|
|
Vagabond in Brittany for Douarnenez festival
Jul 2, 2004 10: 25 EST
Between the 16th and 20th of July a festival for all sea lovers will take place in Douarnenez, Brittany (coincidentally the home and destination for Anne Quemere, who is currently rowing across the Atlantic). Fishermen, rescuers, navy merchants, national navy sailors or yachtsmen, all of those who are part of the maritime history of Brittany, or any other country lulled by the waves, will be present.
Large or small boats, work boats, classic yachts, sail and oar gigs or tall-ships, representing all regions, will celebrate together the sea and the solidarity of seamen.
Douarnenez 2004 will also be an opportunity to meet several professionals: fishermen who fight to save and improve their jobs, traditional craftsmen and ship builders, environmental associations who rally against the pollution of the coast, etc. And also at the festival will the Vagabond, the little red polar yacht that became the first to circumnavigate the Arctic Ocean.
Vagabond is an expedition yacht designed for sailing in ice. Since 2000, her captain Eric Brossier prepared it as a unique logistic support, a floating and moving base camp for scientists, sportsmen, or artists fond of polar regions.
While crossing the Davis Strait on 20th of September 2003, Vagabond reached the Labrador Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Her crew was proud of her success through the North-West Passage, especially since this came right after her success through the North-East Passage, the 2 arctic routes that link the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
"Sailing these 2 famous passages one after the other, each one without wintering and without any ice-breaker assistance, is a first in the sailing history. Our emotions were worthy of the adventure" said Captain Eric.
Another Polar sailor is out on his boat right now, though he hasn’t moved in months; Dutchman Henk de Velde. He’s been roaming the world's oceans for over two years now aboard The Campina. His goal: “The Impossible Journey” - a sail around the world via the "impossible" Northern Seaway along the North East Passage above and along Siberia, Alaska, then South to Cape Horn and Antarctica before returning home to the Netherlands. Henk's journey began in June 2001 and if it comes to the end he envisions, Henk will have traveled 30,000 miles rounding both poles on the epic circumnavigation. Since December, however, the Campina has been encased in the ice of the Arctic Sea near Tiksi, Russia. Maybe if the ice melts in time he will also join the festivities at Douarnez.
Image of the Vagabond February 2003, courtesy of the team.
|
|
Feature Stories |
|
Latest News |
more news |
 |
Young sailor missing outside of Trinidad
Full Story
|
 |
Minoru Saito: Oldest around the world update
Full Story
|
 |
A new world speed sailing record: Ellen made it!
Full Story
|
 |
Vendee Globe 2005 Finish newsflash
Full Story
|
 |
Maud Fontenoy - another adventure has begun
Full Story
|
 |
Fedor Konyukhov: Declines Argos replacement on unassisted sail
Full Story
|
|
|
| Fedor - less than a week to go! Jun 3, 2005 | | Saito San - closing in on home and record! Jun 2, 2005 | | Atlantic Four: And they are off! Jun 1, 2005 | | Ollie - is anybody out there? May 31, 2005 | | ExplorersWeb Week in Review May 30, 2005 | | And they are off! May 27, 2005 | | Ellen gives transatlantic record a second battle May 27, 2005 | | Vagabond update - Polar bears, 200 candles and ice melting in Inglefieldbukta May 26, 2005 | | ExWeb interview - Atlantic Four: "It was all about persuading our wives" May 25, 2005 | | Iridium: "Invalid battery - matches found, 0" May 24, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
2004
BEST of EXPLORERSWEB
|
|
|
|
