Galician authorities welcome GSC in Vigo

By Global Solo Challenge

The presentation held at the Real Club Náutico de Vigo of the Global Solo Challenge 2027/2028 marked a significant milestone for the event following the success of its inaugural edition of 2023-2024. Moving the event to Vigo will enhance engagement with the host city and its community, and allow greater public participation due to the naturally protected waters of the Ría de Vigo, sheltered by the Cíes Islands, which provide ideal conditions for departures and arrivals in all weather conditions.

The Real Club Náutico de Vigo will be the host club and partner of the Global Solo Challenge 2027-2028. The circumnavigation will start from the Ría de Vigo in August 2027 and will see its champion crowned in 2028, after a 26,000 nautical mile journey – non-stop – passing by the Cape of Good Hope (southern tip of Africa), Cape Leeuwin (Australia), and Cape Horn (Chile). The marina of the RCNV will be the start and finish port for the competition, which has already opened registrations and is attracting a large number of enquiries from around the world.
 
The presentation of the event, moderated by sailing journalist Juan Caballero saw the attendance of many authorities including the Vice President of the Deputation of Pontevedra, Luisa Sánchez, the Secretary General for Sports, José Ramón Lete, the Director of the Galicia Tourism Agency, Xosé Manuel Merelles, the President of the Galician Sailing Federation, Manuel Villaverde, Francisco Quiroga, former President of the Federación Gallega de Vela and President of the Cofradía Europea de la Vela, as well as the creator of the event, Marco Nannini, the Commodore of the Real Club Náutico de Vigo, José Luis Ríos, and its President, José Antonio Portela.

The commodore of the RCNV, José Luis Ríos, and the event organiser, Marco Nannini, gave an overview of the unique format of the event with its strong focus on sustainability and inclusivity within the framework of strict safety standards. Marco Nannini expressed gratitude for the proactive support and professional help received this far from the RCNV and to all attending authorities for their participation and thanked Francisco Quiroga for being key in facilitating relations between the organisation and the Real Club Nautico . “I am very pleased to have made such an important strategic move taking the event to Vigo which I am sure will greatly contribute to its growth as well as becoming an important event for the city’s calendar.
 
The president of the Nautical Club of Vigo, José Antonio Portela pointed out that “This race is different. It deviates from traditional ocean races like the crewed Round the World race (the Ocean Race), for which the RCNV was the starting port in 2005, or the Vendée Globe, solo and non-stop dedicated exclusively to high budget 60-foot monohull boats.” The GSC is unique in that it allows any sailor to participate and can choose to do so with a wide range of boat types. This inclusive approach distinguishes it from other ocean races, promoting sustainability, avoiding the need to build new boats to be competitive and emphasising the human aspect of sailing.

“It is a very complicated race that requires plenty of time to organise” , added Portela, who also announced the RCNV is working on hosting the Snipe World Championship in 2026 and the J70 worlds in 2027. “These events, all with global visibility, are a great opportunity and we can count on the entire organisation of the Club with very qualified personnel. Success, however, also requires the involvement and support of institutional parties” concluded the president of the RCNV.

The Vice President of the Deputation of Pontevedra, Luisa Sánchez added that it is “a unique challenge as we are talking about sailing around the world solo” and expressed her pride that Vigo is the host city of the second edition of the Global Solo Challenge: “I am sure that the city will engage with this challenge, its participants, and organisers, because if there is something we can boast about in Vigo, is the fact that it is a welcoming city.” She also expressed the Deputation’s commitment to sports and major sporting events, “which have a great impact and are a great boost for the economic development of our territory.”

The Global Solo Challenge 2027-2028 will contribute to reinforce Galicia’s standing in the global sailing community. The Secretary General for Sports, José Ramón Lete, stressed the importance of Galicia in the international sailing scene. The President of the Galician Sailing Federation, Manuel Villaverde, expressed support and appreciation for this sailing event with global reach.
 
The event will also serve as one of the major events of the Xacobeo 2027, further enhancing the region’s appeal as a year-round tourist destination. The Director of the Galicia Tourism Agency, Xosé Manuel Merelles, expressed his appreciation for the organisation’s choice to come to Vigo.

We thank all participants at the presentation and the enthusiasm shown in welcoming the event in Vigo and we look forward to the continued support of all stakeholders and are committed to making the Global Solo Challenge 2027-2028 a memorable and successful second edition.

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