Daniel Pinsky Becomes First Israeli to Sail in Solo Golden Globe Race
Daniel Pinsky, 35, has become the first Israeli sailor to compete in the Golden Globe Race, a grueling nine-month, non-stop solo voyage around the world using retro 1960s navigation technology.
A Journey Back to the 1960s
Daniel Pinsky, a 35-year-old sailor from Ariel, set sail on Sunday from Les Sables-d'Olonne in western France, embarking on one of the most extreme maritime challenges on Earth. Pinsky is the first Israeli to participate in the prestigious Golden Globe Race, a grueling solo, non-stop, unassisted round-the-world sailing competition.
The race is designed to replicate the conditions of the historic 1968 event. Competitors sail on older, production-style yachts, navigating solely with paper charts and sextants. Modern technology, including GPS, digital charts, and satellite communication systems like Starlink, is strictly prohibited for navigation.
Pinsky is making the voyage aboard "Exodus," a 1980 Baba 35 sailboat that he spent months preparing for the journey. If all goes according to plan, he will spend approximately nine months alone at sea before returning to the finish line in France.
Shortly before departing, Pinsky shared his thoughts on social media:
"After months of preparations, repairs, crossings, tests, fatigue, questions, decisions, and days chasing days, Exodus and I are standing on the starting line of the Golden Globe Race 2026. A solo race around the world. No stops. No help. No GPS. No modern technology. Just me, the boat, maps, a sextant, wind, and a lot of ocean for about nine months."
Safety and Survival in the Deep Ocean
While the retro rules of the race prohibit modern navigation, a modern safety net remains active. The boats are equipped with satellite tracking systems that transmit their locations to race organizers and the public for safety monitoring. Pinsky also carries a satellite phone, emergency beacons, and a life raft for extreme emergencies.
However, Pinsky previously noted that in the remote areas of the Southern Ocean, rescue operations can take days, with the nearest commercial vessel often being the only hope for assistance.
Provisioning for nine months is another monumental task. Pinsky loaded "Exodus" with non-perishable canned and dry foods, as fresh food will spoil quickly. Fresh water is strictly rationed for drinking, requiring him to collect rainwater along the way and bathe using seawater.
For entertainment, Pinsky will rely on a cassette player and old tapes, having packed a collection of Israeli music to break the silence of the ocean. He also brought a physical family photo album to help him through the most difficult moments of isolation.
A Lifelong Passion for the Sea
Pinsky's maritime journey began at age 14 when he left home to study at the Officers School of the Merchant Marine in Acre. By age 23, he purchased his first small sailboat, turning what was meant to be a one-year sailing trip into a permanent lifestyle. Over the years, he has crossed oceans and logged tens of thousands of nautical miles.
Despite his extensive experience, his family found his decision difficult to accept. Pinsky shared:
"My mother took it very hard because, in the end, this is truly dangerous and life-threatening. She cried quite a bit on the phone, begging me to drop it, but this is my life and my passion, so I don't plan on giving up."
One of his greatest challenges will be sleep management. Near coastlines, Pinsky sets an alarm every 20 minutes to monitor his surroundings, and even in the open ocean, continuous full-night sleep is impossible. He faces his toughest test in the Southern Ocean, where violent weather, gale-force winds, and massive waves await his 35-foot vessel.
