Dealtry Pickford from Cape Town signs up for the GSC 2027-2028

by Marco Nannini / Global Solo Challenge 24 Dec 10:40 GMT

Metric 4t - Global Solo Challenge © Global Solo Challenge

The Global Solo Challenge is thrilled to welcome Cape Town sailor Dealtry Pickford to the lineup for the 2027-2028 edition. A familiar face in South Africa's sailing community, Dealtry is set to take on the ultimate test of endurance, skill, and determination as he embarks on a solo circumnavigation of the globe.

Dealtry's love for sailing began at a young age, inspired by his late father, a passionate sailor who dreamt of circumnavigating with his family. Now, Dealtry is honoring that legacy by taking on the world's oceans aboard his Class 40 yacht Metric 4t. Built in Cape Town in 2007 and meticulously prepared for this challenge, the boat is as much a part of Dealtry's story as his journey itself.

With a background as a competitive dinghy sailor and experience representing South Africa at the national level, Dealtry may be new to ocean racing, but he's no stranger to pushing boundaries. He's diving headfirst into preparations, determined to balance the physical demands of the race with a broader message of conservation. Through his campaign, Dealtry aims to raise awareness about the seabirds of Marion Island and highlight the pressing issue of ocean pollution.

As Dealtry sets his sights on the start line in Vigo, his story is a testament to courage, commitment, and a deep connection to the sea. Stay tuned as this dedicated sailor shares his journey to the GSC and beyond!

Metric 4t - Global Solo Challenge - photo © Global Solo Challenge

About the Skipper

Name: Dealtry Pickford
Nationality: South African
Boat: Metric 4t - Class40 (Owen Clarke)
Lives: Cape Town, South Africa
Born in: 1961
Miles sailed: Since childhood
Personal Website: www.most.africa

Where does your passion for sailing come from?

My late father introduced me to sailing at a young age. He had the desire to circumnavigate with our family when I was a child but "life got in the way" and he never achieved this goal. He was a passionate sailor who enjoyed the sport for his entire life.

What lessons have you learnt from sailing?

Respect for the natural environment. As a human we are humbled by the power of nature. We need to show the deepest respect for its power whilst harnessing it for our own fulfilment in achieving our ambitions. I'm certain that the experience of participating in this race will leave an indelible mark on me for the rest of my life.

What brought you to like single-handed sailing?

I've always admired the courage and determination of the world's sailing greats, both past and present, who inspire me to push myself against the elements to see how far I can go. On a personal level, participation will be the realisation of a dream for me. I relish the physical and mental challenge that Solo Sailing puts on the sailor. Sailing Solo over a great distance is the ultimate human challenge.

What prompted you to sign up for this event?

I want to fulfil my lifelong ambition to sail solo around the world and the GSC offers me the opportunity to do this whilst under the watchful eye of the event organisers, as well as the comfort of knowing that there are other participants close at hand should anything go wrong.

Embarking on a round-the-world yacht race is not just about fulfilling my personal ambition, but also about pushing the limits of human endurance and spirit.

The race will take us into the wild southern ocean, where few have the privilege of being up close with the extreme natural world that is fast becoming more and more compromised.

How do you plan to prepare for this event?

Sail, Sail, Sail. Get familiar with my boat to know my boundaries and where the limits are. Doing as much of the preparation work myself so that I'm familiar with all aspects of my boat and what is required to successfully complete the challenge.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge will be to get sufficient funds together and have the time to prepare the boat and get to the starting line.

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

My boat "Metric 4t" is an Owen Clarke Design Class 40 built in Cape Town in 2007 and launched in 2008. I bought the boat from the original owner who commissioned the boat. The boat saw very little usage as the previous owner lived abroad and only used it on the occasion that he was in Cape Town.

Do you intend to link this personal challenge to a social message?

I want to raise awareness of the plight of the Seabirds of the Southern Ocean, particularly those that breed on Marion Island which is a South African protectorate located in the Southern Indian Ocean.

mousefreemarion.org

The Mouse-Free Marion Project concerns the plight of seabirds on Marion Island.

I am also concerned about the pollution of the world's oceans and will try and use this platform to raise awareness.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I'm a committed guy - I sold my house and bought a boat! I decided it was time to make good on a promise I made myself in 1994 when, as a cameraman, I shot a documentary that chronicled what it took to get to the start of the BOC 'Around Alone' round-the-world-race.

I have made my boat available to the South African Ocean Racing Trust (SAORT) and its "Next Project" which will teach previously disadvantaged people the skills needed for Offshore Sailing with the aim of fostering the "Next" generation of South African Offshore Sailors or at least inspire a career in the maritime industry.

I hope to promote South Africa and its people, brands & businesses, as well as highlighting initiatives that resonate with me.

Sailing experience

I have a Yacht Master Offshore Sailing Qualification, but in reality I have very little experience in Ocean sailing and none in Offshore Ocean Racing.

I'm a dinghy sailor that competed in local, provincial and national regattas. I have represented my country in sailing as a member of the South African National team.

My most recent sailing achievement is taking Line Honours in the 2024 double handed Canyon Cup 100 on my boat "Metric 4t."