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Sailing around the world through the Northern Hemisphere has never been done before. This project, led by Nicolas Marcillaud, is based on recent developments in Arctic sailing conditions and specific technical preparation.
A route made navigable by ice pack evolution
The project is based on a reality well known to polar sailors. The shrinking ice pack in the Arctic is gradually changing navigation conditions. Some previously impassable areas are becoming accessible in summer, notably north of Greenland, Canada and Siberia.
Several milestones have already marked this progress, with a round-the-world voyage on an icebreaker in 1999, followed by passages on a motor-assisted sailboat from 2010 onwards. In 2026, the possibility of a complete passage under sail without a motor is now being considered.
A little-mapped route
But navigating these areas remains complex. Some sections of the route have limited map data. The North-West and North-East passages present the greatest difficulties, with drifting ice, unstable weather conditions and lack of infrastructure. The project uses satellite imagery and historical weather data to define a summer navigation window.
A racing trimaran adapted for the Arctic
The choice of boat contrasts with polar expedition standards. Nicolas Marcillaud chose a 10-meter multihull, Paradox, built in 1997. This trimaran, originally designed for racing, has been entirely modified to meet the constraints of the Far North.
The work undertaken since 2025 has focused on structural reinforcements, simplified maneuvering, beaching capacity and repairability. The aim is to keep the boat light, weighing less than 2 tonnes, while making it capable of operating in a constrained environment.
The project also incorporates a particular technical choice. Some of the equipment is second-hand. This approach aims to limit environmental impact while maintaining a level of reliability compatible with committed navigation.
The boat's configuration also includes systems adapted to motorless navigation, with precise management of energy and maneuvers.
A test in Greenland before the 2027 attempt
Before any attempt is made, a trial run under real conditions is planned. After a launch scheduled for May 11, 2026, a solo sail in Greenland is planned between July and September 2026. This phase should enable us to validate the boat's behavior in ice conditions and adjust our technical choices.
The aim is then to launch the round-the-world attempt in the summer of 2027, on a course estimated at 9,000 nautical miles, with a target duration of three months.
"Going north means taking a shortcut to sail around the world. It also means sailing in a constantly changing environment, with ice, weather and uncertainty. The aim is not to confront this ocean, but to adapt to it. " explains Nicolas Marcillaud.
A navigator trained for high latitudes
Nicolas Marcillaud regularly sails in polar zones. Born in 1994, he has sailed in Greenland, Svalbard, Antarctica and Norway. He also works as a professional skipper in these areas.
Its route includes a North Atlantic crossing in 2020 and several Arctic expeditions between 2021 and 2025. This project follows on from these voyages, with a change of scale in terms of duration and itinerary.
