Global Solo Challenge

About the Global Solo Challenge

The Global Solo Challenge is a unique solo sailing event around the world, starting in August 2027 from Vigo, Spain. Boats will leave in groups based on their speed, creating excitement as faster vessels try to catch up with slower ones. All boats will compete in the same race, and the first to finish wins, with staggered departures accounting for speed differences.

This event features a unique format where boats are grouped by performance and depart in waves from August to December 2027. Once they’re at sea, there are no classes, and everyone races together. Faster boats will need to catch slower boats, adding to the thrill for both sailors and spectators.

The challenge aims to be affordable and fair, ensuring that budget doesn’t solely determine success.

A wide range of boats can participate, from classic cruisers to modern racing boats like Class40s and Open 60s. The organizers do not allow participants to build boats specifically for the event to keep costs manageable.

The race covers about 26,000 nautical miles. Faster boats might complete the journey in about 70 days, while slower ones could take over 200 days.

Global Solo Challenge At A Glance

August 2027

Race begins

26,000 NM

around the world

70-200+ Days

Estimated duration

Vigo, Spain

Start + finish

A Race Like No Other

This event features a unique format where boats are grouped by performance and depart in waves from August to December 2027. Once they're at sea, there are no classes, and everyone races together. Faster boats will need to catch slower boats, adding to the thrill for both sailors and spectators.

Vigo, Spain

Race begins

Slower Boats

Depart first

Medium Boats

Join the chase

Faster Boats

Depart last

Vigo, Spain

First to finish wins

Once at sea, there are no classes

Everyone races together as faster boats chase down those that started ahead.

Kent Racing 34

Kent Racing Class 40 is number 34. She was launched as Ocean Warrior in 2007 and completed two legs of the Portimao Ocean Race before returning to the Bahamas. Kent Racing purchased the boat in late 2020 from the original owner. A thorough and substantial refit was performed in 2021. She was rechristened KENT RACING in 2021.

The Box Rule

The Class 40 is the hot rod of offshore racing boats. This is a “box rule” class — within specified limitations, mostly concerned with keeping costs in check, any boat that can fit inside a box 12.19m (40 feet) long, 4.50 meters wide, with a draft of 3.0 meters and a mast no more than 19 meters above the waterline will meet the rule. There are no expensive speed tricks that drive costs through the roof, but designers have found plenty of ways to continue to make new boats faster, and to make existing boats faster as well, like all good hot-rodders do.

  • 12.19m (40 feet) long
  • 4.50 meters wide
  • Draft of 3.0 meters
  • Mast 19 meters above the waterline
  • No lifting foils or carbon hulls.

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