Australia's sole Global Solo Challenge entrant - Kevin Le Poidevan
by Mark Hipgrave 23 Aug 2023 16:16 PDT
Kevin Le Poidevin at sea © Le Poidevin
Kevin Le Poidevan will set off in the Global Solo Challenge on 28 October in his Open 40 vessel, Roaring 40. He's currently undertaking a 2000nm qualifying race, ahead of his start, and supplied some information whilst at sea.
The Global Solo Challenge race is an East-about, solo, non-stop, and unassisted, pursuit style round-the-world event, starting and finishing in A Coruña, North West Spain. The 18 strong fleet includes six Class 40s, two Open 40s, an Open 50, and an Open 60. The last starter is a Turkish entrant in a JuanK Open 70 that will leave on 6 Jan 2024. The first boat back to A Coruña gets the trophy.
August 26 marks the start date for the first entrant in the Global Solo Challenge, with Welshman Dafydd Hughes heading off in his 1971 S&S 34.
The faster boats are expected to take around 70 days to complete the circumnavigation, whilst the slower ones could take more than 200 days. The sole Australian entrant in the international lineup is Kevin Le Poidevan who will set off on 28 October in his boat Roaring Forty, with a target time of 150 days. A retired RAAF Project Manger, Kevin is usually based in Port Stevens NSW, and has tens of thousands of ocean miles experience (mostly solo), including two Sydney Hobarts, and two solo Trans-Tasman Races.
Roaring Forty is a full-carbon 1997 Lutra designed Open 40 formerly owned by Belgian Michel Kleinjans, who raced the boat in the 2008/09 Global Ocean Race (with stops), winning the solo division, whilst holding his own against the double-handed teams.
"On paper, the boat is capable of World Record pace, but the weakest part is probably this old skipper! I have been away from family and friends since April. That's just this year.....last year I was in The Netherlands from May to September continuing Roaring Forty's refit, and then sailing her to Spain last August", said Le Poidevan.
Unfortunately his request to extend his Short Stay visa in Spain was rejected, so he is now sailing out of the UK, prior to a voyage back to Spain for his start. "Not having a base means I have everything inside the boat, including all my refit gear. Far from ideal, and in the end I just packed Roaring Forty to the rafters and set off on my qualifier. A big thank you to my supporters, and if you would like to offset some of my forex exchange rate woes, then please consider donating to my GoFundMe link on my Aviator Ocean Racing FB page", said Le Poidevan.
Kevin is currently undertaking his 2,000nm qualifier, which takes him from Falmouth, England to Fastnet Rock, then back past Brest, toward La Rochelle, toward A Coruna, West and then looping North then NE back to the UK.
After just rounding the second mark, Le Poidevan stated, "I'm still working on optimising the charging systems, and installing a structural furler to ease the foredeck workload. My circumnavigation is about endurance. Whilst not an official World Sailing event, the Event Owner and Director, Marco Nannini, has ensured safety regulation compliance mirrors best practise under the World Sailing Offshore and CAT 0 Ocean safety regulations."
For Kevin, the event has been a long-time personal challenge, but he is also using it to support two Australian charities: Brain Tumour Alliance Australia (BTAA) and Soldier On. "People can donate via my Aviator Ocean Racing FB page. All donations go directly to the charities."