Solo sailors: ice in their veins

The inaugural Global Solo Challenge 2023-24 seeks to be a budget-friendly solo, non-stop race around the world. For boats from 32 to 55 feet with an IRC rating below 1.370, a pursuit start over 11 weeks begins in A Coruña, Spain, with the first boat to return deemed the winner. Here is a look at two intrepid sailors, William McBrien (CAN) and Ari Känsäkoski (FIN).

As the thrilling, salt-sprayed drama of the Global Solo Challenge (GSC) unfurls, we take an in-depth look at two intriguing entrants. The event, which combines relentless endurance, daring adventure, and nerve-wracking solitude, features competitors with captivating narratives that extend beyond the high seas. Their unique journeys, filled with a blend of audacity and resilience, promise a riveting spectacle that leaves no stone unturned when it comes to human endeavor and skill.

First, we set our gaze upon William MacBrien, a seasoned Canadian sailor who navigates the waves with an unwavering spirit, fueled by personal tribulation and a legacy of naval heritage. His story teems with preparation, determination, and a quest to shed light on the importance of mental health – a course charted solo but echoed back to a global audience.

Then, our spotlight shifts to the icy waters of Finland, where we meet Ari Känsäkoski, a sailor committed not only to the arduous journey ahead but also to the planet that he voyages across. A champion of eco-sustainability, Ari merges a formidable sporting background with an earnest commitment to preserving our environment, leaving a green wake in his journey through the world’s oceans.

Hold onto your deck chairs, readers, these tales of sea-bound bravery, personal resilience, and environmental stewardship are as compelling as the high-stakes race they set out to conquer.

William MacBrien
Canadian William MacBrien, born in 1965, is a passionate sailor who inherited his love for the sea from his father, a career Navy Carrier Pilot, 1964 Olympic sailor, and boat builder. Immersed in the sailing world from a young age, MacBrien learned important lessons about respect for the sea, the significance of planning and seamanship, and the value of problem-solving.

His affinity for single-handed sailing stems from his personality and the unique challenge it presents. Despite enjoying his own company, he acknowledges the need for a dedicated support team to accomplish this demanding task. Leveraging his skydiving experience in risk management, MacBrien has assembled a capable team to tackle the Global Solo Challenge (GSC).

Inspired by the pandemic and personal loss, he decided to stop dreaming about sailing solo around the world and take the necessary steps to make it a reality. His preparation plan is rigorous and involves extensive training with an experienced coach, familiarity with his boat’s systems, and completing a 2,000-mile solo qualifier, which he already did in June. Currently expected to depart in the second half of October, by the start of the race, he aims to have sailed between 5,000 and 10,000 miles.

While he anticipates that the biggest challenges will be the quality of food and maintaining high average speeds without risking gear failures, MacBrien is optimistic about his boat. After his initial plan to purchase an Open50 fell through, he managed to charter a Cat 0 compliant Akilaria RC1 Class40, renamed “Phoenix” for the GSC.

MacBrien plans to utilize the GSC to promote the importance of good mental health through Phoenix Ocean Racing. He believes that by sharing his daily challenges during the race, he can inspire others to prioritize their own mental health and that of those around them.

In addition to his sailing experience, which ranges from racing at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club to multiple yacht deliveries, MacBrien is also a skydiving instructor and a Canadian record holder with over 3,000 jumps under his belt.

Ari Känsäkoski
Finnish sailor Ari Känsäkoski, a prominent entrant in the Global Solo Challenge (GSC), is an embodiment of eco-sustainability both in his sport and his lifestyle. Not only is he a sailor, racer, and sailing coach, but also a qualified interior architect who specializes in eco-sustainability through his practice, ‘ZEROdesign’. He works on building lifecycle analysis projects under the umbrella of ‘ZEROchallenge’, a lifestyle project that promotes carbon-free architecture, ECO-efficiency, and a maximal recyclable lifestyle.

Ari’s boat for the GSC is geared to be as eco-friendly as possible, powered primarily by hydro generators and supplemented by solar and wind power systems. The hydro generators convert the energy of flowing water into mechanical energy, which is then transformed into electricity to charge the boat’s batteries. Ari plans to carry renewable diesel, produced from waste agricultural oils and fats, as a backup power source. His cooking will be fueled by biogas, a renewable energy derived from waste products.

With a sailing experience spanning over four decades, Ari boasts an impressive record that includes 5 Finnish championships in dingy classes, the title of Military Nordic Champion in 1990, Finnish Offshore Champion in 2000, ARC Class Winner in 2002, Finnish IRC ranked Winner in 2012, Best Vintage Class 40 in the World and European Championship Series 2017, and European Championship 2022. He has also competed in multiple prestigious races including Solo Round the Rock, RORC Transatlantic Race, Fastnet races, and the Round Britain and Ireland.

His boat, ‘Fuji’, a Class 40 vessel designed by Owen Clarke and built by sailor Alex Bennet, was specifically designed for Category 0 racing. Ari has recently completed his mandatory qualifier sailing 2000 miles between the North Sea and the Baltic from Cherbourg to Helsinki.

Ari also leads the Finnish Ocean Racing Association, which offers sailing opportunities, race training, and racing. During the summer, his team, including his sailing girlfriend, will carry out the necessary preparations before leaving Helsinki for his GSC start on October 21 in A Coruña. Ari’s personal ethos aligns closely with the GSC’s focus on sustainability, making him an ideal entrant for the event.

Race details – Entry list – Start times