The Skipper

Israeli sailor Daniel Pinsky is an experienced liveaboard and ocean cruiser with more than 20,000 nautical miles logged across the Mediterranean, Atlantic, Caribbean, and beyond. His lifelong connection to the sea began at age 14 at the Maritime Boarding School in Akko, where he progressed from dinghies to offshore training yachts before earning his skipper’s license.

Following service in the Israeli Navy’s Coast Guard, Daniel combined his maritime background with mechanical engineering studies and civilian port work, while continuing to sail extensively throughout the eastern Mediterranean.

In 2016, Daniel purchased and refitted Asterix, an Endeavour 38, which became both his home and ocean-going base for nearly a decade. Between 2021 and 2024, he completed a full Atlantic circuit aboard Asterix, sailing from Israel through the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, Central and South America, and back to Europe — mentoring other aspiring cruisers along the way.

Now preparing for the 2026 Golden Globe Race, Daniel has purchased Exodus, a Baba 35 built in 1980, currently undergoing refit in the Caribbean and France ahead of her solo circumnavigation. With his extensive offshore experience, technical knowledge, and passion for seamanship, Daniel embodies the spirit of adventure and endurance that defines the Golden Globe Race.

Why the GGR?

Ever since I was a teenager, the sea has been my home — a place that challenges, humbles, and inspires me. After years of voyaging across oceans, the Golden Globe Race feels like the natural next step — the ultimate test of everything I’ve learned and everything I am.

For me, it’s not just about the competition; it’s about meaning. I want to represent Israel on the world stage, to remind people that even from a small country facing difficult times, we can still dream big and pursue greatness.

The GGR is more than a race — it’s a journey inward. Months alone at sea, without modern technology, force you to confront yourself in the purest way possible. I want to explore those limits — to see who I become when there’s nothing left but the wind, the waves, and willpower.

Ultimately, I hope my story will inspire others to chase their own dreams, no matter how far away they seem.

Since 2018, when the original Golden Globe race from 1968 was revived, the thought of participating in it has been on my mind. Back then, I didn’t have the experience, skills, or maturity that I have today, but now I feel that my time has come. All the dots have connected to form a single line pointing to the starting line in France.

Best and worst aspects

I think the best part of the 2026 GGR will be the moment I finally set sail and leave everything behind — when the land disappears on the horizon and it’s just me, the boat, and the ocean. That’s the moment I dream about — when I’ll feel completely free and connected to the sea, as so many sailors before me did, like Bernard Moitessier and Robin Knox-Johnston.

The hardest part, I believe, will come before that moment — the hectic weeks leading up to the start. The pressure, the endless preparations, the uncertainty, and the race against time to make sure everything is ready. Once I cross the start line, the chaos will quiet, and the real journey will begin.

The Boat

Daniel chose the Baba 35 for her proven ocean-going pedigree, traditional full-keel design, and renowned strength. Built in 1980 and designed by Robert Perry, Exodus offers the right balance of seaworthiness, comfort, and manageability for a solo circumnavigation — a classic yacht well suited to the demands of the Golden Globe Race.

Boat Name	Exodus
Boat Type	Baba 35
Designer	Robert H. Perry
Builder	Ta Shing Yacht Building Co. (Taiwan)
LOA	35.00ft / 10.67m
LWL	29.17ft / 8.89m
Beam	11.50ft / 3.51m
Draft	5.50ft / 1.68m
Displacement	19,500 lbs / 8,845 kg
Sail Area	667 sq. ft / 61.97 sq. m

In October 2025, I bought Exodus, a 1980 Baba 35. Together, we have ten months to prepare for the race of our lives. This race is one of the most difficult and longest challenges imaginable. Although I am going to do it alone, without your support, my chances of success are much lower. I invite you to follow, join the community, support, and hopefully see the Israeli flag raised at the finish line. 🇮🇱