About

Ronnie Simpson

Ronnie Simpson is a 40 year old professional racing sailor from the United States of America who aims to sail in the 2027 Global Solo Challenge race. Recently, Ronnie was the skipper of the Open 50 Shipyard Brewing which competed in the first-ever GSC in 2023-24. Sailing in a strong third place for most of the race, Ronnie unfortunately dismasted off of Argentina in February 2024 and Shipyard Brewing was lost at sea. Having completed 80% of a singlehanded racing circumnavigation and rounding all of the three great capes including Cape Horn, Ronnie’s resolve to race in and complete the Global Solo Challenge is now only stronger. To that effect, Ronnie purchased Class 40 #15 ‘Koloa Maoli’ in early 2025 to mount another campaign for the Global Solo Challenge.

As a combat-wounded and medically retired US Marine and Iraq war veteran who has sailed more than 175,000 miles at sea, Ronnie is proud to use his sailing efforts to raise both funds and awareness for US Patriot Sailing, a 501c3 Veterans’ sailing non-profit organization. Ronnie credits sailing with saving his life and believes in the inspirational and therapeutic benefit of finding purpose through sailing.

Since discovering sailing at the age of 23, Ronnie has found a livelihood and a lifestyle through the sport. Ronnie has worked professionally as a racing sailor, delivery captain, charter captain, yacht broker, sailboat rigger and racing yacht preparateur. He also has an extensive career and experience as an award-winning sailing journalist, writer, media professional and drone pilot who has covered yacht races around the world. As well as racing and working in the industry for more than 15 years, Ronnie has lived on a handful of sailboats and has cruised to the South Pacific on multiple occasions, including a two-year stint living and working in Fiji. He now lives in Portland, Maine after arriving there during his first Global Solo Challenge campaign. He lives wit his partner Marisa, and still works in the marine industry and also owns a small business working in home energy efficiency and sustainability.