Because the final competitor within the International Solo Problem 2023-24 crawls up the South American shoreline, plans are underway for the follow-up version in 2027-28. Right here’s an replace from race organizer Marco Nannini:
Over 70 skippers have already registered their curiosity within the 2027-28 race with 5 having already taken the step to formally enter, others will wait until their plans to take part will agency up, with many window searching for a ship. Others are finding out the laws to know what modifications might be required to adjust to the protection framework of the Occasion. Particulars of entrants will quickly be made public on the occasion web site.
We regularly spoke of the camaraderie that developed amongst rivals on this first version, one thing now we have all the time inspired and which naturally occurred amongst like-minded sailors with a standard dream. Regardless of staggered begins and a format that didn’t make it straightforward for all skippers to be collectively earlier than any single begin, the problem and journey they shared created a bond that transcended area and time. Considerably as if solely those that have been “on the market” may actually relate and perceive each other.
We created a gaggle chat for the 2027-28 skippers. Not each enquirer feels fairly able to decide to the mission or desires to make their intentions public, however over 30 skippers have joined the group and over time will study each other’s mission, boat, private story in addition to trials and tribulations to get to the beginning.
For the 2023-24 version, we had acquired practically 700 preliminary requests of data with a complete of 54 skippers registering their curiosity within the competitors. Twenty grew to become full entrants and 16 managed to cross the beginning line. Louis Robein, on arrival would change into the seventh (and last) finisher of the primary version of the International Solo Problem highlighting the unimaginable attrition current to go from dream to accomplishment.
Based mostly on the expertise of the primary version, now we have each purpose to imagine the curiosity for the second International Solo Problem will develop significantly. With three and a half years to the beginning, the variety of skippers already engaged on their tasks provides us confidence in a progressive and sustainable progress of the occasion. Extra skippers are anticipated to begin and, we expect, extra will even handle to complete because the expertise and customary points confronted by skippers might be handed on to future rivals.
Not like established occasions with boats all belonging to the identical class, like IMOCAs within the Vendée Globe, the waters of the International Solo Problem had been, comparatively talking, pretty uncharted by way of boat preparation for a continuous circumnavigation on boats not particularly or solely designed for the duty.
The historical past of solo circumnavigators, after the 1968 Golden Globe Race, takes us to the BOC Problem of 1982-83 which had two lessons for boats 32-44 ft, and 45-56 ft. The BOC Problem was a solo race with legs, nevertheless it was successfully the precursor of the Vendée Globe. It’s not a coincidence due to this fact that it was the winner of the primary BOC, Philippe Jeantot, that went to launch the primary version of the Vendée Globe in 1989.
The BOC Problem might be the closest occasion in spirit to the International Solo Problem as entrants weren’t the trendy elite crusing super-stars we see within the IMOCA circuit at the moment with staggering budgets. The BOC remained accessible to sailors with the dream of a circumnavigation, and within the early editions, it was the go-to occasion to attain the dream of a comparatively reasonably priced circumnavigation.
In 1986-87, the minimal size was elevated to 40 ft, nonetheless manageable financially, although as time went on, the BOC Problem progressively misplaced its function of precursor and coaching floor for future circumnavigators while the Vendée Globe saved rising and rising its reputation and standing.
The BOC by 2006, then known as Round Alone, dropped the 40-foot Open Class and noticed simply seven starters, all Open 60s and only one Open 50. The occasion was successfully solely accumulating entries by boats handed down from the Vendée Globe which in 2004 had closed the doorways to Open 50s and solely accepted IMOCA 60s. The final version of the BOC Problem, then named Velux 5 Oceans, was held in 2010-11 with simply 5 older IMOCA 60s taking the beginning.
The rise of the Vendée Globe and the sluggish decline of the BOC Problem successfully meant that except you could possibly put collectively the finances of an Open 60, the doorways had been shut for a circumnavigation.
In 2008 and 2011, with the rise of the brand new Class40s, a former BOC Problem competitor, Josh Corridor, launched the International Ocean Race, which was in phases and in 2008 had a doublehanded in addition to a solo division. The solo class, nonetheless, solely noticed two entries and was dropped in 2011 once I took half, which then solely allowed doublehanded entries on Class40s. The race, regardless of attempting to fill the void left by the disappearance of the BOC Problem, didn’t absolutely take off and was solely staged twice.
In different phrases, for the reason that 2002 BOC Problem, the crusing world had no reasonably priced round-the-world solo crusing occasions. The Vendée Globe was the one continuous race which went from power to power over time however, undoubtedly, created an enormous empty area for any aspiring circumnavigator and not using a huge finances. A prime stage modern-day Vendé Globe marketing campaign hits budgets round 20 million euros over a 4 yr cycle, and even the bottom finances entries on older boats want to boost just a few million euros.
It’s no shock then that 2018 and 2022 noticed the revival of the unique 1968 Golden Globe Race, which with its historic reenactment, at the very least created a brand new chance for these with the dream of a solo nonstop circumnavigation. I’ve great respect for these taking part, the format, the kind of boats, the length, the isolation makes it an occasion for some however not for all, as I feel the GGR calls for a particular type of participant that’s aligned with the actual spirit of the occasion.
We lastly come to the International Solo Problem which I launched in late 2020. I wasn’t attempting to revive a beforehand current occasion however quite responding to my very personal interior unfulfilled dream of a solo nonstop circumnavigation. In 2011-12, once I sailed doublehanded with legs, there was no reasonably priced solo nonstop occasion. Even the struggling ex-BOC then required an older IMOCA and the Vendée Globe budgets had been already out of attain for an beginner.
To place it merely, the International Solo Problem is the occasion that I want had existed again in 2011. By extension, I imagined that others like me had or have an analogous dream.
The discover of occasion was up to date after the preliminary announcement to answer requests from sailors with boats that didn’t match the unique eligibility necessities till the occasion took its present extra liberal and open format that enables the participation in any boat of 32 ft and above that may adjust to the protection laws.
The necessities have been saved strict and consistent with one of the best practices commonly up to date by World Crusing of their cornerstone publication, the Offshore Particular Laws, which covers occasions such because the Vendée Globe and the International Solo Problem, outlined as Class Zero occasions for his or her route and at excessive latitudes in remoted and sometimes chilly waters.
The street to the 2027-28 International Solo Problem has began with the revision of some elements of the Discover of Occasion, with no vital modifications to the format and eligibility, however quite some refinements stemming from the teachings discovered within the first version. Subsequent we are going to evaluate the Security laws, including or enhancing the place we expect it’s acceptable. For each these actions I want to thank the skippers of the 2023-24 version which have contributed with their invaluable suggestions and observations.
Taking good care of sailors, the problem they face and their security will all the time be the primary precedence and I’m dedicated to maintain specializing in their wants first. I really feel any deviation from this path can finally see the downfall of an occasion as I really hope the International Solo Problem will stand the take a look at of time. We are able to all consider many occasions that misplaced their bearing regardless of their wonderful previous and struggled or disappeared.
To make the occasion interesting for sailors, their wants and aspirations should be catered for. Every participant joins the occasion with their very own ambitions and the widespread dream of a solo circumnavigation takes many types throughout totally different skippers. For some, even when not for all, gaining visibility and showcasing their abilities for future tasks is likely one of the objectives. Subsequently delivering an interesting and extensively adopted occasion for the general public has all the time been considered one of our objectives as participating can change into a stepping stone for individuals.
An evaluation of the media return of the occasion is being carried out. We all know from key statistics that we reached a really vital public, particularly contemplating the obtainable assets and the occasion being a primary version, we’re extraordinarily happy with the outcomes and we are going to give additional particulars when the media report might be obtainable.
We’re dedicated to do extra and higher subsequent time, attracting extra assets to ship even higher outcomes to supply individuals, companions, sponsors and the general public an much more partaking expertise. Keep tuned!
For the Discover of Occasion, click here.
Race details – Entry list – Start times – Tracking
The inaugural Global Solo Challenge 2023-24 seeks to be a budget-friendly solo, continuous race all over the world. Utilizing a pursuit format for the 2023-24 race, 20 entrants from 34 to 70 ft had begin instances between August 26 to January 6 from A Coruña, Spain, with the primary boat to return deemed the winner.
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