High Latitude Challenge, Jimmy Cornell's new event
Jimmy Cornell, the man behind the creation of the ARC transatlantic rallie just 40 years ago, is launching a new event aimed at all those wishing to explore high latitudes by joining other sailors: the High Latitude Challenge. Extreme routes are on the agenda, with Antarctica and the Northwest Passage as the main objectives!
JimmyCornell, a regular at high latitudes
Thefamous explorer navigator knows all about the peculiarities of such destinations. On several occasions, he has sailed to these lands himself, including the successful completion of the Northwest Passage, from west to east, in 2015. In 1999, he had already visited Antarctica aboard his yacht at the time. He therefore planned this itinerary to reach the destinations in the right seasons, and to benefit as much as possible from favorable wind and weather conditions along the way. He also knows the most suitable ports for technical stopovers before venturing into these remote regions.
Aone-year clockwise loop
JimmyCornell thus plans a departure from Cherbourg in September 2026. The descent of the Atlantic will take in the Canaries, Cape Verde, Rio de Janeiro, Mar de Plata before reaching Ushuaia, to wait for the right window to cross the Drake and reach Antarctica, the first jewel of this course. As part of the preparations for the High Latitude Challenge, Jimmy Cornell will be hosting a series of webinars covering a wide range of practical issues, from weather forecasts to ice piloting, safety aspects and high latitude navigation techniques. Presentations will be given by experts in their field and sailors with first-hand experience of navigating to Antarctica or the Northwest Passage.
More information on the High Latitude Challenge
Polar Sailing Master Class - October 2025
Forthose planning high-latitude sailing, whether as part of the High Latitude Challenge or not, the Grand Large Yachting group's training school will be offering a dedicated Master Class this October. During two days of training with polar navigation experts, you'll learn all about the specificities of this type of sailing. On the program: discovery of sailing basins and their seasonality, polar weather, as well as learning how to read ice charts, safety in an isolated environment and cold-related physiology.
More information to come!
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