Circumnavigating the North Pole in One Short Season

[Oyvind]

A Norwegian yacht with a crew of three is currently attempting a single-season circumnavigation of the North Pole. They cast off from northern Norway on July 28, and are as of this writing carefully picking their way through the drift ice labyrinth of the North East Passage.

The expedition is done on a shoestring; their total budget is around NOK 50 000. Thats's just north of $ 8 000, and they have no major sponsors.

The yacht, RX II, has been kindly lent to the expedition by its owner, Mr. Lars Ingeberg, whose aim with the boat is to each year lend it to sailors whom otherwise would not have the resources fulfill their dream. Mr. Ingeberg, at a young age, saw his own sailing dreams come true through RX II, and this is his way of letting others take part in that experience.

A declaration of interest is perhaps in place: When I first heard of this voyage I thought it was a wonderful and exciting adventure. However, with everything that was published about the expedition being in Norwegian only, I thought it was a great pity that their story would not reach a greater international audience. I have therefore volunteered to translate the crew's blog and other articles into English. I gain absolutely NO financial benefits from this work, BTW, nor is that my intention.

Anyways, I've previously started a thread on the expedition over at the Woodenboat Forum, where I've published my translations of all the expeditions' blogs, ice forecasts and select articles. Everything I translate is also being published in English at the expedition's home page: RX II – News in english - SEILmagasinet online

The RX II also has a tracker on board. You may follow their progress here:
SPOT Shared Page

[GordMay]

Arctic Solo Sail: Voyage through the northwest passage
➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ail-25783.html

Tommy D. Cook is* solo sailing from Minnesota to Alaska, via the Northwest Passage. He’s currently heading North along the coast of Labrador.

Follow Tommy's exploits at:
➥ Arctic Solo Sail: Voyage through the northwest passage

[slomotion]

See also:

For the first time in human history, the North Pole can be circumnavigated - Climate Change, Environment - The Independent