Please select your home edition
Edition
Ocean Safety 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Edouard de Keyser starts Global Solo Challenge

by Global Solo Challenge 18 Sep 13:53 BST 17 September 2023

Yesterday, Sunday, September 17th, marked the departure of Edouard de Keyser, the only Belgian skipper entered in the Global Solo Challenge.

Originally scheduled for Saturday, the departure was postponed to allow the team to complete some last-minute work, more easily done with the boat moored at the dock. In addition, weather conditions were unfavorable, and fatigue had accumulated during last week's preparations. The Solarwind team worked tirelessly throughout Saturday to allow Édouard to set off more relaxed on his long journey.

Édouard, to realize his project, truly put into practice his belief that "with the energy of dreams, mountains can be moved." Aboard his Solaire 34 'SolarWind', a prototype designed by the French architect David Reard and built in wood and epoxy resin by Jacques Riguidel, he aims to sail around the world without using fossil fuels. "For me, sailing embodies a dual virtue: freedom and respect for the planet. I have embraced these values since my beginnings in boating. One can travel differently, without leaving a carbon footprint and without resorting to motor-sailing, even if it means slowing down and accepting some discomfort. I want to demonstrate that it's possible to tackle even great challenges, like a round-the-world journey, while simultaneously preserving the environment."

During a live social media broadcast, De Keyser stated, "I chose to delay my departure mainly due to technical issues on the boat that had not been fully resolved. I was very tired yesterday and had to make a decision; after examining the weather systems and my to-do list, I preferred to delay by 24 hours."

Marco Nannini, the event organiser, clarified, "The organization sets a departure date for competitors based on boat performance. If a competitor feels that their personal conditions, such as pre-departure stress or fatigue, or boat conditions, such as the need for additional work to ensure safety and reliability, warrant a departure delay, this option is available. Moreover, no penalty is applied, as stipulated by the GSC Regulations. A few hours of rest and technical review can save competitors days as otherwise, in case of a boat pulling into port along the route due to damage, they would be subject to a four-day penalty. On a journey around the world that will last about six months for Édouard, a day's delay is negligible. I, therefore, believe his decision was wise."

Hours before the departure, the sky was cloudy, and an easterly wind was blowing at 20-25 knots, stronger than predicted. The weather situation was complicated by a cyclone just off the Iberian Peninsula. Édouard chose to wait for the worst of this depression to pass, selecting a more favorable weather window for his departure. Waiting too long would have forced him to face headwinds from the west and the risk of being stuck in a calm zone in the coming days. Thanks to the postponed departure, the skipper avoided Saturday's storms and will find himself west of the depression center just a few hours into his journey, off Finisterre, heading south with diminishing sea and wind, making his initial days of navigation more manageable."

The organization's RIB, with another competitor from the Global Solo Challenge, Dave Linger, and a cameraman on board, accompanied Édouard in his first miles of navigation, which will see him away from land for about six months. Unfortunately, many of his supporters had already left to return to Belgium.

In the days leading up to the departure, in La Coruña, Princess Esmeralda of Belgium was also present, supporting the sailor. De Keyser's project provided an opportunity for institutional meetings between Spanish and Belgian authorities. The Mayor of La Coruña welcomed the Princess in an informal meeting at the City Hall, where sports and the environment were discussed. The Global Solo Challenge thus becomes an occasion to build bridges at the institutional level between different countries and cultures, with the participation of skippers from eleven different nationalities.

Princess Esmeralda of Belgium wanted to dedicate a message to wish the skipper a good journey: "I share with Édouard De Keyser values such as solidarity, sobriety, and the protection of our planet, especially the oceans which are threatened by pollution, plastic, and overfishing. I also admire his determination in realizing his dreams. I believe it is essential to discuss this sports project in Belgium and elsewhere to inspire young people and encourage them to care for the environment, realize their dreams and passions, and maintain hope. I wish Édouard to set sail on Sunday for an incredible journey through the beauty of the oceans... and to realize his childhood dream. We will all follow him from afar with admiration!"

From Belgium, Édouard's family follows and supports him from home.

Before his departure, Édouard thanked all the partners, his team, his family, and the GSC organization for their support and stated: "I know there will be tough times because I've already sailed solo a lot, but I also know there will be moments when I will have fun. I have invested all my resources and energy into this project and will do my best to make this dream come true. Thank you all for your help and enthusiasm!"

The second half of this month of September promises to be full of events and emotions: the departures of two more French skippers are scheduled. Louis Robein on September 23 and Philippe Delamare on September 30.

To follow Solarwind's route, the tracker is available at globalsolochallenge.com/tracker

Related Articles

Global Solo Challenge: Robein's departure delayed
Technical issues aboardhis boat "Le souffle de la mer III" Reaching the starting line is often the most challenging phase of a project. French skipper Louis Robein, an entry in the Global Solo Challenge, is no exception. Posted today at 11:10 am
Global Solo Challenge: Two out
Ongoing preparations for the rest Less than a month after departure, Dafydd Hughes, the only Welsh skipper on his first solo round-the-world voyage aboard the Bendigedig, an S&S 34', is less than 200 miles from the equator. Posted on 20 Sep
Édouard De Keyser awaits second departure
The only Belgian skipper entered in the Global Solo Challenge The departure of Édouard De Keyser, the only Belgian skipper entered in the Global Solo Challenge, is scheduled for Saturday, September 16th at 3:00 pm local time (1:00 pm UTC). He will be followed by two other French skippers on September 30th. Posted on 15 Sep
Nadvorni's Espresso Martini winning cocktail
The name reveals much about the life philosophy of this Bulgarian skipper It's likely that Dafydd will slow down a bit as he faces the challenges of the Doldrums and looks for the best route south beyond the Saint Helena high-pressure system. Posted on 11 Sep
Dafydd Hughes, two weeks at sea
Favorable conditions and impeccable strategy in the Global Solo Challenge The first competitor of the Global Solo Challenge, Dafydd Hughes, set off from A Coruña nearly two weeks ago. The weather conditions have been favorable so far, but it's also worth noting that his navigation has been impeccable. Posted on 8 Sep
Dafydd Hughes sets sail on Global Solo Challenge
The Welsh skipper starts aboard his S&S 34 Bendigedig Today 26th August 2023, at 15:00 local time (13:00 UTC), the Welsh skipper Dafydd Hughes, aboard his S&S 34 Bendigedig, crossed the starting line, embarking on his solo, non-stop journey around the world. Posted on 27 Aug
Dafydd Hughes kicks off the Global Solo Challenge
The wait is nearly over: the first of several starting guns is set to go off Nearly three years have passed since the launch of the Global Solo Challenge (GSC), which was first announced in December 2020. Posted on 25 Aug
Australia's sole Global Solo Challenge entrant
Kevin Le Poidevan will set off in the Global Solo Challenge on 28 October The race is an East-about, solo, non-stop, and unassisted, pursuit style round-the-world event, starting and finishing in A Coruña, North West Spain. Posted on 23 Aug
Bendigedig, the S&S 34 of Dafydd Hughes
The only Welsh skipper participating in the Global Solo Challenge Dafydd Hughes, the only Welsh skipper participating in the Global Solo Challenge, is preparing to embark on his voyage aboard Bendigedig, a Sparkman and Stephens 34 (S&S 34) — a boat that has become a widely recognised symbol of solo adventures. Posted on 22 Aug
Ice in their veins
Canadian and the Finnish Sailors preparing for the Global Solo Challenge As the thrilling, salt-sprayed drama of the Global Solo Challenge (GSC) unfurls, we take an in-depth look at two intriguing entrants. Posted on 18 Aug