High Seas Journey Begins: Jimmy Cornell Initiates High Latitude Challenge for sailors
In an exciting new venture, renowned sailor Jimmy Cornell is organising the High Latitude Challenge, a sailing expedition that promises to take participants on a journey through some of the most demanding and iconic high-latitude waters in the world.
The High Latitude Challenge is not a traditional rally but a rolling event, allowing sailors to join the expedition anywhere along the route and finish wherever they prefer. The expedition will traverse the legendary Northwest Passage, a notoriously challenging Arctic route that is both alluring and treacherous in equal measure.
The Northwest Passage, which passes from Greenland into the Baffin Sea, through Lancaster Sound, across the narrow Bellot Strait (only 2 km wide), along the Amundsen Trail, a famous route named after the explorer Roald Amundsen, and into Hudson Bay, is known for its ice-prone and remote conditions. Sailors will need to navigate through potentially ice-blocked waters and pay close attention to timing and weather forecasts to avoid being trapped by ice.
To participate in the High Latitude Challenge, sailors must have extensive sailing experience in cold, ice-affected, and remote waters. Their boats must be robust and well-equipped to handle ice conditions, with the Garcia Exploration 45 being a suitable choice, as praised by Jimmy Cornell himself. Crews must also be prepared for possible emergency situations such as ice trapping or engine failure, as past trips have included assistance to other vessels stuck in ice.
The expedition is timed to take place in the Arctic summer months when the ice recedes, maximising the chances of open water and safer conditions. However, experiences have demonstrated that ice can remain a serious obstacle even late in the season and might cause delays or require rerouting.
Jimmy Cornell's High Latitude Challenge is a 'full circle' moment for the sailor, who first began inspiring sailors to cross oceans even into advanced age with his original ARC transatlantic rally. The High Latitude Challenge features the 'bucket list' expedition sailing destinations of Antarctica and the Northwest Passage, with the clockwise route starting from Cherbourg, France in September 2026.
A support team and Cornell Sailing presence will be in key places throughout the route, including Cherbourg, Las Palmas, Mar del Plata, Ushuaia, Hawaii, Dutch Harbor, and Aasiaat [Greenland]. Logistical and service support will be available at two key stopover points, Mar del Plata in Argentina, and Honolulu in Hawaii.
The High Latitude Challenge is open to sailors who wish to embark on an unforgettable adventure, one that combines the thrill of sailing through some of the world's most challenging waters with the camaraderie of like-minded explorers. Qualified participants will be asked to pay a refundable fee of £500.
The High Latitude Challenge is a testament to Jimmy Cornell's enduring passion for sailing and his ability to inspire others to push the boundaries of what is possible. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a newcomer to the world of ocean voyages, the High Latitude Challenge offers an opportunity to experience the adventure of a lifetime.
Bluewater cruising and adventure-travel come together in the High Latitude Challenge, as participants embark on a unique sailing expedition that promises not only a lifestyle of travel but also an exciting experience, navigating through the legendary Northwest Passage. This sailing event, organized by renowned sailor Jimmy Cornell, offers sports enthusiasts a chance to test their skills in challenging and iconic high-latitude waters, as they journey through some of the world's most demanding and remote regions.
