Japanese sailor Hiroki Nakayama enters the Global Solo Challenge 2027-2028

by Marco Nannini 2 Feb 07:54 PST 28 February 2026

Japanese sailor Hiroki Nakayama © Global Solo Challenge

We are pleased to announce Hiroki Nakayama as an official entry in the Global Solo Challenge 2027-2028. Hiroki comes to the event from a background in alpine climbing, drawn to ocean racing by the same underlying drive: to face nature with his own skills, and to discover scenery and a version of himself he has not met yet.

After climbing an unclimbed peak in the Himalayas in 2019, the Vendée Globe, and the example of Japanese skipper Kojiro Shiraishi, sparked a decisive shift "from vertical to horizontal." For Hiroki, climbing and solo sailing share a common thread: self-reliance, endurance, and the discipline to keep moving forward when conditions are indifferent.

Hiroki is currently negotiating for a Class40 and is focused on the essential priorities of the project: first, fighting to make the start line; then, building the preparation required to finish with a strong result. He views this effort as a collective undertaking: solo at sea, but powered by the people and partners who support it.

Alongside the sporting challenge, Hiroki wants to carry a clear message: "There is nowhere you cannot go." By attempting a Global Solo Challenge campaign with only six years of sailing experience after a life in the mountains, he hopes to encourage others, especially in Japan, to believe more in their own capabilities.

We are delighted to welcome Hiroki to the GSC and look forward to following his progress as he works toward the 2027 start in Vigo, Spain.

About the skipper

Name: Hiroki Nakayama
Nationality: JPN
Resides in: Tokyo, Japan
Born in: 12 Mar 1983
Miles sailed: 16,000+
Boat: Class40 (in negotiation)

Where does your passion for sailing come from?

"From 'Vertical' to 'Horizontal'. I just changed the stage." I used to be an alpine climber. I climbed an unclimbed peak in the Himalayas in 2019. After that, the Vendée Globe and Japanese sailor Kojiro Shiraishi inspired me to switch to ocean racing. Climbing and sailing are the same: "Survive nature with your own skills".

My passion is simple curiosity. I want to see scenery I haven't seen yet—"scenery I haven't seen yet and a version of myself I haven't met yet."

What lessons has sailing taught you?

My own possibilities and naivety. And the scale of the Earth.

What brought you to like single-handed sailing?

"To know myself." Buddhist thinking fits for me, not as a religion but as a philosophy. Through concepts like Madhyamaka (the Middle Way) and Yogacara (Consciousness-only), I look at myself and the world. I might be treating it a bit like "Shugyo" (ascetic training). Although, now that we have Starlink, true solitude might not exist anymore! Hahaha.

What motivated you to sign up for this event?

I started sailing because of the Vendée Globe. I wanted an experience close to that. Also I felt the rules and spirit of this race fit for me.

How are you planning to prepare for this event?

"First, fight to start. Next, prepare to finish." Honestly, I am busy preparing to reach the start line. But I want to finish this ASAP, and focus on how to cross the finish line with a good result.

What do you think will be the greatest challenge?

"Creating empathy." My project needs many people to support it and push me forward. The ideal situation is where the people pushing me forward are also inspired to be "taking a step forward" themselves. Creating a project with enough value and energy—that is my biggest challenge.

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

"I am negotiating for a Class40 boat now." I am preparing to share good news soon. In Japan, there is a word: "Jinba-Ittai". This means the rider and horse move together as if they were one body, breathing in unison. I want to challenge the ocean with a boat that breathes in perfect sync with me, just like this word describes.

Do you intend to associate your personal challenge with a social cause?

"The project mission is: 'There is nowhere you cannot go'." Turning from climbing unclimbed peaks to completing GSC with only 6 years of sailing experience—I want to convey a message through this fact. The passion "I want to go, I want to do it" is what matters; experience and age are secondary.

Japanese people tend to underestimate their abilities, so I would be happy if I could tell them to have more confidence. If my challenge leads to someone else's confidence, that is my success.

Is there anything you would like to add?

The race is solo, but this project cannot exist with my strength alone. I want to take on this challenge together with my sponsors, technical team, and all the friends supporting me.

Sailing Experience