About GSC | What is Global Solo Challenge – Hiroki Nakayama Project

NOTICE Seeking Sponsorship (Corporate & Individual) / Media & Speaking Inquiries

GSC Background
Global Solo Challenge 2027

48,000km
140 Days Race

One of the toughest sports in the world.
One human, circumnavigating the globe without landing, unassisted, and non-stop.
A new, sustainable race begins here.

The Race Format

“The First to Finish Wins”
The Ultimate Chase

The GSC employs a “Handicap System” (Pursuit Start). Start dates are staggered over several months based on the boat’s performance potential. Slower boats start first, followed by faster boats chasing them—a dramatic format designed for everyone to finish around the same time.

Designed for a Shared Finish Moment

Finish
August Start
Small Yachts
October Start
Class 40
December Start
Open 50/60

* Staggered start times create a dramatic finish where skippers arrive together.

Comparison of the Big Three Solo Global Races

Why GSC?

Feature Vendée Globe Golden Globe Race Global Solo Challenge
Concept Pro, Fastest, High-Tech Retro, 1968 Recreation Inclusive, Challenge, Dream
Boats IMOCA 60 (Multi-million $) Retro boats designed pre-1988 Wide range of existing boats (32-70ft)
Tech/Comms Latest Tech Forbidden (Sextant only) Modern technology allowed
Budget Tens of millions of USD Relatively Controlled Realistic (~$1.5M+)
The Machine

Why “Class 40”?

A logical choice prioritizing “Finishing”. It is the optimal solution balancing reliability and cost performance for solo navigation. It maintains high performance with top speeds over 20 knots while keeping the budget controlled.

High Reliability

A tough design with over 200 boats built and a proven track record of finishing global races like “Globe40”.

Cost Performance

Participation is possible at less than 1/10th the cost of a modern IMOCA 60. Enables sustainable project management.

Offshore Track Record

High completeness as an offshore racing boat, serving as an extension of the “Mini Transat” completed in 2025.

Class 40 Yacht

Class 40

LOA 12.19m
Beam 4.50m
Draft 3.00m
Crew 1 (Solo)
Sustainability

A Voyage for the Future, Not Polluting the Earth.

Choice Not to Build New

To avoid the massive environmental impact (carbon footprint) of building new boats, the race encourages recycling and refitting existing boats.

Zero CO2 Emissions

Engines are not used except in emergencies. Electricity is 100% self-sufficient via solar and hydro-generators, aiming for carbon neutrality.

ISO 20121 Certified

Acquired international standards for event sustainability. One of the few advanced races in the world where environmental consideration is incorporated into the rules.

World Map Dark
The Route

26,000 Miles
Around the 3 Great Capes.

Departing from Vigo, Spain, circumnavigating the Southern Hemisphere eastward.
Passing through “Point Nemo,” the farthest point from land, to the greatest challenge, Cape Horn (Chile).
The ultimate solitary course with no escape.

  • Start/Finish: Vigo, Spain
  • Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
  • Cape Leeuwin (Australia)
  • Cape Horn (Chile)
World Map
Vigo
*Approximate Route Visualization
Media Impact

80,000,000+

Previous Event: Total Views

34M+
TV Views
35M+
SNS Reach
157
Countries Reached
Press
Massive Coverage

Featured On

To the tens of millions of fans worldwide watching the challenge.

Together,
To Unseen Horizons

This challenge cannot be achieved by one sailor alone.
Why not become a crew member and share the story?
Your support will push Hiroki Nakayama toward his journey around the world.

We are looking for support from companies and individuals.

For sponsorship inquiries, lecture/media requests (pro bono in principle), please contact us via Instagram message or email form.

Contact Us Here
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