Racing through the Northwest Passage

A new race in 2017 will take teams through the Northwest Passage, bringing the first international yacht race to the roof of the world. The Sailing The Arctic Race (STAR) will start in New York, USA (July 2017) and consist of six race legs which ultimately concludes in Victoria, Canada (October 2017).

Teams will be racing the one design STAR46 by FIPOFIX, an Austrian boat design company spearheading the development of volcanic fibre ocean sailing yachts. Volcanic fiber, scientifically more well-known as basalt fiber, is a new material that touts extra strength without excess weight, durability without toxicity, and a low environmental impact in the manufacturing process.

In early 2014 a prototype called the Open16 finished its singlehanded ‘proof of concept’ journey across the Atlantic non-stop from Europe to North America and back for a total trial distance of 10,000 nautical miles. Based on the success of the Open16, FIPOFIX is designing the STAR46 to tackle the Arctic conditions.

Race website: http://sailingthearcticrace.org