Luca Tosi, 35 years old from Venice, Italy, is the first skipper to enter the Global Solo Challenge in the newly created Super-Zero Group for boats rated 1.091 to 1.250. This is the fastest group, admitting a variety of performance boats including Class40s, albeit with some limitations: given the event entry restrictions, only early production vintage Class40s such as Akilarias RC1 and Pogo 40S will be allowed. Luca already has his blue eyes set on participating on a Class40 with the goal of becoming the second person to complete a circumnavigation, single-handed and unassisted, on a Class40, and the first to do so during an organised event.
Although Joe Harris completed a circumnavigation on a Class40 single-handed, he was forced to make two stops for repairs. The late Guo Chuan remains the only person to have completed the voyage non-stop on a Class40, taking 137 days and 20 hours. His record is still the official reference time to beat as recorded by the WSSRC.
A further two attempts have made: the first by the Italian Matteo Miceli who, despite rounding the three capes, encountered structural issues a few thousand miles from reaching his goal when he lost his keel. The second attempt was by Gaetano Mura, who retired in Australia following incessant autopilot problems.
Luca Tosi has sailed in the Mini Transat 2009 and the Quebec-St.Malò 2012 on the Open 50 Vento di Sardegna. He has attempted records on 20′ open sports catamarans both solo and double handed and has competed in other races such as the 500×2, the Middle Sea Race, the Loro Piana superyacht regatta and the Beblue.com regatta. His quest to find a suitable boat has begun.
But let’s hear from the good-humoured, blond-bearded adventurer himself!
Interview
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
I’m working with a therapist to try to understand that, but for the moment it remains something of a mystery.
What lessons have you learnt from sailing?
“Non dire gatto se non ce l’hai nel sacco” (proverb equivalent to “Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched!”)
What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
I imagined it as an intimate and spiritual voyage deep into the circle of life.
What prompted you to sign up for this event?
I think it’s a good way – a smart way – to achieve my solo round-the-world sailing dream.
How do you plan to prepare for this event?
Sailing, yard work and training.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge?
To be “ready” at the starting line.
Tell us about your boat or the boat you would like to have?
I’m looking for a Class40.
Do you intend to link this personal challenge with a social message?
I would love to share this project with special people.
Luca’s sailing milestones
- Mini Transat 2009
- Quebec-St.Malò 2012 (Open 50)
- 1/2 Atlantic records on a 20′ sport catamaran
- 500×2 Race
- Middle Sea Race
- Loro Piana superyacht regatta
- Beblue.com regatta
View Luca Tosi’s profile page
