North Pole Video of C31UC

The C31 goes to the North Pole

At the end of last year, a C31 sailed through the North West and North East Passages of the North Pole in a single voyage. See the video footage.

In 2010, Norwegian adventurers Thorleif Thorleifsson and Borge Ousland chose a Corsair 31UC to sail through both the North West and North East Passages of the North Pole in a single voyage. By doing so, they became the first to circumnavigate the Arctic in a single season - something which explorers have been trying to do for the past 500 years.

To see some amazing footage of this voyage, check out their clip on You Tube.

And for those technology geeks, it also talks about Google Apps and how Borge and Thorleiff were able to keep communicating with the outside world while they were sailing in such a remote location.

If you would like to see more video footage fo their trip, visit their website.

The following is a quote taken from Thorleiff and Borge's presentation, The North Pole Passage, dated May 2010:

Circumnavigating the Earth on the Arctic Ocean in a single summer is an impossible challenge - if you try to do it the traditional way. It would simply take too long. Instead of using a heavy, deep draught steel vessel, like previous expeditions, we have chosen a light and lithe trimaran (the Corsair 31UC). Having a draught of only 40cm, this three hulled sailboat can attain a speed of 20 knots and can easily be pulled onto the shore to avoid pack ice.

...Our boat, a Corsair 31 trimaran, comes strongly recommended by experienced adventurers who have braved the Arctic Ice, including Mike Horn. Mike circumnavigated the globe and crossed the Bering Straits with a Corsair...

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.