare for this event?

Well I will sail "Koloa Maoli" this summer to begin to learn the boat then do the long distance solo qualifying voyage. A re-fit this winter for some comfort mods and system upgrades. I've started on the "Safety at Sea" requirements and will be meeting the first aid requirements over the winter.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge?

Getting to the start line is of course a really big challenge in its own but leaving Spain at the start will be huge! Off into a great big unknown!

Tell us about your boat or the boat you would like to have.

I now own a Class 40! USA #15 Koloa Maoli, Ex "Bolands Mill" and it's a new boat to me so a bit of a learning curve to get up to speed! My friends and I will sail the boat this summer/fall to get a feel for what needs to be updated for the Global Solo Challenge (a small heat source, and a water-maker come to mind!)

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Looking forward to an amazing adventure with a large and diverse group of sailors with a shared goal of a trip around the great Capes!

Sailing experience: 20.000+ Miles sailed. Currently racing Six Meter class sailboats locally and Internationally and supporting racers in the Race to Alaska "R2AK" with race preparation and support.

About the Boat:

  • Boat name: Koloa Maoli
  • Project: Jazz Marine Class 40 (Owen Clarke Design)
  • Sail number: USA 15
  • Year: 2006
  • LOA: 40ft
  • Displacement: 4500kgs
  • Upwind sail area: 115m2
  • Downwind sail area: 250m2

Related Articles

Ronnie Simpson returns to Global Solo Challenge
Already rounding all three of the Great Capes will aid him in 2027-2028 event We are incredibly pleased to welcome back Ronnie Simpson as an entrant in the Global Solo Challenge 2027-2028. His participation in the 2023-2024 edition left an indelible mark on the event and its global following. Posted on 19 Feb
Pablo Gonzalez Parodi enters Global Solo Challenge
A highly experienced sailor with over 100,000 nautical miles under his belt The Global Solo Challenge continues to attract passionate and determined sailors from around the world, and we are thrilled to welcome our 14th entrant, Pablo Gonzalez Parodi. Posted on 11 Feb
Ivan Dimov returns to the Global Solo Challenge
Originally from Bulgaria and now residing in Tuscany, he epitomizes the spirit of the race As new incredible speed records are being set at the Vendée Globe on the latest generation foiling IMOCAs, non-elite sailors and those unable to assemble massive budgets inevitably seek alternatives. Posted on 13 Jan
Dealtry Pickford signs up for the GSC 2027-2028
Global Solo Challenge is thrilled to welcome the Cape Town sailor The Global Solo Challenge is thrilled to welcome Cape Town sailor Dealtry Pickford to the lineup for the 2027-2028 edition. Posted on 24 Dec 2024
Sylvain Canet enters the Global Solo Challenge
He discovered his love for the sea and sailing as a young boy Following Italian skipper Marcello Queirolo's recent entry, Sylvain, a seasoned sailor with over 50 years of experience, brings his lifelong passion and expertise to the event. Posted on 20 Dec 2024
Marcello Queirolo enters the Global Solo Challenge
It is proving to be one of the most accessible and internationally diverse solo sailing events It's been an incredibly busy time behind the scenes at the Global Solo Challenge (GSC), as the event continues to gain remarkable momentum. Posted on 19 Dec 2024
Sam Glover enters the Global Solo Challenge
His entry marks an important moment in a personal journey to push his limits We are thrilled to announce the entry of British sailor Sam Glover into the Global Solo Challenge 2027-2028. Sam, who lives and works in London, joins the list of skippers officially entered in the next exciting edition. Posted on 12 Sep 2024
Fraser Flight enters the Global Solo Challenge
Bringing a wealth of knowledge and a strong determination to the race We're excited to announce that Fraser Flight, an experienced professional mariner, has officially joined the lineup for the Global Solo Challenge (GSC) 2027-2028, becoming the 8th confirmed participant in the second edition of the event. Posted on 28 Aug 2024
Brian Gray enters Global Solo Challenge 27-28
Interest in the event continues to grow We're thrilled to introduce the latest entrant in the Global Solo Challenge 2027-2028, which will begin and end in the picturesque setting of Vigo, hosted by the Real Club Náutico. Posted on 31 Jul 2024
GSC 2027 Presentation and Press Conference
At the Real Club Náutico de Vigo on Tuesday I am excited to invite you to the Real Club Náutico de Vigo for the presentation of the 2027-2028 edition of the Global Solo Challenge from its new host city of Vigo and its new host port and partner, the Real Club Náutico de Vigo. Posted on 22 Jul 2024
Allen Dynamic 40 FooterZhik 2024 DecemberRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER