Team - The Polar Ocean Challenge

The Crew

David Hempleman-Adams

Expedition Leader

David is one of the most experienced and successful adventurers in the world.

In his forty years as an adventurer, David was the first person to reach the highest peaks on all seven continents and journey fully to the North and South Geographical and Magnetic Poles. He has broken forty-seven Federation Aeronautique Internationale ballooning records.

My crew are from all walks of life, both experienced and less experienced sailors, led by experienced Arctic skipper, Captain Nikolai. Most crew will change over the 4 legs of the expedition, myself included. Only Nikolai and Ben, our youngest crew member will remain for the duration of the whole expedition, over 4 months at sea.

This will be the voyage of a lifetime for any sailor; sailing around the top of the world in some of the most testing and challenging of waters.

We will sail the infamous North East Passage via Siberia to Alaska before joining the North West Passage to complete the circumnavigation of the North Pole via Greenland.

Pack ice could be a daily challenge through the North East Passage and the North West Passage, with the potential for icebergs in Baffin Bay from the famous Jakobshavn Glacier. Mother Nature will also reward us with glimpses of the amazing sea life that inhabits these inhospitable waters. The crew will be living in cramped conditions as the yacht will have to be filled with sufficient food and fuel to get us from one remote port to the next. It is definitely not a voyage for the faint hearted.

David Hempleman-Adams

Nikolay Litau

Captain, whole trip

Nikolai has enjoyed 30 years of yachting crossing all the oceans, including 10 trips in the Arctic, and a circumnavigation of the Antarctic. He has been awarded the Medal for Seamanship of the Royal Cruising Club of Great Britain, the Blue Water Medal of the Cruising club of America and the Cavalier of the Russian Order of Bravery. Nikolai is also a member of the Russian Geographic society. Find out more on Nikolay’s website and about his previous NE NW passages here

Ben Edwards

Crew Member all 4 legs

I sailed to Svalbard last year on the boat shakedown trip. I’ll be a full crew member for the whole trip. I am 14 years old.
I am the Youth Ambassador for Wicked Weather Watch, and I’m raising money for research into Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis in children at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/supporter/benspolarchallenge

Barbara Fitzpatrick

Crew 2nd and 3rd leg (NE and NW passage)

Sailed to Svalbard for the boat shakedown. Ski traversed Baffin Island & the last degree to both the N and S Poles. Reached North Col on Mt Everest & climbed Mont Blanc.

Constance Difede

Crew Member

I am a licensed pilot, advanced diver and equally at home in the mountains. I was aboard the shakedown trip of Northabout last year and recently ski traversed the last degree to the South Pole

Steve Edwards

Crew NW passage (3rd leg) & Greenland

I am a helicopter pilot and amateur sailor and mountaineer. Father to Ben and Mimi who are also taking part on this trip

Rosalind Edwards

Crew 2nd & Greenland

I joined the shakedown trip in Svalbard last year and David’s South Pole last degree expedition. I am Ben’s Mum.

Johan Petersen

Navigator, NW passage

I have circumnavigated the world and completed many voyages in Arctic and Antarctica. I am a professional sailor, author and instructor of seamanship.

Denis Davydov

First Mate NE Passage

Dave Cushing

Crew 1st Leg

I have crewed and skippered yachts from Scotland to the Canaries, and throughout the Mediterranean in the last 40 years.

Hazel Richards

Crew 1st Leg

Finding my legs for the first time having trekked the Arctic and Antarctic and crossed the Gobi. Training and financial consultant by profession

Annie Green

Crew

Sailing since childhood, and Commodore of Thornbury Sailing club. Recently retired from the National Health service blood and transplant department

John Harvey

Crew 1st Leg

I’ve been sailing for 10 years in the UK and the Mediterranean. Last year I retired as a Clinical Scientist leaving me free to sail more expansively and take part in this trip.

Alison Hallett

Crew Greenland

Skipper qualified keen sailor, keen interest in the Arctic ara

Colin Walker

Crew Greenland

Life time of sailing experience, own boat owner & over saw overhaul of Northabout. Troubleshooting over email, and hands on fixer!

Frances Gard

Crew Greenland

Photographer, filmmaker, specialising in ‘green’ projects. Also website & social media for the project. Skipper qualified.

Mike Stewart

Skipper 4th Leg

Delivery Skipper 30k miles world wide, EU, Pacific, Americas and Southern Ocean. Single handed voyages. Military trained.

Andrew Coulthurst

1st mate 4th Leg

Two years as First Mate aboard a privately owned 57 ft yacht sailing S & central America, West africa, Pacific Ocean. Previous career environmental consultant, keen affinity with this project. More.. consolidation-colson.blogspot.co.uk

David Wynne Davies

Crew 4th Leg

At 20yrs I flew the Atlantic in a light aircraft with my instructor, which included refuelling stop at Narsarsuaq, Greenland, retired from Army, now charity work, Yachtmaster Offshore, a real privilege to be invited to help crew.