Cornell, who founded what is now the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) almost four decades ago and subsequently organised several other flotillas around the world, has big plans: Greenland, the Northwest Passage, the North and South Pacific, Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula are on the programme of his new "High Latitude Challenge".
"In recent years, high-latitude voyages have become increasingly popular with sailors interested in more remote destinations. The most challenging of these, the Northwest Passage in the Arctic and, at the other end, the Antarctic Peninsula, recorded the largest number of yacht visits in one year in 2024," says Cornell, explaining what prompted his endeavour.
He himself sailed through the Northwest Passage in 2015. The sea route along the coasts of Canada and Alaska requires careful route planning and intensive preparation by the ship and crew. The same applies to the long ocean passages and the journey into the ice of Antarctica. Cornell acquired the necessary expertise during his time as an active sailor and has written many books and charts for imitators.
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The "High Latitude Challenge" now presented him with the challenge of planning the passages in such a way that an ice-free passage is guaranteed in the north, there is no cyclone season in the Pacific and the summer months can be utilised in Antarctica. The resulting route will therefore begin in Cherbourg in September 2026 for Europeans and in Newport/Rhode Island for Americans.
Open concept: anyone can join or leave at any point along the route
However, Cornell points out that the rally is designed to be open. Participants could join at any point along the route or drop out anywhere. There will be common meeting points in Dutch Harbour before the start of the crossing of the Northwest Passage and also in Ushuaia before the start of the leg via the Drake Passage to Antarctica.
"We are also setting up meeting points at two hubs where good service facilities are available, where participants can use marinas, yacht clubs, shipyards and workshops," says Cornell. "These will be Honolulu in Hawaii and Mar del Plata in Argentina." The rally will then end in Cherbourg again in 2027.
Anyone who wants to take up the challenge can express their interest now by sending an e-mail with the subject line "Challenge" to info@cornellsailing.com. You will then receive a form confirming your authorisation to participate.
