After having explained to us his project for an Arctic adventure she reveals here her preparation and that of her boat.
Are you going back to the same bateau??
Yes, a Sun Fast 37. It is a classic fiberglass boat with a reinforced bow. It is light enough to be able to sail only under sail and manoeuvrable to navigate between the ice.
Did you bring modifications??
It has been refurbished and many minor modifications have been made: engine overhaul, hull, checks and sail changes..
Otherwise, wind turbines and solar panels have been added to make them more autonomous. It's a big bonus. Last year, we had to run the engine to recharge the batteries.
Changes in diet have also been planned. It was all nonsense in our previous attempt. We try to prepare ourselves on food, because it's heavy to eat anything, anyhow.
Finally, in terms of communication, we noticed that iridium was working very well. As a result, a larger package was taken to communicate and receive ice charts easily.
Finally, we improved some small details, because we were well prepared overall.
Have you made any changes in both the course and the preparation?
The route remains the same. It is registered from the Arctic Circle of Greenland to the Arctic Circle of Alaska. Last year, we had blocked Lancaster Sound. There is a mid-course place with 2 or 3 different options to sneak into different channels. We will adapt our route according to the opening of the passage.
In terms of preparation, we wanted to do more physical training. Except that the preparation takes a lot of time. Not to mention my father's work, the management of partners, studies since I am changing career path (Editor's note: Clara will be doing a Master 2 Entrepreneurship at ESCP Paris.).
People don't realize it, but there's a lot of work ahead of us. A lot to anticipate, to plan... You have to approach partners, set up operations, manage relations with the foundation that supports you..
Last year's experience is a big plus in the preparation. I have difficulty planning myself a year earlier, on the same dates, to achieve the progress I have made.
How and when will you deliver the boat to the site if it is not there? déjà?
We leave Trinidad on June 30 for a convoy to Greenland with my father. We do not refrain from stopping in Iceland to take a look at the weather and finalize the last professional activities. We should be in southern Greenland by mid-July.
We will be on stand-by for a few days in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Last year, we stayed there for a long time to wait for the opening of the passage. This time, we will just do the final checks on the boat before departure.
How quickly do you plan to complete the traversée??
About five weeks.
