Northern Passage 2010

Ever since the 1500s, Europe has sent expeditions northward to search for a shorter trade route to Asia. These have sailed eastward along the desolate cold coasts of northern Siberia, (Northeast Passage) or westward through the icy waters north of Canada and Alaska (Northwest Passage). Despite much fanfare on departure and their strenuous efforts, few have succeeded in navigating their route to its destination. The obstructing ice has seemed insurmountable – until very recently. Today the Arctic sea ice is retreating. For the first time in modern history, both passages have opened simultaneously. On Midsummer’s Eve, Børge Ousland and Thorleif Thorleifsson sailed from Oslo, in a daring attempt to sail through both the Northwest and Northeast passages during one and the same season.

During the summer of 2010, one of the most notable sea voyages of our time commenced when Børge Ousland and Thorleif Thorleifsson set of to sail through both passages during the same season. They acheived this feat, by using a fast light vessel, and combining Børge’s considerable experience in the arctic ice with Thorleif’s many years as mariner and yachtsman.

Itinerary
Our voyage starts on the quay below Fram Museum, Oslo – and it is also here that our journey ends. During the three summer months of 2010 we will sail 10 000 nautical miles (approx. 18 000 km). Just like Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen before us, we’ll set sail on Midsummer’s Eve.The first leg will take us up along the Norwegian coast to the Russian border.After obtaining official entry into Russia in Murmansk, we’ll set course for the Northeast Passage. On this part of the expedition, a Russian adventurer will be joining us.We expect that Cape Chelyuskin, the northernmost point on the Eurasian mainland, will be a particularly challenging bottleneck. In past years the ice here clears sufficiently to allow passage only around the middle of August.
We will continue eastward across the Bering Strait and along the northern coast of Alaska. In the Northwest Passage a major challenge will be Peel Sound in the far north of Canada, a narrow sound that previously denied ships access to the Passage. Usually this Arctic waterway is open only for a few weeks; we must reach it and pass through before it closes toward the end of September. Our voyage then continues toward Greenland and Iceland, and in the beginning of October we expect to return to Oslo.
All successful expeditions require a strong focus on safety. Thorough preparations, hard training, carefully chosen equipment, and good teamwork are all key elements of this expedition.

Expedition members
Børge has more than 20 years’ experience with record-breaking Arctic and Ant- arctic expeditions. He was the first person to complete a solo expedition to the North Pole without re-supplying, and the first to cross the Antarctic continent alone. He is still the only person to have accomplished both feats. In 2007 he completed the expedition In the Footsteps of Nansen, a gruelling 5000-kilometre voyage from the North Pole to Oslo, via Franz Josef Land. Børge is a renowned photo and film photographer who has received several international awards for his expeditions and films.
Thorleif is a former Naval Officer – a submariner. In the last three decades he has sailed extensively in the North Atlantic, North Sea and Barents Sea. In August 2007 he sailed his yacht to Franz Josef Land to pick up Børge and his expedition partner Thomas Ulrich. Thorleif was the skipper thoughout expedition.

The Boat
The expedition boat, a Corsair 31 trimaran, came strongly recommended by experienced adventurers who have braved the Arctic ice, including Mike Horn. Mike circum- navigated the globe and crossed the Bering Straits with a Corsair; in 2006 he joined Børge on the first successful winter expedition to the North Pole.
The Corsair has repeatedly proven herself; she is fast and very safe. Thanks to her sandwich construction she cannot sink, even if she should become entirely filled with water. The pontoons are easily folded against the main hull, and a cap- sized boat can be turned even in open seas. The boat was specially built; the shipyard has reinforced the hull to withstand whatever punishment the ice could throw at them. The trimaran was equipped with oars, so they could row should the wind subside. The expedition boat was delivered in August 2009.

Helsport congratulates Børge and Thorleif – we are proud to be part of yet another record-breaking Norwegian expedition!
Read more about the expedition on Børge Ouslands webpage – including daily blog posts, pictures and videos.

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