Simpson rescued in South Atlantic

(February 12, 2024) – The fatigue by boats and skippers in the 2023-24 Global Solo Challenge is mounting, with the biggest news coming from American Ronnie Simpson who was dismasted today at 0200 UTC. His Open 50 was approximately 650 nm due east-southeast from Buenos Aires, with the breakage occurring as the boat landed hard off a wave crest.

Due to a developing storm in his area, a rescue was initiated, with the Bulk Carrier Sakizaya Youth of Taiwanese ownership redirected from its course to Necochea, Argentina, after a voyage from Australia to India and Pakistan. The carrier, under the coordination of MRCC Argentina, successfully reached Simpson and brought him aboard, leaving his yacht Shipyard Brewing adrift in the South Atlantic.

In other news, David Linger rounded Cape Horn today on his Class40 Koloa Maoli despite a broken boom, with his plan to stop for repairs in Ushuaia, Argentina.

Pavlin Nadvorni has decided to retire as his left arm needs to be immobilized for at least a month, following the knockdown incident while having the kidney stone issue. He had already stopped his Farr 45 Espresso Martini in New Zealand due to problems with his mainsail mast track.

Also tapping out is Édouard De Keyser on his Solaire 34 SolarWind who had stopped in Australia for repairs, and has determined that he will be unable to depart before the race deadline to round Cape Horn.

Race details – Entry list – Start times – Tracking

Attrition List:
DNS: Peter Bourke – Class40, Imagine
DNS: Ivan Dimov – Endur37, Blue Ibis
DNS: Curt Morlock – IMOCA, 6 Lazy K
DNS: Volkan Kaan Yemlihaoğlu – Open 70, Black Betty

RTD: Juan Merediz – Class40, Sorolla
RTD: Dafydd Hughes – S&S 34, Bendigedig
RTD: Ari Känsäkoski – Class40, ZEROchallenge

The inaugural Global Solo Challenge 2023-24 seeks to be a budget-friendly solo, non-stop race around the world. Using a pursuit format for the 2023-24 race, 20 entrants from 34 to 70 feet have start times between August 26 to January 6 from A Coruña, Spain, with the first boat to return deemed the winner.

Source: GSC