The third departure of the the Global Solo Challenge
by Global Solo Challenge 2 Oct 2023 11:19 BST
30 September 2023
On Saturday, September 30, under a clear sky and a light breeze from the southeast which later shifted to the north and summer temperatures above 25 degrees, two more competitors from the Global Solo Challenge set off, both French: Louis Robein and Philippe Delamare.
Robein was scheduled to depart on September 23, as determined by the organization based on his boat's performance. However, an engine problem caused him to delay his departure by a week. Thanks to the timely intervention of Marco Nannini and the Marina Coruña repair team, the issue was promptly resolved. Mechanics replaced the damaged engine gasket and rectified the engine head. The public showed their support to Louis through a crowdfunding campaign, helping to cover some of the unforeseen repair costs, especially since the engine was practically new.
It's important to note that any skipper delaying their departure self-penalizes. The staggered starts are designed so that the first boat to cross the finish line is the overall winner. Anyone starting late will need to make up time at sea, and no calculations will be made for actual days sailed, nor will there be compensation for lost time. However, for many, the main goal remains completing this extraordinary challenge rather than focusing exclusively on rankings.
Delamare had delivered his Actual 46 Mowgli from La Rochelle ten days prior to the departure, where he had completed crucial tasks, such as applying fresh anti-fouling to the hull. Philippe had the boat ready in A Coruña and focused on minor details like provisions storage. The GSC rules require all heavy equipment or boxes to be securely fastened for skippers' safety, even in rough seas or in case of capsizing. Delamare seemed calm and eager to set off, even if he admitted he hadn't quite yet fully come to terms with the magnitude of the challenge ahead.
Friends and family of both Louis and Philippe gathered in A Coruña to support the skippers as they began their adventure. A small French community celebrated the festive event, and many sent messages of good luck to the sailors. To allow supporters of both skippers to witness the departure, Louis and Philippe decided on two separate starts, a few hours apart.
Louis Robein departed shortly after 11:00 local time (09:00 UTC). It was a joyous moment despite the windless calm. With a rising tide creating a mild opposing current and no wind, Louis had to wait patiently for over two hours for a breeze to fill in so he could finally gain miles away from the bay. Friends and family shared this eagerly awaited moment with him on the support boat of the GSC organization. Louis, while waiting for the wind, listened from afar to video calls from those following him in France and the cheerful comments of those present. Perhaps accustomed to the Figaro races, he might have dreamt of a more adrenaline filled departure, but the sailor enjoyed this victorious moment, finally being on the start line, with his usual calm and patience. When the boat gained speed in the light breeze, a peaceful smile lit up his face, already looking forward to the adventure ahead and the horizons of distant oceans.
Philippe Delamare set off at 15:00 local time (13:00 UTC), punctually, as scheduled by the GSC organization, with his friends cheering him on from the support boat. Relaxed and in good spirits, he made clear from the beginning his serious intentions for the GSC. On crossing the start line between the green lighthouse on the breakwater and a fixed red buoy not far away in the bay, he unfurled his code zero set on the bowsprit. He quickly picked up good speed despite the light breeze, around 4-5 knots from the north, leaving the bay of A Coruña upwind. Before focusing entirely on sailing, he allowed himself a moment of euphoria to celebrate this first milestone, so significant and challenging for all sailors. With loud music playing in the cockpit, he waved goodbye to the lyrics of Queen's song, "Don't stop me now": "I feel alive... And I'll go around the world... So don't stop me now... Because I'm having a good time." Even Mogwli, with its orange hull, adorned with photos of the children from Anne Sylvestre school in Rouen, seemed to whisper to Philippe, "Give me wind and I'll give you miles..." much like "Joshua" did with Moitessier, almost sixty years ago.
Louis Robein and Philippe Delamare begin their global journey at the Global Solo Challenge, pursuing the two skippers already at sea. Dafydd Hughes, a Welsh skipper who set off first on August 26 on his S&S34, is navigating south of the Saint Helena anticyclone, aiming for the Cape of Good Hope.
Édouard De Keyser, a Belgian skipper, departed from A Coruna about two weeks ago aboard his Solaire 34, officially informed the organization on Sunday, October 1, of his intentions to anchor in Mindelo bay, Cape Verde, to fix some issues with a rudder, bowsprit, and satellite communication systems. It will be easier for him to work in the bay and use mobile network connectivity from the shore. He won't seek external assistance, so this technical stop won't subject him to any time penalties.
The next departure from A Coruña is scheduled for October 21 when three more Global Solo Challenge competitors will set off: Finnish Ari Känsäkoski, Bulgarian Pavlin Nadvorni, and Canadian William McBrien.
To stay updated on the competitors' positions, a tracker is available on the GSC website.