We all enjoy the long summer days for sailing but two adventurers are taking the concept to the max - more daylight but not the kind most of us experience most of the time.
Leaving on 23 June 2010, Norwegian adventurers Borge Ousland and Thorleif Thorleifsson will set sail from Oslo, Norway, towards the North Pole in their Corsair 31UC trimaran. They shall circumnavigate the earth, sailing around the Arctic Ocean and, in the process, through the North West and North East Passages. They will see first hand, what is happening with global warming.
The issue of global warming, and the fact that our voyage passes through some of the least charted waters on Earth, is sure to generate added interest. There is an increasing curiosity about the Arctic and growing efforts to learn more. What will be the impact of climate change? What are the consequences of the surge in oil and gas exploration, and of increased shipping? The rapid diminishment of the Arctic sea ice is a front-page topic, and few people have failed to register that drastic changes are taking place. When we sail the Arctic Ocean, we'll witness everything first hand. Naturally this will have a far stronger impact than satellite imagery or the view from an elevated ship's deck.
As the world attempts to come to terms with the impact of the "massive" BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, that question, "What are the consequences of the surge in oil and gas exploration?" becomes even more pertinent on this expedition.
According to Borge's and Thorleif's publicists, Traffic Konzept:
- The goal is to create a global platform for empowering people to better understand climate change, and take realistic steps towards making a positive contribution/change in their own lives.
- The expedition is a world record attempt to sail both passages of the North Pole in a single voyage. Explorers have failed in this for 400 years because of the polar ice caps. Global warming has now melted them to the point that a voyage is possible.
- Leading the expedition is Norwegian Børge Ousland, who the National Geographic Society calls the greatest explorer of our time. Børge holds several world records for solo/unsupported polar expeditions. He is also an award-winning filmmaker, author and public speaker. Joining him will be veteran sailor Thorleif Tholeifsson.
- The expedition will run from tonight to early October 2010. The craft will be a Corsair 31 trimaran, customised for lightness, speed and durability. It uses wind power only, so it emits no carbon emissions. It will also carry all supplies for the voyage.
The adventurers are now underway in their Corsair 31UC trimaran. For the next three weeks, they will sail along the Norwegian coastline. And then, the real expedition and all the gadgetry and coverage detailed above will begin!
Click here to follow the adventure.
