Institutions and sailors gather in Vigo as the Global Solo Challenge builds momentum toward 2027
by Marco Nannini 7 Mar 03:23 PST
28 February 2026
The gathering held on 28 February at the Real Club Náutico de Vigo brought together skippers from the first edition of the Global Solo Challenge, sailors preparing their campaigns for the 2027-2028 race, representatives of maritime institutions and local authorities, and members of Galicia's vibrant sailing community.
The multitude of languages spoken and presence of sailors from Europe, North and South America and Asia gave an international vibe. Skippers who had already completed — or attempted — the solo circumnavigation in 2023-2024 alongside those preparing their projects for the next edition created a unique exchange of experience, while the participation of regional authorities and sailing organisations reinforced the race's place within the maritime landscape of Galicia.
The event also offered the rare opportunity for many of the skippers from the inaugural 2023-2024 edition to meet again after their journeys around the world. For sailors who had spent months alone at sea facing the same storms, equipment failures and moments of uncertainty, the gathering in Vigo felt as much like a reunion as a formal ceremony — a chance to reconnect, reflect on their voyages and look ahead to the next chapter of the challenge.
Institutional backing for an ocean race based in Galicia
The morning session at the Real Club Náutico de Vigo was attended by representatives of regional and local institutions as well as sailing organisations. Their presence underlined the growing recognition of the Global Solo Challenge as a sporting event with international projection for the city and the region.
Representing the Galician government, Daniel Benavides emphasised the tradition of ocean racing in the region and recalled the legacy of the Vigo-born sailor Javier de la Gándara, one of Spain's leading offshore sailors and a participant in two editions of the Whitbread Round the World Race.
From the city of Vigo, deputy mayor Ana María Mejías welcomed the event and highlighted the city's deep maritime identity, stressing that the race reinforces Vigo's historic relationship with the sea. She noted that having the start and finish of a round-the-world sailing event in the Ría de Vigo reflects the natural maritime vocation of the city.
The sailing community was also represented at an institutional level. Manuel Villaverde, president of the Real Federación Gallega de Vela, praised the participants of the Global Solo Challenge as "special, brave and perhaps even daring sailors," recognising the extraordinary level of personal commitment required to prepare for a solo circumnavigation without stops or external assistance.
The event itself was hosted by the Real Club Náutico de Vigo, one of Spain's historic sailing institutions and a central reference point for sailing in the region.
Its president, Tone Pérez Castro, welcomed the participants and reaffirmed the club's commitment to hosting both the start and finish of the 2027-2028 Global Solo Challenge.
The Cofradía Europea de la Vela, welcomed the skippers and symbolically recognised them as "Friends of the Cofradía," reinforcing the link between the race and the broader maritime cultural traditions of the region.
The event was presented by well-known Vigo sailing journalist and photographer Juan Caballero, who guided the audience through the programme of presentations and recognitions.
Honouring the sailors of the first edition
The ceremony also served to formally honour the participants of the inaugural Global Solo Challenge, which began in 2023.
That first edition brought together 20 entries, of which 16 started the race and seven ultimately completed the full solo circumnavigation of roughly 25,000 nautical miles via the three great capes: Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn.
The sailors faced the typical challenges of the Southern Ocean: dismastings, autopilot failures, medical incidents and the relentless weather systems of the high latitudes.
Several of the skippers from that fleet travelled to Vigo to attend the ceremony and share their experiences with fellow sailors and the public. Among them were Philippe Delamare, winner of the first edition aboard Mowgli, Andrea Mura, third place; Riccardo Tosetto, François Gouin, David Linger, Louis Robein, Ari Känsäkoski, Dafydd Hughes, Ronnie Simpson, Juan Merediz and Alessandro Tosetti.
For many of them it was the first time meeting again since completing their circumnavigations, making the event as much a reunion as a formal ceremony.
Prize-giving ceremony and special awards
A central moment of the event was the official prize-giving ceremony of the 2023-2024 edition. Six of the seven sailors who completed the circumnavigation were present in Vigo and received their trophies in person, a rare occasion to celebrate together after journeys that had unfolded independently across the world's oceans.
In addition to recognising the finishers, the organisers presented four special awards highlighting remarkable achievements and stories from the race.
The Seamanship Award was presented to Ari Känsäkoski, whose extraordinary seamanship after dismasting in the Roaring Forties became one of the most remarkable episodes of the race. Sailing under a jury rig, Känsäkoski managed to navigate more than 1,200 miles across the Indian Ocean and reach Durban after a 25-day voyage under jury rig.
The Inspirational Campaign Award went to Dafydd Hughes, whose participation in the race was the culmination of months of dedication refitting an abandoned S&S34 yacht and preparing it for a solo circumnavigation.
The Perseverance Award was presented to Ronnie Simpson who was forced to abandon ship after rounding all three great capes and completed approximately 80% of the circumnavigation. Reflecting on that moment during the ceremony, he explained how he had to dig deep to process the disappointment before ultimately deciding to return and enter the 2027 edition of the race.
Finally, Andrea Mura received the Route Record Award for achieving the fastest circumnavigation time during the 2023-2024 Global Solo Challenge.
Recognition from the International Association of Cape Horners
Another significant moment of the ceremony was the participation of the International Association of Cape Horners.
Its chairman, Archie Fairley, attended the event in Vigo and formally presented the Cape Horners burgee to the Global Solo Challenge skippers who successfully rounded Cape Horn during their circumnavigation.
For ocean sailors, rounding Cape Horn under sail remains one of the most symbolic milestones in offshore sailing. The recognition by the Cape Horners association underlined the historic significance of that achievement and welcomed the GSC sailors into the small community of navigators who have faced the legendary cape in the Southern Ocean.
A growing fleet for the 2027-2028 edition
While the event honoured the past, the second half of the day focused firmly on the future.
The next edition of the Global Solo Challenge, scheduled to start from Vigo in August 2027, is already gathering significant international participation. At the time of the event, organisers confirmed that 23 skippers from 14 different countries have already entered the race, with additional projects currently being prepared.
This expanding fleet reflects the distinctive format of the race, which allows a wide range of yachts to compete together thanks to its staggered-start system based on boat performance. The concept allows production cruisers, aluminium expedition yachts, Class40 designs and other ocean-capable boats to compete on the same course around the world.
The format, combined with the philosophy of using existing boats rather than purpose-built campaigns, has attracted sailors from diverse backgrounds, including professional racers, experienced offshore cruisers and independent amateur adventurers.
Several sailors from the 2023-2024 edition are preparing to return for the next race, determined to complete projects that were interrupted by technical problems or other challenges during their first attempt.
Vigo at the centre of the project
The gathering reinforced the strategic role of Vigo in the development of the race.
The city will host both the start and the finish of the Global Solo Challenge in 2027-2028, positioning the Ría de Vigo as a gateway to one of the world's most demanding ocean sailing routes.
For the organisers, this partnership with local institutions and the sailing community is essential to the long-term vision of the event: building an international ocean race rooted in a maritime city with a deep sailing culture.
The atmosphere during the event reflected that shared ambition. Sailors exchanged experiences from the Southern Ocean, prospective entrants discussed preparation plans with veterans of the first edition, and representatives of institutions expressed their support for the future of the race.
Five days after the gathering in Vigo, one conclusion stands out clearly: the Global Solo Challenge has firmly established itself in the city. With growing institutional backing, a rising international fleet and a community of sailors already preparing for the next circumnavigation, the path toward the 2027 start is now well under way.