RX II i internasjonalt nyhetsbulletin

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On Their Way to Circumnavigate the North Pole

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The three Norwegians Trond Aasvoll, Hans Fredrik Haukland and Finn Andreassen has started their attempt to circumnavigate the North pole in a 36 foot sailing yacht from 1977. Global warming can, scarily enough, contribute to their success to sail the North East and the North West passage in one season.

Even with both passages open, the chances for success are marginal - the summer season is short and the distances are huge. Not only will they have to sail through one of the worlds most treacherous seas, but they also have to do it at maximum speed before the winter catches up with them.

Senior researcher at Det Norske Veritas and adventurer Knut Espen Solberg has extensive first hand and theoretical experience about sailing in high latitudes, and his recent studies shows that there is a good possibility that the three Norwegians will make it around the globe this season.

"The North East passage is nearly ice free. Statistically this should happen by the end of September. The combination of a reduced presence of multi-year ice and a strong ocean current, washing the ice away from the Russian coastline north of Spitsbergen and through the Fram Strait, are the main reasons for favorable ice conditions experienced in the North East Passage. The North West Passage is not clear yet, but the ice-conditions are deteriorating according to the statistical schedule", says Solberg.

The RX II is a Jerry Cartwright designed 36 footer built in 1977, and according to Aasvoll she¹s a sturdy 4x4 on the ocean. Before they left Vardø on the border of Russia in the end of July the boat was loaded with extra diesel, food for two months, extra water, and a dried reindeer. -- Jon Amtrup