Around Alone American sailor Tim Kent enters the Global Solo Challenge 2027-2028

by Marco Nannini 9 May 08:08 PDT

We are pleased to announce Tim Kent as an official entry in the Global Solo Challenge 2027-2028. Based in Oyster Bay, New York, Tim has sailed approximately 100,000 miles and has already raced solo around the world with stopovers, finishing second in Class 2 in the 2002-2003 Around Alone Race aboard a Jim Antrim-designed Open 50. For him, the natural next step is clear: to take on the challenge of a solo, non-stop circumnavigation.

Tim's passion for sailing touches every part of his life. He met his former wife on a race boat, his daughters grew up around sailing and now work in the industry, and many of his closest friendships have been formed through the sport. Offshore, he is drawn equally to the beauty and the demands of the sea: the sunrises and sunsets, the changing moods of the ocean, the technical challenge of keeping a boat moving fast and safely, and the problem-solving required when repairs become part of life at sea.

Tim will campaign a 2007 Owen Clarke Design Express 40 Class40, sail number USA 34, currently named Kent Racing, or, as he puts it, "the name of some lucky sponsor." The boat is closely related to other proven Class40s, including Cole Brauer's First Light and the boats sailed by David Linger and Ronnie Simpson. Built as a Category 0 boat, she already has much of the foundation required for the GSC, though Tim is planning further upgrades, mechanical work, and cockpit protection ahead of the start.

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

With just over a year to the start of the Global Solo Challenge, the event is entering a particularly dynamic phase. As many as 15 additional skippers who already own suitable boats are actively preparing to enter, while some previously announced campaigns are reassessing their feasibility due to funding or project constraints. Over the coming 12 months, we expect a natural evolution of the fleet, with some withdrawals balanced by new entries being confirmed. The 2027-2028 edition could also see a notably strong representation of female skippers, with up to five currently in a position to announce their participation.

Tim Kent - Kent Racing - Express 40 (Owen Clarke Design) Class40 - photo © 2026 Jamie Ayaka

About the skipper:

Name: Tim Kent
Nationality: USA
Resides in: Oyster Bay, NY, USA
Born in: 4 August 1952
Miles sailed: 100,000 approx.

Where does your passion for sailing come from?

My love of sailing touches every aspect of my life. Family is the foundation of my life. I met my former wife on a race boat. My daughters have been enamored by sailing since they were young and as adults are accomplished sailors who work in the industry. Many of my closest friends are sailors. The beauty of sailing captured me early and one of my favorite things about sailing offshore is that you get to enjoy every sunset and every sunrise. The insane temperament of the sea and the imperative of dealing with all its moods is a challenge I enjoy. The technical challenge of sailing offshore, from getting the speed out of the boat to preparing her for sea and keeping up with the sometimes complex repairs necessary offshore keep me fully engaged. The camaraderie of sailors is something I enjoy tremendously. And the teamwork required is inspiring, solo races are not solo. They require a small army of people to get the boat off of the dock. I like the whole pastiche.

What lessons has sailing taught you?

It would be better to ask: "What have you not learned from sailing?" I have learned patience, inquisitiveness, leadership, humility, and I have learned how much I have yet to learn. I have learned to be a bit of an athlete, my boat is a 40-foot long, 14-foot wide, 60-foot tall gymnasium that gets thrown around like a pinball. I have learned to seek advice and not judge any of it. I am a far better person for the challenges I have faced and the people I have met.

What brought you to like single-handed sailing?

Doublehanded deliveries back from the Mackinac races intrigued me, and when I learned of the Great Lakes Singlehanded Society's Mac Solo Challenges, I signed up. After two of those races, I became determined to race solo around the world. I had a lot of sailing behind me, but just 660 miles of solo racing and scant ocean racing before I undertook the 2002 Around Alone Race. Shockingly, I finished the race and the lifelong hook was firmly set.

What motivated you to sign up for this event?

After racing solo around the world with stopovers, the next hurdle is to do it nonstop. The potential size of the fleet is attractive, it will be a better race because of it. The timing is both tight and right: depending on your perspective I have a whole year and a half to prepare. Or... I have only a year and a half to prepare. We shall see which perspective wins. I predict a tie.

How are you planning to prepare for this event?

That process is already under way. The deck has been repainted and the electronics are well sorted. I plan an aggressive shorthanded racing program this summer to get the boat and I both tuned up. Then she comes out this fall for a thorough mechanical overhaul, along with some additional cockpit protection.

What do you think will be the greatest challenge?

Simply put: crossing the starting line. Fundraising will be the biggest challenge, the boats all need a lot of sailing and safety upgrades, mine included.

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

I have a 2007 Owens-Clarke Class40. It is in many ways a sistership of Cole Brauer's First Light and the boat that David Linger and now Ronnie Simpson have. Mine is #34 and was built as a Category 0 boat, so much of the preparation that other boats need is already baked in. It's a sturdy boat and I am confident that the boat can handle the challenge.

Sailing achievements or racing palmarès

My first offshore races were the Port Huron and Chicago to Mackinac Races. My first solo races were with the Great Lakes Singlehanded Society's Solo Mac Challenges, my first and formative solo races. I competed in the 2002-2003 Around Alone Race on a Jim Antrim-designed Open 50, a wonderful boat. I finished in second place in Class 2, a much better result than I ever expected. After that race, I shifted my sailing primarily to the ocean. I have sailed in the Newport to Bermuda Race, Marblehead to Halifax, Bermuda 1-2, Annapolis to Newport and many other shorter offshore races.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I published a book about competing in the Around Alone Race called A Boat Shaped Mind. Pick up a copy from Amazon!

Sailing Experience

Approx. 100,000 lifetime miles sailed. Key experience includes the 2002-2003 Around Alone Race, where Tim finished second in Class 2, as well as the Port Huron and Chicago to Mackinac Races, the Great Lakes Singlehanded Society's Solo Mac Challenges, Newport to Bermuda, Marblehead to Halifax, Bermuda 1-2, Annapolis to Newport, and many other offshore races.