Circumnavigation: Open 60 extreme: Sedlacek's world record attempt started
Tina Kielwein
· 21.07.2019
At 17:16 yesterday, sailing pro Norbert Sedlacek officially set off on his extreme circumnavigation when he crossed the start line - which is also the finish line - in Les Sables d'Olonne, France, in his Open 60 AAL. There he was seen off by supporters, friends and family in perfect weather conditions.
34,000 nautical miles lie ahead of him, which he intends to cover single-handed, non-stop and without outside help over the next seven months.
An extraordinary route with an even more extraordinary boat
From the Vendée Globe jetty in Les Sables d'Olonne, Sedlacek's route now takes him first to Greenland in Baffin Bay and from there through the Northwest Passage. This is followed by a long Pacific route along the two American west coasts, concluding with the first rounding of Cape Horn. After rounding Antarctica, mainly with westerly winds, Cape Horn is to be passed for the second time. On the return journey, the skipper will take the classic south-north Atlantic route and sail around the Azores High back to the home port.
Sedlacek is travelling the route on an extraordinary boat. The Open 60 derivative, specially built for this project by Innovation Yachts, was produced entirely from sustainable and recyclable materials. The "Ant Arctic Lab" project, under whose name the circumnavigation is being conducted, is regarded as the ultimate test of the boat's construction, which uses volcanic fibre and certified balsa wood.
