Please select your home edition
Edition
Selden 2020 - LEADERBOARD

On the Eve of Adventure: Dafydd Hughes's kickoff to the Global Solo Challenge

by Margherita Pelaschier 25 Aug 05:36 PDT 26 August 2023
Dafydd Hughes © Global Solo Challenge

Nearly three years have passed since the launch of the Global Solo Challenge (GSC), which was first announced in December 2020.

These were years filled with many decisions to be taken, efforts to promote the event, and meticulous preparations as skippers geared up to embark on this grand adventure, chasing a lifelong dream. The wait is nearly over: the first of several starting guns is set to go off on August 26th at 15:00 local time (13:00 UTC), marking the beginning of this incredible challenge.

Marco Nannini, the brain and driving force behind the GSC, shared his thoughts on this pivotal moment: "The first departure of the Global Solo Challenge is a great thrill for me too. To think that just under three years ago the idea for this event was born, and to now meet the competitors who have dedicated so much effort and resources to prepare, gives a much more tangible sense to the work done so far."

"I obviously follow many races as an ex-sailor and enthusiast and there are many differences, not just in the format. The staggered starts format makes it difficult to create the ambiance of a grand departure with the celebrations, the crowd, and the spotlights on everyone; replaced by a more intimate last few days for the Skippers with family and friends seeing them off. As a competitor, it can be a bit stressful to have too many commitments dictated by the organisation ahead of the start, so it's not necessarily a negative aspect. Reversing the order of departure based on performance, I hope, will create an event with a continuously growing interest from the public up to the arrival: the final outcome will be uncertain until the end. I am very satisfied with how things are going for this first edition, and I want to thank sponsors and partners who supported us as well as the entrants who worked so hard to be on the start line. For those that have missed the opportunity to join this inaugural edition, we plan to stage the next one in 2027-2028."

Given the unique format of the event, with boats grouped by performance characteristics setting off in successive departures, Welsh skipper Dafydd Hughes, born in 1960, will be the first to set sail aboard "Bendigedig", a Sparkman and Stephens 34. "I feel it's an honor to inaugurate such an extraordinary event, and it's fantastic to know that everyone will have to follow me." Dafydd commented.

The skipper, who is expected to take at least 200 days to complete his circumnavigation, arrived in A Coruna in mid-August a few days at sea from his native Wales. This provided him a moment to reflect on the monumental task ahead and to take stock of the extensive preparation that brought him to the starting line.

"The journey from Talybont, West Wales to A Coruna was surreal at moments, making me ponder the next time I'd sail into these waters and what experiences I'd have gathered by then. Being on the starting line itself feels monumental. The magnitude of this undertaking is no small feat. Everything needs precision - you can't just settle for 'good enough'. Each component, each decision must be spot on; it needs to function precisely when called upon."

Continue reading the full article here...

Related Articles

Global Solo Challenge update
Navigating the unforgiving waters of the southern oceans The latest week in the Global Solo Challenge has seen the majority of the skippers at sea confront, some for the first time, the relentless and dynamic Southern Ocean. Posted on 27 Nov
Kevin Le Poidevin sets off for GSC 2023
Determination to pursue his dream of completing a solo circumnavigation Yesterday, November 23rd at approximately 13:30 local time (12:30 UTC), Kevin Le Poidevin set off in north easterly winds of around 10 knots and a weak late autumn sunshine, from A Coruña aboard his Open 40' Roaring Forty. Posted on 24 Nov
Andrea Mura begins Global Solo Challenge
Circumnavigating the world solo was a dream he no longer wanted to postpone On a gray autumn afternoon in the bay of A Coruña, with light southwesterly winds, Andrea Mura departed on November 18th at 14:00 local time (13:00 UTC) for his Global Solo Challenge, joining the fleet of thirteen competitors already at sea. Posted on 20 Nov
Global Solo Challenge update
From the equatorial calms to the roaring forties Fourteen skippers have departed between August 26 and October 28 to take part in the Global Solo Challenge, with two more setting sail this weekend (November 18). Posted on 16 Nov
Juan Merediz retires from Global Solo Challenge
After 3 days lost repairing halyard and autopilot, problems return Juan Merediz officially announced his withdrawal from the Global Solo Challenge on November 11th due to autopilot issues. The skipper had already directed the bow of his Class40 Sorolla towards the Mediterranean three days earlier. Posted on 14 Nov
Cole Brauer crosses the equator
Dominant in the first stage of The Global Solo Challenge At 7:30 UTC, Cole Brauer reached the equator after two weeks at sea, competing in the inaugural Global Solo Challenge. Posted on 13 Nov
Global Solo Challenge update on Andrea Mura
Andrea will set off on November 18th Andrea Mura is driven by a special wind, a wind that carries the name and spirit of his homeland: Sardinia. This wind has not only inspired the name of his project and his boat, "Vento di Sardegna", but also symbolizes the pride he has for his origins. Posted on 10 Nov
Global Solo Challenge update
A brutal trial by fire debut for the late October starters The grand departure of October 29 saw 7 skippers set off from A Coruna to join those who had left in the prior weeks taking the total of boats at sea to 14. Posted on 7 Nov
Global Solo Challenge update
The conditions during the first days off the coast of Spain have been very tough As the storm Ciaran hit the coast of Brittany last night with winds reaching 55-70 knots and red alerts in various French ports, the fleet of seven vessels from the Global Solo Challenge that left A Coruña on Sunday the 29th is heading south. Posted on 2 Nov
The chase has begun in the Global Solo Challenge
Seven sailors departed from A Coruña At noon on Sunday, October 29th, the creator and organizer of the Global Solo Challenge, Marco Nannini announced on the skippers' chat: "Ladies and gentlemen, the show is on!" wishing good winds to the seven sailors who just departed from A Coruña. Posted on 30 Oct
Festival of Sails 2024 FOOTERUpffront 2020 Foredeck Club SW FOOTERPredictWind - Routing 728x90 BOTTOM