United Kingdom – 7/26/2022 – by GSC – David Linger from Seattle is the 4th American to sign up for the Global Solo Challenge, the 11th Class40/Open40 in the fleet, which is proving to be a popular choice of boat in the event. Previous entries from the US have been Peter Bourke of Rhode Island, Colin Bastable of Texas, and the youngest entry so far in the GSC, Gardner LaMaurice of Virginia, who is 25 years old.
David had been in touch with the organisers for some time and recently took the big leap to buy “Koloa Maoli”, an Owen Clarke Design Class40 built by Jazz Marine formerly known as “Bolands Mills”. Inspired by his sailing heroes and by his lifelong dream of a solo circumnavigation the right time and planets alignment has come for David to be able to undertake this great adventure. The number of entries keeps growing and there’s still a few that may enter and as one of the participants recently put it, even if just half of the entries made it to the start the GSC would be a tremendous success. We are very please to have hit the nail with the format and spirit for this event and hope to grow it organically and sustainably over the years.
Interview
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
As A Lifetime sailor all my hero’s growing up were all adventurers and or Sailors. Chichester, Colas, Tabarly. Great adventurers and sailors who innovated and did amazing things!
What lessons have you learned from sailing?
Teamwork and resourcefulness are required to get boats across oceans, if something breaks or stops working you have to come up with a workable solution to get the job done.
What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
Being able to problem solve and do the job “your own way” and get the boat safely from a to b intact.
What prompted you to sign up for this event?
It was the combination of the right course at the right time in my life, to be able to make a trip around our planet!
How do you plan to prepare for this event?
Well I will sail “Koloa Maoli” this summer to begin to learn the boat then do the long distance solo qualifying voyage. A re-fit this winter for some comfort mods and system upgrades. I’ve started on the “Safety at Sea” requirements and will be meeting the first aid requirements over the winter.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge?
Getting to the start line is of course a really big challenge in its own but leaving Spain at the start will be huge! Off into a great big unknown!
Tell us about your boat or the boat you would like to have.
I now own a Class 40! USA #15 Koloa Maoli, Ex “Bolands Mill” and it’s a new boat to me so a bit of a learning curve to get up to speed! My friends and I will sail the boat this summer/fall to get a feel for what needs to be updated for the Global Solo Challenge (a small heat source, and a water-maker come to mind!)
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Looking forward to an amazing adventure with a large and diverse group of sailors with a shared goal of a trip around the great Capes!
Sailing experience
20.000+ Miles sailed. Currently racing Six Meter class sailboats locally and Internationally and supporting racers in the Race to Alaska “R2AK” with race preparation and support.
About the Boat
Boat name: Koloa Maoli
Project: Jazz Marine Class 40 (Owen Clarke Design)
Sail number: USA 15
Year: 2006
LOA: 40ft
Displacement: 4500kgs
Upwind sail area: 115m2
Downwind sail area: 250m2
