Austrian Skipper attempts an Extreme Sailing World’s First

Les Sables d'Olonne, 7th July 2023

For the 5th time, Skipper, Founder, and Managing Director of Innovation Yachts, Norbert Sedlacek Koch is attempting to become the first sailor everto sail around the world single handed, non-stop, and without assistant through all five oceans; among those are the Arctic and Antarctic Ocean!

30 days from now, Norbert Sedlacek Koch will depart for his extreme sailing world record attempt - project ANT ARCTIC LAB.

The departure is set on 6th August 2023 from Les Sables d’Olonne, France and will cover a distance of at least 32.000 nautical miles. The challenge will take around 200 days at sea single handed, non-stop, and without assistant through all five oceans including the Arctic and Antarctic Ocean.

And as if that wasn’t enough, Norbert's IY Open6oAAL Innovation Yachts sailing yacht is also fully sustainable and recyclable AND uses only renewable energy from hydro-generators and solar panels!

No fossil fuels such as diesel, petrol or gas are required!

This unique, high-performed Open60 is built from future pointing volcanic fiber, balsa wood and bio-sourced resin.

With this world record attempt Innovation Yachts, which this year was honoured with the Ocean Tribute Award 2023 from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation will show that a much cleaner yacht productionthat respects our environment is not only possible, this challenge will also push the limits of sustainable yacht building!

“The nautical ship building industry has a major role in encouraging respect for the environment and in producing clean products and technologies. Our philosophy is taking a clean approach to the design and construction of our yachts and boats,” says Norbert.

This ultimate challenge will push Norbert to his limits as he will sail for six months dealing with loneliness and frustrations alone and non-stop at sea. He is expected to encounter the most dangerous waters, through ice, stormy waters, the doldrums and many other unknown adventures.

Nonetheless, sailing has become a part of this 61-year-old skipper and founder of Innovation Yachts.

The former waiter and Vienna’s tram driver has been devoting himself in sailing world for more than 30 years.

Between 1996 and 1998 Norbert became the first Austrian sailor to circumnavigate single-handed the world, in 2000-2001 he was the first Austrian sailor to circumnavigate Antarctica non-stop, and in 2009 Norbert became the first German speaking Skipper who finished the world’s most extreme sailing race, the Vendée Globe.

SAVE THE DATE! We hope to meet you at the departure of the most extreme sailing world record attempt on 6th August 2023, in Les Sables d'Olonne!

About Innovation Yachts

Innovation Yachts is an Austrian-French shipyard and winner of the Ocean Tribute Award 2023. We are designing and building unique customized racing and cruising yachts. The yard uses new trendsetting fully sustainable and recyclable materials to optimize quality, performance and the protection of the environment during and after construction.

About ANT ARCTIC LAB Project

ANT ARCTIC LAB is a world record attempt to sail nonstop, single-handed, and without assistance through all five oceans including Arctic and Southern Ocean.

More Details on Norbert’s Route

Norbert will sail from Les Sables d’Olonne course northwest until west of the British islands, then straight up north, arriving the archipelago of Svalbard. He will then go higher in the Arctic, rounding Svalbard on around 80°N, the course will lead south passing west of Iceland, Acores and Cap Verde Islands to get finally into the Southern Ocean. The challenge will continue straight east, passing the Longitude of Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, Tasmania, Stewart Island, all the way round Antarctica, and finally passing Cape Horn then sailing course north back to Les Sables d’Olonne.