We are pleased to announce Michal Krysta as an official entry in the Global Solo Challenge 2027–2028. Michal comes to the event with a lifelong connection to the outdoors and endurance sports, having progressed from competitive whitewater kayaking to mountain and aerial disciplines before turning his focus fully to sailing.
His path toward solo offshore sailing has been shaped by a steady pursuit of self-reliance, technical skill, and personal challenge. The GSC now represents the natural continuation of that journey, aligning with his long-held ambition to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation.
In preparation for the event, Michal plans to acquire and refit an older Class40, making the Global Solo Challenge his primary focus in the coming years. He approaches the project with a clear understanding of its demands—particularly the need for sustained concentration, discipline, and emotional balance over months at sea.
Michal also aims to use his participation to promote values important to him: resilience, responsibility, and environmental respect, while encouraging others to pursue their own goals with determination.
We are delighted to welcome Michal to the GSC and look forward to following his progress as he works toward the 2027 start in Vigo, Spain.
About the Skipper
Name: Michal Krysta
Nationality: CZE
Resides in: Tynec, Czech Republic
Born in: 1984
Miles sailed: 55,000+
michalkrysta.cz
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
My passion for sailing didn’t just appear out of nowhere it grew out of everything I’ve done throughout my life. Since I was a kid, I was always on the water my parents bought me a kayak, I trained on the river behind our house, and through whitewater kayaking I made it all the way to the national team and to a silver medal at the World Championships.
Over time, mountains and paragliding joined the mix, but it was always about the same thing: being outdoors, in nature, experiencing freedom, and pushing my limits. I had my first experience with a sailboat as a boy on a pond. From that moment on, I dreamed of a big adventure at sea.
Sailing completely captured me when I realised it combines everything I love water, wind, technique, endurance, and mental strength.
It’s simply the next step of the same lifelong passion: to be in nature as much as possible, on the edge but with respect and always looking beyond the horizon…
What lessons has sailing taught you?
There have been many lessons and I’m sure many more are still to come. Sailing is a never-ending learning process for me and that’s what I love about it the most.
Solo sailing teaches me above all to work with myself and with my own mind. It shows me that the limits we think we have are actually very fluid and most of them exist only in our heads.
The sea is a great and often harsh teacher.
What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
Single-handed sailing is the most demanding discipline — highly complex in many ways. I’ve always enjoyed pushing myself forward and learning new things. Secondly, it’s the desire for adventure and the chance to truly get to know myself.
What motivated you to sign up for this event?
I’m a lazy person by nature, and I need to have constant goals and challenges in front of me. I’ve been dreaming about a solo circumnavigation of the globe for many years.
How are you planning to prepare for this event?
The Global Solo Challenge is my main and only goal for the upcoming period, and I will focus all my efforts on ensuring that both I and my boat are as well-prepared as possible.
What do you think will be the greatest challenge?
The biggest challenge will be staying focused, disciplined, and emotionally balanced for such a long time at sea. The entire GSC project is a major challenge in itself, and the first real milestone will be simply standing on the start line. And the second one will be crossing the finish line.
Tell us about your boat or the boat you would like to have.
For next season, I’m planning to buy an older Class 40, which I will start preparing for the race over the course of the year.
Do you intend to associate your personal challenge with a social cause?
I believe that a challenge of this scale should carry a message beyond the sporting achievement itself. I want to highlight the importance of resilience, responsibility, and respect for the environment. At the same time, I hope to inspire people to step out of their comfort zones and pursue their own goals, no matter how distant or difficult they may seem.
Is there anything you would like to add?
I definitely want to express my deep gratitude for all the support I’ve been receiving over the long term. I truly appreciate every bit of help — from friends to major partners — without whom a project like this would not be possible. Thank you so much!
Sailing Experience
Globe 5.80 Transat.
World Championship RS21.
Multiple crossings of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea.
GSC 2027 Entries
Skipper Boat Name Boat Nat. Start
01. Chris Stanmore-Major #Visit Canada Open 60 GBR tba
02. Peter Bourke Imagine Open 40 USA tba
03. Jonathan Massingill tba (Class40) USA tba
04. Marek Lipinski Kowalski Taling 32 POL tba
05. Piotr Czarniecki Atom Pasja 10 POL tba
06. Jérôme Delire MASAÏ Class40 #109 BEL tba
07. Brian Gray Kawan 3 Class40 #75 USA tba
08. Sam Glover tba (Class40) GBR tba
09. Fraser Flight Caribeira Class40 #18 GBR/ZWE tba
10. Marcello Queirolo IAIAI Elan 37 ITA tba
11. Sylvain Canet Wild Boréal 44.2 FRA tba
12. Dealtry Pickford Metric 4t Class40 #OCD ZAF tba
13. Ivan Dimov Blue Ibis Endurance 37 BGR tba
14. Pablo Gonzalez Parodi Gryphon Class40 #106 URY/USA tba
15. Ronnie Simpson Koloa Maoli Class40 #15 USA tba
16. Juan Merediz Waypoint Class40 #69 ESP tba
17. Christophe Bogrand Sterec Bleu Tocade 50 FRA tba
18. Ross Hubbard Sea Bear Panda 38 USA tba
19. Lloyd Davey Taqua II Borealis GBR tba
20. Michal Krysta tba (Class40) CZE tba