Please select your home edition
Edition
Armstrong 728x90 - Performance Mast Range - TOP

Pierre-Henry Mahul: "Mindset is the most important thing"

by Mathieu Houllière 25 Mar 2023 06:54 PDT
Pierre-Henry Mahul © Pierre-Henry Mahul

Frenchman Pierre-Henry Mahul is one of the participants in the Global Solo Challenge, which will start next September in A Coruña, Spain.

An experienced sailor, he has already sailed the Southern Ocean and Cape Horn single-handedly and has more than 100,000 miles under his belt. On board Whisper Michaella, he is setting out again to tackle what he affectionately calls "the grand opera".

"I can't wait to get there. I'm really excited ". From the first exchanges, the tone is set. Pierre-Henry knows where he is going, when, and how. In this case, to A Coruña next September aboard his sailboat Whisper Michaella to participate in the first edition of the Global Solo Challenge (GSC). This car enthusiast, a collector of old models, likes things to go fast and doesn't beat around the bush: " I've been dreaming of this round the world race for a long time. If it hadn't been for the GSC, I would have gone anyway. " He had few doubts about it.

This is not the first time that Pierre-Henry will attempt to sail around the world by the three great capes. In October 2020, aboard Michaella de Bandol (all his boats are named Michaella), he tried to sail around the world solo. Unfortunately, a problem with the windvane forced him to stop in Cadiz for a month, postponing the passage of Cape Horn to April on his estimated route plan. Pierre-Henry then decided to go directly to Patagonia to round the legendary Cape.

Six months after his departure, barely back on dry land, his friends told him about the Global Solo Challenge. " I had barely set foot on land when they asked me, "Have you seen this race around the world, the Global Solo Challenge?'" I answered that I had not heard about it during those long months at sea, but I was immediately interested. " He signed up soon after. Pierre-Henry dreams of going back there and sailing at high latitudes. " I came back less tired than when I left. The soul and the body were rested. The South Seas are the grand opera. And I love opera! "

However, nothing appeared to have prepared Pierre-Henry for his decision to sail around the globe and take part in the inaugural Global Solo Challenge. Born on December 21, 1958, in Mazamet, France, he grew up in the Tarn, a charming department in the southwest of the country but far from the sea and the horizon. " I was lucky enough to be able to live between 3 and 4 months every year on the Costa Brava in Spain when I was a child. That's where I started sailing. "

When he was only 5 years old, his parents bought him a Sportyak with wooden oars. Pierre-Henry navigated — he likes the word "navigate" — as often as he could along the coast of Playa de Aro. Pierre-Henry is what we call self-taught; the sea was his only teacher. " I learned how to sail by hitting the boom and lowering the sails when it got windy. Fortunately, I have always been a good rower ". At the age of 14, he convinced his parents to buy a sailboat, a 27-footer, to go on a family cruise. The young skipper did rather well. So much so that the family decided to buy a larger model, a Puma 34, with Pierre-Henry still at the helm. In 1976, at the age of 17, he made his first major crossing as a captain on the route to Sicily. This was the trigger. Since then, he has had the desire to go further and further over the horizon.

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
Palm Beach Motor YachtsVaikobi 2024 DecemberHenri-Lloyd Dynamic Range