Norbert embarked on an ambitious journey on Sunday 29 July 2018: a double circumnavigation from Les Sables-d'Olonne. His expedition was to take him to the North-West Passage, descend due south to the west of the Americas, round Cape Horn for the first time, round Antarctica and round Cape Horn for the second time before heading for France. 36,000 miles, about 300 days alone!
Barely 1 month of development
The boat launched on May 16, 2018 for her first navigation on June 20 will have had not only one month to sail, test and test the various systems that innovate on many aspects. "When you leave for 36,000 miles, you have to keep the materials in good condition without breaking them before the start, but I think we're really ready" justifies Norbert.
Basalt fibre
The main novelty of this boat - which is also its raison d'être - is its basalt fibre construction.
"Volcanic rock is a material that has a very hard surface, is completely hydrophobic, UV-resistant, unlike Kevlar and absorbs shocks effectively, unlike carbon. Moreover, it is 25% cheaper than carbon. In terms of mechanical properties, we have the same resistance to tension as the latter, but it is a little heavier," explains Norbert.
The material had been tested on the Fipofix, a 16-foot mini sailboat that Harald Sedlacek - Norbert's son - had sailed across the Atlantic in 2010. Following this successful experience, Norbert's partners (Innovation Yacht) want to go further. Although the construction of a 40' Class was envisaged to run a regatta from New York to Vancouver, it is finally on a 60' that the team will orient itself.
A 60-footer on the edge of the IMOCA gauge
Among other features, it should be noted that the boat is equipped with a double hull to ensure watertightness in case of collusion. It is also equipped with a central centreboard in front of the keel in addition to two lateral centreboards. Ant Arctic lab also carries two electric motors.
The boat was designed for Norbert and specifically for this project. It is equipped with a wheel at the rear with a very high cap. The cockpit is voluminous and is organized around a navigation area lined with instruments. However, no particular comfort is provided to help better tolerate all this time at sea.
The start was given on Sunday 29 July 2018 at 11am under magnificent weather after a brief and moving departure from the pontoon at 9am. Ant Arctic lab calmly sailed up the channel with a few accompanying boats
