Please select your home edition
Edition
MySail 2025

Global Solo Challenge: Riccardo Tosetto, the tenacious and determined sailor with a “green” heart

by Margherita Pelaschier 26 Feb 2023 01:28 PST
Riccardo Tosetto © Riccardo Tosetto

Riccardo Tosetto is a young Italian skipper born 36 years ago in Cittadella and entered in the Global Solo Challenge with his Class 40 Obportus. He sets off to fulfill his lifelong dream: to sail solo around the world by the three great Capes.

However, Riccardo is not just an adventurer; he manages his project with a highly professional approach, taking care of all aspects to achieve the best possible outcome for such an ambitious project.

Tosetto is one of those people, as Carlo Sciarelli, an Italian designer, used to say, who got wet in seawater and never dried. His passion for the sea dates back to his childhood. At the age of eight, he began sailing, first on dinghies and then on sports catamarans. At thirteen, he met his mentor, Angelo Preden, who had participated in the 1976 OSTAR and followed in his footsteps. At nineteen, he bought his first boat, a 52-foot yacht, with which he crossed the Atlantic twice before devoting himself to teaching sailing and charter cruises in the Mediterranean.

He discovered solo sailing during the many deliveries he made aboard his boat from Monfalcone, where he lives with his family and partner, to the Aegean, his favorite destination for his work as a skipper and sailing instructor. He recalls one particular episode: "The most beautiful solo sailing I have done was from northern Greece to Athens. A short sail of about 30 hours, conditions were favorable but challenging. I left alone at the same time as another boat fully crewed headed for the same destination; in the end, I arrived a couple of hours earlier."

"That feeling of freedom and speed left a mark on me. Solo sailing is fascinating; it gives a sense of absolute freedom, even if you can only rely on your own strength."

Riccardo is a sociable person who enjoys being in the company of friends and family, but he also needs private moments of solitude. "It helps me clear my mind and find calm. That's why solo sailing is also suitable for my character."

The realization of a dream

With the launch of the GSC, the inner fire of Riccardo's dream of sailing around the world was lit. The meeting with Enrico Candeloro, CEO of World Appeal, was crucial for Tosetto to start his project and manage the budget and sponsors. "World Appeal organizes international sporting events; they are fantastic people helping me a lot, taking care of all the extra aspects aside from navigation."

The boat: reliable, simple, and fast

Riccardo had a clear idea when he chose a Class 40 for his round-the-world voyage: simplicity, reliability of the structure and equipment, and speed. He was looking for a boat designed to sail the oceans and perform well in downwind conditions, small enough, without excessive loads and with a moderate cost. Speed was another important factor to ensure greater safety.

After six months of research, Tosetto found his Class40 Obportus in Saint-Malo, owned by Louis Burton's IMOCA team. In February, he saw the boat and in April, after completing negotiations and the purchase, he returned to France with his wingman Filippo Montagner for the delivery to Italy, in the northern Adriatic. Obportus has a fiberglass sandwich hull, and a carbon mast, boom, and spinnaker pole. It has a fixed keel and two 750-liter ballasts.

"A fond memory is the exit from the locks of Saint-Malo together with Louis Burton's IMOCA Bureau Vallée."

Continue reading the full article here...

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
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_cruise BOTTOMMaritimo 2023 S600 FOOTERSwitch One Design