Text By Marco Nannini
Image: Ari Känsäkoski - ZEROchallenge - OCD Class40 - Photo: @globalsolochallenge
Finnish skipper Ari Känsäkoski took the start of the Global Solo Challenge 2023-2024 on his Owen Clarke design Class40 ZEROchallenge. After rounding Cape of Good Hope he dismasted in the Roaring Forties north of the Kerguelen islands, more than a thousand two hundred miles from land, putting him in a very delicate situation. He remained cool headed and began making plans to reach the African continent. Following the dismasting he spent 25 days nursing the boat under jury rig and engine, including a mid-ocean refuelling from the Japanese fishing vessel Tomi Maru and one from the Finnlines ferry Finncanopus. Ari eventually reached Durban where he was forced to retire from the event. His incredible journey back to land is a lesson to all who sail and was celebrated with the Global Solo Challenge “Seamanship” award.
Ari has now committed to completing his journey and has now committed to returning for the Global Solo Challenge 2027-2028. His remarkable strength of character and determination will again be his strongest asset and we look forward to following his journey.
About the Skipper
Name: Ari Känsäkoski
Nationality: Finland
Resides in: Pernaja, Finland
Born in: 1970
Miles sailed: Forty years of active racing.
Boat: ZEROchallenge — Owen Clarke Design 2007 Class40
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
Since I was 12 years old, I have been passionate about the elements of the sea and nature. As well as sailing, I used to be a mountain climber, and these two elements are the only ones that can deliver the vastness, calmness, and thrill at the same level. Stormy or peaceful mountains and roaring or calm ocean. The feeling is truest when you are in the middle of it alone.
What lessons have you learnt from sailing?
Major values and skills in life:
-love of nature
-the importance of fighting climate change
-team player skills
-fairness to others
-leadership skills
-helpfulness
-competitiveness
-first comes first thinking
-precise sailing skills
-and so so much more
Sailing is the backbone of my life and I see everything through sailing.
What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
I was working at our hometown yacht club and marina Gamlagarleby Segelförening on a summer job when I was 17. One day, Harry Harkimos was there on his Swan 50, Belmont. He was there for a promotion tour after his single-handed BOC Challenge race. The marina was quiet during working hours, and he showed me his boat and told amazing stories for half a day. That left me with an inner drive. Years of racing took me on a different path but now it is time to realise my dream.
What prompted you to sign up for this event?
I purchased my boat Fuji for Global Ocean Race 2015. Unfortunately, the race was cancelled. Since then, there had not been a nonstop version of a single-handed race suitable for Fuji until the Global Solo Challenge in 2023. After my dismasting in the first edition of the race I am more determined than ever to come back and complete what I started.
How do you plan to prepare for this event?
After retiring in Durban during the Global Solo Challenge 2023-2024, I brought back the boat to Finland, which needs a new mast and a full refit. Work is underway.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge?
My rest and eating routines. I am so focused on sailing that it will be a challenge to ensure I get into a solid routine to optimise my performance and results throughout the race. I will make the most of what I learnt in 2023.
Tell us about your boat or the boat you would like to have.
Fuji is a Class 40 and was originally commissioned for Alex Bennet. Fuji is designed and built as a robust platform for single-handed CAT 0 racing.
Do you intend to link this personal challenge with a social message?
Absolutely, for me, contributing to social value has been a feature of my lifestyle for a long time. ZEROchallenge was initiated by me in 2015 and brought together many elements of my lifestyle into a project that showcases carbon-free life in all areas and activities. In this race, the Global Solo Challenge will be completed using renewable energy and the carbon footprint will be kept ZERO or even positive.
Sailing experience
Forty years of active racing as a skipper and coach in several countries including France and the U.K. Top experiences are hard to list but some highlights include:
5 Finnish championships in dingy classes
Military Nordic champion 1990
Finnish offshore champion 2000
ARC class winner 2002
Finnish IRC ranked winner 2012
Best Vintage Class40 in World – and European Championship series 2017
Solo Round the Rock (original Fastnet course solo race), 2016 and 2018
RORC Transatlantic Race 2018
3 Fastnet races
Round Britain and Ireland 2018
Global Solo Challenge 2023-2024
Boat details
Boat model: Owen Clarke Design 2007 Class40
Designer: Owen Clarke Design
Boat name: ZEROchallenge
Year launched: 2007
Length overall: 40 ft
Displacement: 5500 kgs
GSC 2027 Entries
Skipper Boat Name Boat Nat. Start
01. Chris Stanmore-Major Osprey Maxi 85 GBR tba
02. Peter Bourke Imagine Open 40 USA tba
03. Jonathan Massingill tba (Class40) USA tba
04. Marek Lipinski Kowalski Taling 32 POL tba
05. Piotr Czarniecki Atom Pasja 10 POL tba
06. Jérôme Delire MASAÏ Class40 #109 BEL tba
07. Brian Gray Kawan 3 Class40 #75 USA tba
08. Sam Glover tba (Class40) GBR tba
09. Fraser Flight Shamwari Class40 #18 GBR/ZWE tba
10. Marcello Queirolo IAIAI Elan 37 ITA tba
11. Sylvain Canet Wild Boréal 44.2 FRA tba
12. Dealtry Pickford Metric 4t Class40 #OCD ZAF tba
13. Ivan Dimov Blue Ibis Endurance 37 BGR tba
14. Pablo Gonzalez Parodi Gryphon Class40 #106 URY/USA tba
15. Ronnie Simpson Koloa Maoli Class40 #15 USA tba
16. Juan Merediz Waypoint Class40 #69 ESP tba
17. Christophe Bogrand Sterec Bleu Tocade 50 FRA tba
18. Ross Hubbard Sea Bear Panda 38 USA tba
19. Lloyd Davey Taqua II Borealis GBR tba
20. Michal Krysta tba (Class40) CZE tba
21. Hiroki Nakayama tba Class40 #52 JPN tba
22. Noa Hopper Penelope Koopmans 41 USA tba
23. Ari Känsäkoski ZEROchallenge Class40 #38 FIN tba