Arctic Ocean World Record Challenge

Chinese sailor Guo Chuan, who holds a world record of solo non-stop circumnavigation in a 40ft yacht, will be leading a team to set a record transiting the Northeast Passage.

Acquiring Francis Joyon’s 97ft trimaran IDEC, Chuan will start the Arctic Ocean world record challenge on September 3 from the northern Russian port of Murmansk, sailing “Qingdao China” non-stop to the finish line at the Bering Strait.

If the challenge is successful, Chuan will set the first world record of non-stop sailing with a team along the Arctic Northeast route. The journey is expected to be completed within two weeks.

Joining Chuan is the immensely talented navigator Boris Herrmann from Germany along with experiencd crew Jochen Krauth and Quentin Monegier from France. Also included is Sergei Nizovtsev, who has earned his nationwide fame in Russia as an exploring legend. Lastly, Tim Frank from Germany will be on board as the media crew designated to document the voyage.

A weekly video series produced by award-winning director Stewart Binns will follow along. Here is the series timeline:

August 18: Departure footage from Brittany, France
August 25: Arrival into Kirkenes, Norway
September 3: Departure from Murmansk, Russia
September 10: Arctic Ocean halfway update
September 17/18: Arctic Ocean finish

Additional details here.