Two days to departure: Austrian skipper attempts an Extreme Sailing World's First

Norbert Sedlacek Koch storage equipment on board of Open60AAL Innovation Yachts shipyard project ANT ARCTIC LAB © Innovation Yachts

For the 5th time, Skipper, Founder, and Managing Director of Innovation Yachts, Norbert Sedlacek Koch is attempting to become the first sailor ever to sail around the world; Single handed, non-stop, and without assistant through all five oceans; among those are the Arctic and Antarctic Ocean!

Only 2 days to go! Storage stuff is done!

So therefore, everybody is concentrated on the fair winds party this evening which will be very familiarly with family, friends and partners.

Tomorrow we will slow down a bit and take a few hours in private before the big departure on Sunday 10.30 a.m.

Weather forecast is optimistic, there will be north-westerly wind with around 15knts and some swell.

Meet you on the Vendée Globe Ponton in Les Sables d'Olonne Sunday morning, from which I'll take off at 10.30 a.m. and then: "let's go!"

Two days from now, Norbert Sedlacek Koch will depart for his extreme sailing world record attempt - project ANT ARCTIC LAB.

The departure is set on 6th August 2023 from Les Sables d'Olonne, France and will cover a distance of at least 32.000 nautical miles. The challenge will take around 200 days at sea single handed, non-stop, and without assistant through all five oceans including the Arctic and Antarctic Ocean.

And as if that wasn't enough, Norbert's IY Open6oAAL Innovation Yachts sailing yacht is also fully sustainable and recyclable AND uses only renewable energy from hydro-generators and solar panels!

No fossil fuels such as diesel, petrol or gas are required!

This unique, high-performed Open60 is built from future pointing volcanic fiber, balsa wood and bio-sourced resin.

With this world record attempt Innovation Yachts, which this year was honoured with the Ocean Tribute Award 2023 from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation will show that a much cleaner yacht production that respects our environment is not only possible, this challenge will also push the limits of sustainable yacht building!

"The nautical ship building industry has a major role in encouraging respect for the environment and in producing clean products and technologies. Our philosophy is taking a clean approach to the design and construction of our yachts and boats," says Norbert.

This ultimate challenge will push Norbert to his limits as he will sail for six months dealing with loneliness and frustrations alone and non-stop at sea. He is expected to encounter the most dangerous waters, through ice, stormy waters, the doldrums and many other unknown adventures.

Nonetheless, sailing has become a part of this 61-year-old skipper and founder of Innovation Yachts.

The former waiter and Vienna's tram driver has been devoting himself in sailing world for more than 30 years.

Between 1996 and 1998 Norbert became the first Austrian sailor to circumnavigate single-handed the world, in 2000-2001 he was the first Austrian sailor to circumnavigate Antarctica non-stop, and in 2009 Norbert became the first German speaking Skipper who finished the world's most extreme sailing race, the Vendée Globe.

Save the date!

We hope to meet you at the departure of the most extreme sailing world record attempt on 6th August 2023, in Les Sables d'Olonne!