Robert Scharr has wanted to race around the world for many years and he has now decided to join the Global Solo Challenge.

Frenchman Robert Scharr has dreamed of sailing around the world in a competitive event all his life. Especially at the time of the first edition of the Vendée Globe. However, back then he didn’t have the financial means nor the time. When he saw the announcement of the Global Solo Challenge he saw the opportunity to fulfill his dream with his boat YAKO an ULDB designed by Patrick Yalta and self-built. Robert is the 12th French skipper to enter the GSC within a very global list of entrants of 13 different nationalities.

GSO Interview:
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
Autonomy to move on water. I have always liked the contact with water. Water is an element with which has made me bloom. Originally from Ivory Coast, I was very early attracted by the sea. I did my first sailing courses when I was 16 and I haven’t stopped sailing since. I built my first sailboat at the age of 23 (10 m long), launched 18 months later to finally be able to devote myself to my passion.

What lessons have you learned from sailing?
Sailing has taught me to be independent, to be able to confront the elements, and the pleasure of moving without assistance and playing with the wind.

What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
A first solo experience led me to a 53-day navigation from Abidjan to Brittany to bring my sailboat back. I had a lot of fun there, a great experience, which I want to repeat.

What prompted you to sign up for this event?
For many years, I have wanted to race around the world. First of all the 1st Vendée Globe but without having the means and the time to do so. Then the idea was still present until today.

When I discovered your race, I thought it was time: the right moment and the boat.

How do you plan to prepare for this event?
Being an active sportsman by nature (swimming, cycling, running: long-distance races), I have a good physical condition.

I plan to make long solo navigations in different weather conditions to properly prepare my boat. I have already sailed 20,000 miles with my boat.

I plant to prepare the boat for single-handed racing conditions.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge?
First, to be on the starting line. Then to be confronted with the South Seas which remain for me and the boat the big unknown.

Tell us about your boat or the boat you would like to have.

It’s an epoxy wood ULDB designed by Patrick Balta (reserved for him…) that I built.
Its dimensions: 12 mx 3.16 m with 3m draft.
It handles very well with and I have fun sailing in following winds, easy to maneuver.

Sailing experience
50,000 miles sailed including 20,000 solo on my boat YAKO.

About the boat

Boat name: YAKO

Sail Number: FRA 43054

Boat design: Enfant perdu (Patrick Balta)

Year built: 2014

Group: TBA

LOA: 39ft

Displacement: 4.000kg

Upwind sail area: 90m2

Downwind sail area: 150m2

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