Marina Coruña host port for the Global Solo Challenge 2023

Marina Coruña, A Coruña, Spain © Global Solo Challenge

Organisers of the Global Solo Challenge 2023 are proud to announce that the host port for the start and finish of the event has been secured at Marina Coruña, A Coruña, Spain.

Located in the stunning independent municipality of Galicia, A Coruña and its principle Marina will provide the perfect venue for the GSC 2023. From a nautical point of view, the geographical location of A Coruna is ideal for both the start and the finish of a traditional East-About round the world sailing event.

A start from protected waters

Entrants will start the event from the protected bay waters of Ria da Coruña. After rounding the peninsula of Montealto, where the iconic Tower of Hercules is located, they will quickly be into the prevailing trade winds, passing Cape Finisterre prior to their descent of the Atlantic. The first boats are due to start on September 2nd 2023.

Awe-inspiring scenery

Awe-inspiring scenery, the historic city of A Coruña, stunning local beaches and Galician food and hospitality will provide a unique experience and backdrop for the families, friends and well-wishers of the GSC entrants.

As the entrants tackle the final days of their circumnavigation, the weather systems of the North Atlantic, typically a train of depressions to the north and the Azores high pressure area to the West, conspire to make Galicia in general and A Coruña in particular, a natural point of arrival.

Away from the storms of the Bay of Biscay

The first arrivals are expected from mid-March 2024, though some entrants may arrive towards the end of spring. Meteorologically, starting and finishing the GSC in A Coruna should avoid the worst of the winter storms, which can be particularly fierce in the Bay of Biscay.

Marina Coruña - the ideal partner

Part of the FI Group, Marina Coruña, Mc Varadero and Marina Viveiro provide berthing as well as boat yard services which will be of crucial importance to entrants in their final preparations before the multiple starts of the event.

A Marina Director with incredible experience

Weather, geography and facilities are not the only elements that made this partnership with Marina Coruña so appealing. Marina Director, Roberto Bermúdez de Castro, best known by his nickname 'Chuny', is one of Spain's most famous ocean racers. His tally of seven Volvo Ocean Races over 25 years, including a spectacular win with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing in the 2014-15 edition, has earned him a well-deserved place in that race's history books.

A location that ticks all boxes

For the Global Solo Challenge 2023, A Coruna is undoubtedly an ideal host location for the Event and contributes greatly to what is shaping up to be an incredible mixture of human endeavour, adventure, camaraderie and challenge for all of its entrants.

Find out more at globalsolochallenge.com

Marina Coruña, A Coruña, Spain - photo © Global Solo Challenge