Support Ronnie Simpson's 2027 Global Solo Challenge

Ronnie Simpson Global Solo Challenge 2027 Campaign

In October of 2027, Ronnie Simpson will be beginning his second attempt at the Global Solo Challenge sailing race out of Spain. After sailing in the inaugural edition in 2023-24, Ronnie was roughly 80% of the way around the world and sailing in third place out of sixteen boats when he dismasted on his Open 50 Shipyard Brewing. After a year of reflection and soul-searching, he has taken out a bank loan to purchase the Class 40 Koloa Maoli in Portland, Maine. This boat is a well-proven 1st generation Owen-Clarke design that successfully sailed in the first Global Solo Challenge in 2023-24 and serves as an excellent platform to build on for this campaign.

With over 175,000 miles at sea over the past twenty years and a proven racing resumé, Ronnie has the skills, experience and fortitude to mount a very competitive campaign for the next GSC if he can manage to raise the necessary funds. Combined with a unique and inspirational life story as a US Marine who was seriously wounded on the battlefield in Iraq and tying that into a lifelong journey that has culminated in racing solo around the world, Ronnie's campaign is one that stands a real chance at connecting with the American public and creating real value for corporate sponsors.

To drum up that support and fund a competitive campaign, Ronnie has decided to purchase a good older Class 40 which will allow him to get on the water in 2025 and begin preparing for the race while building a community around this campaign that can help get him to the start line. With a vision of a regional sponsorship that unites Maine-based brands and the broader sailing community together to have a real shot at winning the race, Ronnie aims to build a campaign that can create value for sponsors and positively represent Maine and the USA on a global sporting stage. Promoting values of a circular economy, sustainability, environmental stewardship, and Veterans' health and wellness, this campaign aims to be one with an overwhelmingly positive message and reach.

As this campaign gets off the ground during the first year, it's critical to raise money which will help pay operating expenses for the boat for the first sailing season, build a marketing package that's going to sell the campaign to corporate sponsors, and then focus on community outreach, marketing and getting a lot of folks out on the water. The funds that get us through the first season in 2025 will hopefully then raise us the money to conduct a major re-fit for the race and then sail around the world.

Thanks so much for your support,

Ronnie Simpson

Skipper, Koloa Maoli