The Alpha Global Expedition is aiming to achieve the last great sailing prize in  long distance, single-handed sailing – the ‘vertical’ circumnavigation. Following the precedents set by earlier pioneering yachtsmen and women who have completed west-to-east and east-to-west circumnavigations, the vertical route has remained elusive because of dangers of ice in the high Arctic Region. Recent changes in global weather and temperature patterns have caused Arctic ice floes to break up earlier. The ice edge is receding further clearing the route for a short period during summer.

The Alpha Global Expedition departed from Hamble Point marina on the south coast of England on October 28th 2005. The route was south over the Atlantic towards the Falkland Islands, then westwards around Cape Horn. Adrian completed his rounding of Cape Horn by crossing latitude 50 degrees south on the Pacific side on 23rd February 2006 becoming the sixth Briton and fifteenth yachtsman to achieve a Cape Horn passage solo against prevailing winds and currents.

The track then headed toward Hawai’i where Adrian called in to make emergency repairs to the mast, damaged during two knockdowns sustained going round Cape Horn. From Honolulu, Adrian sailed due west to make his selected antipodal point which he reached on June 20th. This point at 24.11 North, 143.22 East, southeast of Japan is antipodal to a position on the track off the coast of Brazil at 24.11 South, 36.68 West. At least one pair of antipodal points on the vessel’s track means that the Alpha Global Expedition is following a Great Circle route, a necessary requirement for a ‘true’ circumnavigation.

From the antipodal position, ‘Barrabas’ turned northeast passing between the Aleutian Island chain and arriving in Nome, Alaska on August 8th 2006, logging a total distance sailed of 26,045 nautical miles after 280 days at sea.

‘Barrabas’ was lifted out of the water in Nome, the mast unstepped and the boat prepared for the long, dark Arctic winter.

In the summer of 2007, the Alpha Global Expedition continues with the final phase through the Arctic Ocean and back to the UK. The planned route is along Russia’s Northern Sea Route (NSR). This route has never been sailed single-handed and no British boat has made the transit. With one pair of antipodal points already logged, the Alpha Global Expedition also has the choice of making the Arctic transit via Canada’s Northwest Passage which has never been sailed by a British yacht single-handed.

Whichever Arctic route is chosen will be determined by prevailing ice conditions.

A successful return to the UK will complete the Alpha Global Expedition and achieve the first single-handed ‘vertical’ circumnavigation of the earth.

Brief History of Single-Handed Sailing ‘Firsts’

The first single-handed circumnavigation was completed by American, Joshua Slocum in 1898 aboard his wooden vessel ‘Spray’. His route was east to west via the Strait of Magellan. In 1943, Argentine Vito Dumas completed the first west to east circumnavigation in his 31ft ‘Lehg’. Sir Francis Chichester (UK) raised the bar in 1966 completing the first solo round-the-world making only one stop. This set the challenge of sailing non-stop alone around the world. Several competitors vied for honours in what became known as The Golden Globe Race. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (UK) emerged victorious on board his wooden ketch, ‘Suhaili’. His route had taken him eastabout around Cape Horn. Sir Chay Blyth (UK), who was forced to retire from the Golden Globe determined to sail non-stop westabout, against prevailing winds. He set sail on 18 October 1970 and returned to the south coast of England 292 days later.

1978 was the year for women with Krystena Chojnowska-Liskiewicz (Pol) becoming the first woman to circumnavigate single-handed. Her route was east to west via the Panama Canal. In the same year, Dame Naomi James (UK) achieved the first eastabout rounding via Cape Horn. It was not until 1988 that Australia's Kay Cottee became the first woman to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world eastabout. In 2006, Dee Caffari (UK) repeated Sir Chay Blyth's 35-year-old record of a single-handed non-stop westabout rounding.

Single-Handed Circumnavigation ‘Firsts’

Other Notable Single-Handed Circumnavigations