Ronnie Simpson Moving Closer to Global Solo Challenge Start

We briefly reconnected with Ronnie Simpson at the Annapolis Boat Show, where he was showing off his Class 40, Koloa Maoli, less than a year before the start of the next Global Solo Challenge. The Owen Clarke-designed Koloa Maoli raced the last Global Solo Challenge with Pacific Northwest sailor David Linger at the helm. And although Ronnie is now based in Maine, he’s often back in the Pacific. This summer he raced the Pacific Cup aboard Recidivist.

The 2027–28 Global Solo Challenge starts next August from Vigo, Galicia, Spain, and heads south, around the world in the Southern Ocean, before turning north to the finish line. Ronnie was in Annapolis to showcase the boat and continue supporting his sponsors and US Patriot Sailing and the Downtown Sailing Center. Ronnie has a growing list of sponsors including the construction business Oakley Building Company, which he was welcoming aboard at the boat show.

Following his trip to Annapolis, Ronnie will be sailing Koloa Maoli back to Maine, where he’ll haul out to work on the extensive project list at the Maine Yacht Center in Portland. Major projects for the winter include new rod rigging, new running rigging, a revamped charging system, a new primary autopilot, bottom preparation, a new suit of sails and more. Ronnie and Koloa Maoli are scheduled to start the reverse-handicap Global Solo Challenge on October 13, 2027.

Ronnie competed in the 2023–24 Global Solo Challenge aboard his 50-footer Shipyard Brewing (ex-Sparrow) before dismasting in the South Atlantic after rounding Cape Horn. He had sailed 20,000 miles in that race, running in third place before his race ended. He’s now back with Koloa Maoli for another attempt.

You can stay in touch with Ronnie at www.ronniesimpsonracing.com and follow the current 21 entrants in the next Global Solo Challenge here.