Sailor photographer Guido Cantini qualified for solo round-the-world race

Guido Cantini, alone aboard his Vancouver 34, completed the 4,200 non-stop miles needed to qualify for the Golden Globe Race, the non-stop solo round-the-world race on “vintage” hulls with no modern electronic instrumentation. Here is his account.

Guido Cantini, the sailor photographer

Guido Cantini. Surely sailing and boat enthusiasts will remember this name. He is one of Italy’s best sea photographers, winner of prestigious awards (including the Fujifilm Euro Press Photo Awards for best photo in 2005). But he is also a true sailor-with more than 30,000 miles behind him-and he has decided to prove it (as if he needed to!) to himself. How? Signing up for the Golden Globe Race, the nonstop solo round-the-world voyage aboard “vintage” hulls with no electronics on board, devised byadventurer/organizer Don McIntyre.

Cantini (58 years old from Verona), who will not be the only Italian to take part in the GGR (there will also be “Solosailor” Andrea Lodolo) departing in September 2026 from Les Sables d’Olonne, has finished qualifying for the race between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic aboard his Vancouver 34 (10.44 x 3.20 m) Hannah of Cowes. Sailors taking part in this great adventure are required to complete a minimum of 4,000 miles of non-stop solo sailing.

Cantini’s tale: 4,200 miles between Scarlino and Madeira

Here is his account. “I returned to base at marina di Scarlino. The tour, which then for weather reasons was recalibrated to Scarlino – Gibraltar – Lanzarote – Madeira – Porto – Gibraltar – Scarlino, for a total of 4200 miles, gave me all possible conditions up to 40 knots with formed seas up to 4 meters wave. So not extreme, but still very varied in both gaits and intensity of wind and sea. On the other hand I had encountered far more extreme conditions in the past with Hannah of Cowes, this was a “brush up” to keep in training. Hannah has just completed 15,000 miles of sailing since her refit and is in fine shape. I am a little less so. Happy to have completed the qualification but sad that it is over. Looking forward to September 6, 2026. “. Great Guido!

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Video – In the Middle of the Ocean with Guido Cantini

It is worth reposting the nice “live” link from aboard with Cantini as he sailed the Atlantic during the qualification, in which he shows us how he outfitted the boat in detail and tells us his story. We recommend you watch it again; it is stuffed with useful tips for your own cruising as well: