American Skipper Noa Hopper enters the Global Solo Challenge 2027-2028

by Marco Nannini 20 Feb 07:15 PST 28 February 2026

Noa Hopper - Penelope - Koopmans 41 © Global Solo Challenge

We are pleased to announce Noa Hopper as an official entry in the Global Solo Challenge 2027-2028. Noa comes to the event from a life shaped by the ocean, driven by the same underlying impulse that defines the GSC: to commit fully, solve what the sea presents, and discover what's possible when life is reduced to the essentials.

Raised around the water in the United States, Noa's path into sailing was forged early. After breaking both ankles at age six — effectively ending land sports — he leaned even further into the ocean world his family loved, spending his childhood swimming, surfing, paddling, and sailing. That long immersion built a natural comfort offshore, and a mindset he sums up with clarity: sailing is a sequence of puzzles — solve them patiently and creatively, and you make it across.

For Noa, single-handed sailing is not only a test of seamanship but a deliberate way to experience life more intensely. He is drawn to the simplicity of long solitude at sea, where external noise falls away and the focus narrows to what matters: the boat, the weather, the next decision. He hopes that by finding his limits and pushing past them, he can better understand what holds people back — and share that learning with others who carry ambitious goals of their own.

Noa will campaign a Koopmans 41, Penelope — an aluminium cutter launched in 1997 — named both for the wife of Odysseus and for his mother. Capable and strongly built, she matches the kind of ocean-going project Noa is assembling. His preparation plan is as unconventional as it is substantial: over the next year he intends to sail around the world, visiting conservation projects to help them tell their stories, with major solo legs planned from Mexico to the South Pacific, and potentially New Zealand to Patagonia in early 2027 — essentially turning the build-up into "half the race."

Alongside the sporting challenge, Noa wants to carry a clear message of optimism and action. In a media environment he feels is saturated with negativity, he aims to highlight the equal presence of good — by supporting initiatives that protect ocean wildlife, collecting donations, and helping projects gain the visibility and funding they need to keep doing the work that benefits all of us.

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

Noa Hopper - Penelope - Koopmans 41 - photo © Global Solo Challenge

About the skipper:

Name: Noa Hopper
Nationality: USA
Resides in: United States
Born in: 10 Apr 1999
Miles sailed: 40,000 (approx.)
Boat: Penelope — Koopmans 41 (1997), aluminium cutter

Where does your passion for sailing come from?

I was lucky enough to grow up on the ocean. When I was 6 I broke both my ankles and that kind of put land sports out of the question — so I ended up spending even more time swimming, surfing, paddling, and sailing. I've probably spent more time on the water than on land.

What lessons has sailing taught you?

Patience & creativity above all. Sailing is simply a series of puzzles to solve. If you complete them all, you and your boat make it across the ocean. I firmly believe that with enough time and creativity anything can be accomplished.

What brought you to like single-handed sailing?

I've always loved to challenge myself, but beyond that I want to feel everything that this human existence has to offer. What better way than spending 180 days alone at sea? I'll be able to limit external input and simplify life to its bare necessities. If I can find my limits and push beyond them, maybe I'll understand what held me back — and share that with others who have wild goals too.

What motivated you to sign up for this event?

The GGR was full — and I like the option to have Spotify and a Kindle onboard. How are you planning to prepare for this event?

For the next year I'll be sailing around the world visiting conservation projects to help them share their stories. That route will include a solo from Mexico to the South Pacific islands, then perhaps a solo from New Zealand to Patagonia in January 2027, before the long trek back north to Europe for the race start. My prep will be doing essentially half the race.

What do you think will be the greatest challenge?

I have no idea — but I can't wait to find out.

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

I will be sailing on a Koopmans 41 named Penelope, after the wife of Odysseus and my mother. She is an aluminium cutter from 1997 and an absolute beast of a boat — capable of sailing any ocean on the planet.

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

Absolutely. There's too much negativity in the media. I want to show people there is also an equal amount of good. In the year leading up to the race I'll be visiting projects that are actively helping protect and preserve oceanic wildlife. We'll be collecting donations and helping make sure these projects get the visibility and funds they need to continue protecting this planet for all of us.

Sailing achievements or racing palmarès

Not too much yet — I solo sailed the Atlantic from Lisbon to St. Maarten. The first time I ever sailed this boat was leaving Lisbon for that crossing. I sailed straight into a breezy little three-day system and learned a lot.

Is there anything you would like to add?

For anyone who has wildly ambitious dreams, just start. You'll never be 100% ready. It took me a long time to learn that.