Yacht Race around North Pole

Two very different expeditions are on course to circumnavigate the North Pole

Two very different expeditions are on course to round the North Pole by boat - via the Northeast and Northwest passages.

One of the expeditions is being led by Norwegian explorer Børge Ousland who is joined by experienced sailor Thorleif Thorleifsson, while the other is a Russian-backed ship, called the Peter 1.

While Børge and Thorlief have taken a fast and lightweight ship into those dangerous waters, the Russians have selected an a larger, heavier, icebreaker to make their bid for completing the voyage. The former of those vessels is light and agile, but could suffer damage more easily, while the latter is strong and tough, but more ponderous in its approach.

ExWeb describes it as "the very unofficial North Pole Yacht Race." The two ships are now into the Northeast Passage and attempting to sail on through to the Pacific Ocean, with both of them into the Labtev Sea and battling the ice. The NE Passage generally opens in late August, and at the moment, it seems like they're playing the waiting game, hoping for the opportunity to get moving again.

Once it does open, they'll roll into the Pacific and then on to the Northwest Passage, which has traditionally opened up in September the past few years. A voyage such as this one couldn't have taken place even a few years ago, but due to the effects of global climate change, it has become a reality. One or both of these teams is going to complete the voyage; it's just a matter of who will finish first.

Kraig Becker blogs at theadventureblog.blogspot.com