Ronnie Simpson Racing launches 2026 Sailing Season as Global Solo Challenge 2027-28 approaches
by Ronnie Simpson 17 Jun 12:29 PDT
Ronnie Simpson Racing launches 2026 Sailing Season © Billy Black
American solo ocean racer Ronnie Simpson has launched the Class 40 racing yacht Koloa Maoli at Maine Yacht Center, marking a powerful step forward into the campaign's second season of training for the 2027-28 Global Solo Challenge.
With the singlehanded, non-stop around-the-world sailing race now just 16 months away, the Portland-based campaign is shifting its focus from initial boat acquisition and campaign launch to rigorous optimization, offshore training and sponsorship development.
Following an unseasonably cold winter and spring yard period, Koloa Maoli returned to the water during a night launch in late May, taking full advantage of the high tide with assistance from the Maine Yacht Center team. An initial series of test sails in Casco Bay delivered exceptional shake down conditions to work out any technical issues and get the boat and skipper back up to speed before serious offshore sailing begins for the season.
The primary objectives for the 2026 season are ambitious. Simpson plans to cover approximately 5,000 miles of total sailing to continue to gather performance data and master boat handling techniques. Key milestones include completing a mandatory 2,000-mile solo qualifier for the Global Solo Challenge, and competing in select offshore yacht races such as the Ida Lewis Distance Race and Vineyard Race with crews featuring sponsors and youth sailors.
The campaign will also embark on another East Coast promotional tour to deepen relationships with the sailing community, highlighted by return appearances at the Newport and Annapolis boat shows in September and October.
"While 2025 was mostly about getting a campaign off the ground and securing the yacht, 2026 is a pivot toward optimization, preparation and performance," Simpson said. "Our sponsors and technical partners have stepped up and given us a nice base of support to operate the boat and do a lot of sailing this summer. This season is all about ticking the boxes to be ready for next year's race, continuing to learn and develop the platform and most critically, ensuring we raise the necessary funds to cross the starting line in Spain next October with a competitive boat and polished approach presence for our sponsors."
The winter refit was made possible by key technical partners and supplemented by new campaign sponsor, Oakley Building Company, an industrial and commercial contractor based out of the Mid-Atlantic, along with other private supporters. Marlow Ropes supplied a comprehensive package of new running rigging and traveled to Maine to assist with halyard splicing and running rigging optimization. Wichard Groupe North America and Facnor serviced and refurbished all of the yacht's furling gear, while Ronstan Sailing and Wichard provided maintenance and service items, and deck hardware for re-launch. Getec Computers provided
the vessel's new marine-grade rugged laptop and tablet, which have been integrated with Expedition Marine software to upgrade the team's navigation, weather routing, and data logging capabilities. Additionally, AkzoNobel and SeaHawk Paints provided a fresh coat of Bio Cop TF and Color Kote bottom paint to ensure a fast, smooth surface optimized for maximum efficiency. The team also removed and inspected the keel and verified the structural integrity of the hull, rudders and mast over the winter at Maine Yacht Center. Finally, a new radar and chart plotter were fitted to the yacht to increase safety during navigation.
In tandem with the technical upgrades and first sailing of 2026, the campaign has been busy away from the boat yard as well. Building community through multiple speaking events at boat shows, community sailing non-profits, yacht clubs and also serving as the keynote speaker during the Northeast Ocean Racing Symposium in March. Ronnie Simpson Racing has likewise expanded its community and educational engagement through a unique partnership with the Roux Institute at Northeastern University in Portland, Maine. Dedicated teams of project management graduate students have spent the spring semester in a capstone course designed around Simpson's Global Solo Challenge campaign, building comprehensive proposals for optimizing the campaign's fundraising, marketing, and corporate sponsorship strategies. The students toured Koloa Maoli ahead of giving their final presentations in June.
Despite positive momentum and a solid base of sponsorship support garnered since early 2025, securing major financial backing remains the campaign's most pressing requirement.
"Our biggest hurdle is funding," emphasized Marisa Veroneau, Simpson's partner and volunteer Campaign Director. "The Global Solo Challenge is a global sporting property with immense media reach, and we have a highly compelling story to share. But to build a truly competitive global effort on the world stage, we urgently need to bridge connections with brands and individuals who want to step into this journey with us."
As a campaign affiliated with the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization US Patriot Sailing, the team is fully equipped to accept tax-deductible charitable contributions alongside commercial brand sponsorships. Interested corporate partners or supporters are encouraged to contact the campaign directly at