Press release

QNT Northwest Passage Jubilee Voyage 2006 started in Greenland on 15^th of August 2006 and was dedicated to commemorate 100^th anniversary of the pioneer Roald Amundsen's expedition, Norwegian explorer, who became the first person to sail entire length of the Northwest Passage in the years 1903 - 1906.

From Greenland s/y "Stary" was accompanied by the second polish yacht - s/y "Nekton" - commanded by Capt. Tadeusz Natanek with the Polish crew originating from Canada, who also decided to sail the Northwest Passage. Both crews sailed the waters from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean helping each other. Joint success of both crews was accomplished by symbolic, deck by deck, passing over Point Barrow, the farthest northern point of the USA whose passing meant successfully leaving the vastness of Arctic ice behind. Next, both yachts went south over the Chukchi Sea down to Bering Strait ending the main part of the expedition there.

"We navigated through ice and by the time of the crossing we were caught in a wind storm, whipping up high waves. Our ruder line broke and the screw of the autopilot got dismounted. Unable to make repairs in the gale, we were forced to steer manually. It was exhausting", says Slawek Skalmierski, the captain closing the last stage of the expedition.

Following the steps of Roald Amundsen's route the members of QNT Northwest Passage Jubilee Voyage 2006 also explored the land. They were climbing the Greenland mountains, paragliding over the Artic ice and visiting the whale hunters' village located on Cross Island. They were also diving in the wreckage of "Maud" the ship that originally belonged to the Norwegian explorer. During the six weeks long expedition a documentary titled "Searching for the legend" was produced. It focuses on the life of Norwegian discoverer as seeing by contemporary eyes.

"Sailing the Northwest Passage only in one season and in such a sort time proves a huge success. It also demonstrates perfect planning and expresses determination of the crew who try to make the most of good weather forecasts to the very last day", says Capt. Wojciech Jacobson, one of the first Poles, who in the years 1985-1988 successively sailed the Northwest Passage together with Ludomir Maczka in the expedition organized by known explorer Janusz Kurbiel.

"I followed all the steps of the expedition and I was entirely emotionally engaged in it. I admire them for the ability to find the time for climbing, diving and paragliding. Congratulations to all of them! Professional climbers know well that climbing down the top of the mountain is equally difficult as to climbing up. I wish them happy and safe voyage while coming back from north top end across the Bering Sea and the Pacific", adds Jacobson.

The first port of call of the s/y "Stary" was Nome Harbor at Alaska, where they moored after many hours of exhausting sailing in the heavy weather conditions. The crew passed American duty clearance and after a short, three days, rest left for Dutch Harbor, and next they heading for Vancouver - 1500 nautical miles away.

The jubilee sailing of the Northwest Passage has closed the main part of the expedition. However, it is not the end of the QNT Northwest Passage Jubilee Voyage 2006 expedition itself whose aim is to circumnavigate North America. From Vancouver the next part of expedition will begin. This time, on the way to Miami, the young crew are going to explore San Bias Archipelago - the territory settled by The Kuna Indians. Next, they plan to sail through the Panama Canal in order to reach Colombia from the Darien Narrow called the "The Pole of the jungle". In Colombia the sailors are going to explore Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the world's highest seaside peaks.

Somerset Island - Polar bear

Zenith Point

Bellot Strait

Greenland - Ilulissat

Disko Island

Pond Inlet glacier Bylot Island

Greenland Sondre Stromfjord - Sisimiut

Greenland Sisimiut - Ikerasarssuk

Greenland - s/y "Stary"