Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts Leaderboard 2024 3

Bob Beggs - 'Against the Floe' Arctic Challenge

by Jeremy Greenaway on 21 Mar 2008
The circumnavigation route-1 'Against the Floe' Arctic Challenge http://www.againstthefloe.com/
Round-the-World yacht race skipper Bob Beggs is on course for the start of the toughest sailing challenge left – a polar circumnavigation of the North American continent, and transit of the North West Passage from Atlantic to Pacific under sail power alone.

Bob, skipper of the victorious Bristol Clipper in the 2001 Times Clipper round-the-world race, unveiled his plans at a media launch in Plymouth today (Wednesday March 19) together with the first hull of the 8.4m (29ft) catamaran in which he will set out from the Devon city in early June.

While several small craft have completed the dangerous passage through ice floes and fierce storms, they have all relied on engine power. Bob regards the light but immensely strong and well-tried catamaran design as ideal for the 20,000-mile voyage.

As well as sailing to victory in the Clipper race, he has won his class in both the Single-Handed and Two-Handed Trans Atlantic Yacht Races sailing similar Dazcats, designed by Darren Newton, of Millbrook in Cornwall.

The project is being supported by several major British marine companies and has been titled ‘Against The Floe’ as the transit through the North West Passage will be against the prevailing currents.

Bob, together with his two-man crew, will have a weather and ice window of less than 12 weeks to sail from Plymouth to Greenland and onwards to transit the North West Passage into the Beaufort Sea.

They will be following in the wake of several world-famous explorers who set out from Plymouth in search of a northern route to the orient including Sir Francis Drake, Capt Cook, Sir Martin Frobisher, and the ill-fated Admiral Sir John Franklin.

The existence of the North West Passage was not even confirmed until just over a century ago, when Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen completed an east-west transit after an epic three-year voyage.

‘Not only could this be a double world first, but - ironically - a last as well,’ says Bob. ‘We are racing against climate change to complete what up to now has been the impossible voyage under sail, and to really raise awareness of how the polar ice is melting so quickly.’



Web: www.againstthefloe.com/

Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignRooster 2025Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER

Related Articles

Foiling Sport Congress gathers global players
To shape the Future of Foiling Last week, Malcesine hosted the first-ever Foiling Sport Congress — a by-invitation event organised to foster an in-depth discussion on the current state and future developments of foiling across all disciplines.
Posted today at 5:59 am
OK Dinghy Europeans at Warnemünde day 2
Charlie Cumbley leads at the half-way stage Britain's Charlie Cumbley holds a two-point lead at the half-way stage of the 2025 OK Dinghy European Championship in Warnemünde, Germany, after two more races were held on Monday.
Posted today at 4:14 am
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 3
The best female wave sailors in the world showcase their skills on the global stage After the men had taken centre stage for the opening two days of the 2025 Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup, today was the day for the best female wave sailors in the world to showcase their skills on the global stage.
Posted today at 4:11 am
Transpac Onboard Episode 4
Anything Can Happen at Sea All Transpac 2025 competitors are now at sea and actively racing to Hawaii. We take a look at the Pasha Live Race Tracker and talk about the significant wind hole confronting a contingent of competitors.
Posted today at 3:06 am
Stops & re-starts in first two legs of AEGEAN 600
A tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades After a beautiful breezy start yesterday, but a tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades, at the end of today's daylight the AEGEAN 600 fleet is back on the move.
Posted on 7 Jul
Helsinki Welcomes Top Double-Handed Teams
For the 2025 Garmin ORC DH European Championship The countdown is over - the 2025 Garmin ORC Double-Handed Europeans has officially begun in Helsinki. Organised by the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) in collaboration with Helsingfors Segelklubb (HSK) and the Finnish Offshore Sailing Association.
Posted on 7 Jul
British Classic Week Day 1
Northerly winds gusting 22 knots make for a brisk start Day one at British Classic Week in Cowes saw fast-paced racing around the cans sponsored by Spirit Yachts for over 50 classic and modern classic yachts.
Posted on 7 Jul
International Moth Worlds Opening Ceremony
137 sailors from 25 nations have gathered, featuring some of the biggest names in sailing After weeks of preparation and an intense lead-up, the 2025 Moth World Championship is ready to get under way. Official racing begins tomorrow, 8 July, on the waters of Lake Garda, with the event hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine.
Posted on 7 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 2
No racing, but spirits stay high in Aarhus Day 2 of the iQFOiL World Championship in Aarhus tested the patience of sailors, coaches, and the Race Committee alike, as the wind refused to settle across the bay.
Posted on 7 Jul
Foiling Frenzy at Fraglia Vela Malcesine
The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! Regardless of where sailors are in their careers, or the reputation they have, everyone wants to be there and have a tilt at the title.
Posted on 7 Jul