BILL MACBRIEN AND PHOENIX QUALIFIED FOR THE GLOBAL SOLO CHALLENGE

29th June 2023

At 1600h local time, Bill arrived in Cherbourg France having completed the required 2,000 nautical mile single-handed qualification demanded of each entrant ahead of the Global Solo Challenge (GSC).

His departure point was A Coruna in north west Spain, the start/finish port of the GSC. Some sail damage, during a strong weather front, forced a brief stopover in Ponta Delgada on the Azorean island of Sao Miguel. The damaged sails were old and somewhat weakened by high-mileage, a complete new set of sails will be delivered in September ready for the GSC.

From Ponta Delgada, Bill sailed Phoenix north east, rounding Ushant and up the busy English Channel to Cherbourg.

With these solo qualifying days and miles achieved, Bill is delighted with the boat and is even more motivated by the challenge of the GSC.

The boat is now at the V1D2 yard in Caen for a period of detailed checking/servicing of the mast, rigging, hull, keel and rudders and should be relaunched by the end of August for Bill to recommence his training onboard.