Italian Simone Camba is the 46th skipper to enter the Global Solo Challenge 2023/2024
Italian Simone Camba from Cagliari in Sardinia, Italy, works as a policeman. He became Italian sailor of the year in 2021 in the category "Tag Heuer Most Voted" in the competition organized by "Giornale della Vela" and has always promoted social inclusion with his non-profit association New Sardiniasail. With his participation in the Global Solo Challenge he intends to crown a personal dream but also make his project a vehicle for a positive message for young sailors and children in schools. As organisers we are very pleased to welcome Simone as an entry, the issue of social inclusion is key in tackling the problems of divisions within modern society and forms part of the organisation's pledges in relation to sustainability.
GSC Interview
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
The passion for sailing comes from my immense passion for the sea, since I was a child I have tried to make the most of all its beauty, both below and above the surface...
What lessons have you learnt from sailing?
Boats have taught me so much... to the point of using them as a tool for social/work inclusion projects aimed at young people with integration problems...
What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
Solo sailing is a precious moment, where only you are responsible for everything that surrounds you, introspection, making the right decision at the right time, are actions you have to do alone in the moment but later can become the subject of social involvement...
What prompted you to sign up for this event?
It is the realisation of a dream that has finally become achievable thanks to the format which contains the budget and makes the event accessible.
How do you plan to prepare for this event?
I would like to create a team of ambitious young people with the passion of the sea who can follow me on this wonderful journey and obviously continue to sail as much as possible…
What do you think will be the biggest challenge?
Getting to the starting line…
Tell us about your boat or the boat you would like to have.
I currently sail on a Farr 40, very useful for athletic and technical preparation, but for this event I would like have a boat designed for short-handed ocean sailing like a Class40.
Do you intend to link this personal challenge to a social cause?
Nine years ago I realized the first edition of the project “The Route of Legality”, a project of social inclusion through the sport of sailing. From that project every year I helped hundreds of young people from all over the world, this circumnavigation will be another opportunity for me both to involve many young people and to communicate an important message… the idea is also to involve many children by bringing ocean sailing to schools and give a little happiness to children who struggle with illness every day…
Is there anything else you would like to add?
For me, the race started right now…
If you can dream it, you can do it: Walt Disney
Sailing experience
I have been sailing for about thirty years covering over 30,000 Miles. I have participated in numerous races, each of which has always left me something positive…
The Boat
Boat name: TBA
Project: Class40
Sail number: TBA
Year: TBA
LOA: 40ft
Displacement: 4,500kgs
Upwind sail area: 115m2
Downwind sail area: 290m2
The format is unlike any other round the world solo sailing event and will make it fair and exciting for the Skippers as well as easy and engaging for the public and sponsors to follow:
A wide range of boats can enter – 32 to 55 foot.
Boats will be grouped by performance characteristics and set off in successive departures over 11 weeks.
Once at sea, there are no classes. All boats will be sailing the same event. The faster boats will have to try to catch up with the slower boats, the pursuit factor creating competitive interest aboard and a fascinating event for the public and sponsors.
The first boat to cross the finish line wins. The performance differential between the boats is taken into account in staggering the departures, eliminating the need to calculate corrected times.
Global Solo Challenge - Course
All entries will have a chance of winning – dramatic from beginning to end
It will feel quite daunting and emotional to be among the first skippers to set off. Equally it will be nerve wracking for those with a long wait before their departure.
The last skippers to set off will have to keep cool waiting for their turn to start the chase.
The faster boats will need to sail fast and well to make up for the head start given to the slower groups.
It will be the ultimate enactment of the tale of the tortoise and the hare, with steady cruisers being chased by performance thirsty skippers on faster boats.
Who will cross the line first?