60 days to the departure for the Extreme Sailing Ant Artic Lab world record attempt
by Ant Arctic Lab 18 Jun 2022 01:50 BST
15 August 2022
Skipper Norbert Sedlacek, Open60AAL Innovation Yachts © Ant Arctic Lab
The countdown has started; Innovation Yachts Open60AAL is now in the water and is ready to sail around the world without assistance through all five oceans, including the Arctic and the Southern Ocean!
After a lot of optimizations and modifications, Innovation Yachts Open60AAL has officially launched on 14th June 2022. This 60 ft long boat was built using volcanic fiber, balsa wood, and harmless epoxy. These materials are fully recyclable and environmentally friendly. Getting closer to the departure date, the Innovation Yachts team is doing final preparations such as sail mounting, mast tuning, and more to this fully electric yacht.
In 60 days from now, skipper Norbert Sedlacek Koch will embark on Innovation Yachts Open60AAL for the extreme world sailing record attempt single handed, nonstop, and without assistance.
Norbert will sail from Les Sables d'Olonne, France course northwest until west of the British islands, then straight up north, arriving the archipelago of Svalbard. He will then go higher in the Arctic, rounding Svalbard from east to west on around 80 degreesN, the course will lead south passing west of Iceland, Acores and Cap Verde Islands to get finally into the Southern Ocean. The challenge will continue straight east, passing the Longitude of Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, Tasmania, Stewart Island, all the way round Antarctica, and finally passing Cape Horn then sailing course north back to Les Sables d'Olonne.
"The Ant Artic Lab project was initiated to testing future pointing, sustainable and fully recyclable yacht building concept which is respecting our environment, the ultimate proof of quality, safety and functionality, and of course setting a new sailing world record. It will be a momentum for all of us to see the performance and durability of this volcanic fibre boat where I believe it can resist the toughest conditions, like collisions with drifting Ice.", said Norbert Sedlacek Koch, Skipper, Founder and Managing Director of Innovation Yachts.
This ultimate challenge will push Norbert to the limit as he will sail for six months dealing with loneliness and frustrations during a distance of about 32.000 nautical miles. He is expected to encounter the most dangerous waters, through ice, stormy waters, the doldrums and many other unknown adventures.
Save the date! The departure is scheduled on 15th August 2022 from Les Sables d'Olonne, the home of the world's only single handed nonstop round the world race, the Vendée Globe. Come meet us there at the departure of the most extreme sailing world record attempt!