Friday, November 16, 2007

XPLORE EXPEDITIONS JOINS IAATO; PROMOTES SAFE, RESPONSIBLE ANTARCTIC TOURISM

Xplore Expeditions has been accepted as a member of the prestigious International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). Founded in 1991, IAATO promotes safe and environmentally responsible tourism practices in the remote, wild and delicate Antarctic region.

Xplore Expeditions is an adventure sailing outfitter specializing in high latitude voyages to the Antarctic peninsula, sub-Antarctic Islands, the Falkland and South Georgia islands, and Tierra del Fuego. The company offers individual berths on scheduled trips; customized charters; and Royal Yachting Association (RYA) accreditation sails.

A relative newcomer to the Antarctic arena, Xplore Expeditions was founded in 2006 when skipper Stephen Wilkins, after three seasons and six expeditions to Antarctica, decided to launch his own yacht and adventure sailing firm with friend and “The Race” winner Nico Pichelin. As a result they’ve found the benefits of IAATO to be many, Wilkins says: first and foremost the “credibility” of affiliation with this leading industry group, and the associated governments and scientific foundations.

Plus, Wilkins adds, “We get constant updates on landing location information and do’s and don’ts as locations change or get too much impact from visitors. It gives us a network of sister vessels and shore-based resources we can call on in an emergency situation; and there’s the gathering of a statistical database of tourism information.”

Procedures and guidelines advocated by IAATO and honored by Xplore Expeditions include regulations and restrictions on numbers of people ashore; staff-to-passenger ratios; wildlife watching; pre- and post-visit activity reporting; contingency and emergency medical evacuation plans; and much more.

Xplore Expeditions offers a variety of passages, spotlighting ice formations; unexplored coastlines; native birds, marine and wildlife; and cultural, geographic, and historical attractions. Other trips focus on photography, documentary film-making, and support for land excursions. Trips take place in the Austral summer (November through March) when temperatures can reach into the 70s, and periods of clear, fine weather are common.

Originally a racing yacht that proved herself in two circumnavigation races, the flagship Xplore was refitted and re-launched in Plymouth UK in April 2007. She carries up to 12 passengers and crew, and can venture into remote anchorages large ships cannot. A fast heavy-weather sailing yacht, she is also swift under power, with generous fuel and water tanks, heat and hot water systems, and a full galley, making her comfortable and self-sufficient at sea for extended periods of time.

A full programme of scheduled trips is available on the website at www.xplore-expeditions.com. You can also contact Nicolas Pichelin at +33 681 097 626 or nicolas@xplore-expeditions.com; or Eleonora Mazzonis at + 39 028 905 5320 or eleonora.mazzonis@xplore-expeditions.com. For IAATO information go to www.iaato.org

Sunday, November 4, 2007

XPLORE co-skipper Nico Pichelin takes early lead in Transat Jacques Vabre

Nico Pichelin and Bruno Jourdren, aboard the Class 40 Vecteur Plus/Groupe Moniteur, have taken an early lead in their 28 boat division in the Transatlantic Jacques Vabre, after just two days of racing.

The race, which began 3 Nov., takes competitors 4,340 miles across the equator from Le Havre, France to Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. Sixty boats, in four monohull and multihull divisions, were entered.

Pichelin, Co-Skipper and Project Manager for Xplore Expeditions, took advantage of the Antarctic off-season to compete in the challenging Transatlantic contest. Winner of the round-the-world race “The Race” on the maxi-catamaran Club Med, Pichelin was also a member of the French campaign for the America’s Cup in 2003, and part of the world championship team aboard the 60-foot trimaran Groupama.

On Day Two of the Jacques Vabre, race officials noted the contestants were, “trying to find their way amid challenging weather conditions in the Channel. The crews have to deal cautiously with a high-pressure system in the Bay of Seine and beyond to avoid losing ground.”

After their win in the Prologue race, Pichelin/Jourdren, were recognized as a team to watch; and by the second day of the Jacques Vabre had a slim lead over a pack of six frontrunners, with the balance of the division trailing. In addition, the 40-footers were said to be “on the heels of the IMOCA 60” class according to race organizers. A turning tide, with shifting winds that increased to 16 knots, helped them sail a more direct course to the mark. But they fleet will continue to be tested as another high-pressure system looms: bringing lighter winds from the west-northwest.

Meanwhile, Xplore Expeditions Skipper and Founder Stephen Wilkins held down the fort in Uruguay, where Xplore is being provisioned and prepared for the Austral summer sailing season.

For more information on Xplore Expeditions please click here. For the Transat Jacques Vabre Race, click here.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Xplore Expeditions Newsletter No. 2 – September 2007

Skipper Stephen Wilkins reports:

Xplore - the yacht, and the dream of voyages to some of the most interesting and remote locations on the planet - is definitely alive and well!

Since completing a major refit and modifications to Xplore in Plymouth, UK, we have safely and comfortably made passage in to the Southern Hemisphere. As a vessel suitable for High Latitude ‘roughty-toughty’ sailing, she comes up trumps as an extremely seaworthy, safe and comfortable yacht.

With a small delivery crew we made brief stops at Las Palmas, Gran Canaria and Fernando de Noronha - a stunning tropical island off the Brazilian coast. Presently we are heading further south to Tierra del Fuego and the Beagle Channel, where Xplore will be based during the Austral summer season.

NEWSFLASH!

Just prior to departing the UK we were able to complete and finalise our membership to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO - http://www.iaato.org). IAATO is the only recognised Antarctic tourism body, and governs responsible tourism activities in the south.

We also are very proud to announce that Xplore Expeditions has succeeded in becoming a recognised Royal Yachting Association (RYA – www/rya.org.uk) training centre, giving us the ability to conduct sail training in some of the most remote and challenging locations in the world.

As indicated on our website www.Xplore-Expeditions.com our program for this next Southern Hemisphere season includes some amazing destinations, and opportunities to spend an unforgettable time up front and close to wildlife and nature.

If you are starting to wonder about adventure holiday options, over the December to April period, I suggest you contact us as soon as possible, as we have already taken a number of booking for various trips.

And being that this is our first year of operation as Xplore Expeditions, we are keen to have a full and fruitful year, and introduce as many intrepid clients as possible to the beauty of the High Latitudes. Hence we are offering for this first season some excellent rates and discounts for groups and individuals. If you or anyone you know is interested in the adventure of a lifetime, please contact us at the email addresses below and ask for the “International Polar Year” discounts.

Myself and the Xplore team look forward to seeing you onboard this season!

XPLORE underway to Ushuaia for adventure sailing / expeditions

22-Aug-2007 -- XPLORE is underway, en route to Tierra del Fuego, to begin adventure sailing and expeditions in the Antarctic and high latitudes this Austral summer.

The refurbished 67-foot HSLA steel expedition yacht recently left Plymouth, UK with XPLORE Expeditions founder Stephen Wilkins at the helm.

A good weather window prompted the skipper and crew to depart Yacht Haven Marina on 5 August. Following a brief stopover in Falmouth, Wilkins said, “We headed out into the North Atlantic with a fresh reaching breeze to take us through the first night at sea.”

“Weather and cloud conditions for the remainder of the passage to Puerto De la Luz (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands) saw us with a maximum of 28 knots of true wind, all reaching and running conditions, with the spinnaker pole being used a lot.”

WILDLIFE & LIFE ON BOARD

Along the way Wilkins reported wildlife sightings have been good with, “Northern Humpback whales, and large schools of dolphins that continually come to play on the bow.” They have observed several Portuguese Man-o-wars, which Wilkins told, “are also know as ‘Down Winders’ from the tall ship days, as they follow the currents and winds as they circulate the Atlantic.”

“Tortoises were seen a number of times: at one point we came alongside one chap who was feebly swimming along at a snails pace. We wanted to throw him a line and give him a tow, but we were going in the wrong direction!”

En route, the crew settled in to a watch system of six hours on / six hours off during the day, with four on / four off at night, giving a rotation of watches every two days and lots of variety. As they quickly entered the warm Portuguese / Canaries current, the deck was christened with the first of many bucket baths.

Another interesting highlight of the 10-day passage Wilkins conveyed was the frequent reporting of missing or abandoned yachts in the North Atlantic. “In all of my years of making passages here, it just continues to amaze me how so many yachts, catamarans and vessels, are left floating free.”

FALMOUTH TO LAS PALMAS

“Sailing-wise the yacht slips into a good turn of speed even with winds below 10 knots,” Wilkins explained. Recent upgrades have improved creature comforts, and updated structure and systems. “Below decks the functionality and design of galley, navigation area, and cabins work very well. She’s safe, practical and easy to keep clean.

“She is an easily driven girl and behaves very well with a good sea motion. I know she will be great in the deep south, with heavy weather conditions,” he said.

“Four days from the Canaries we changed the Yankee No. One for the Genoa as forecasts were for continuing light winds from the north.” They arrived at the capital city of Las Palmas on 17 August.

“The port of Gran Canaries – Puerto de la Luz – is a very well-organised government port and marina with good facilities and simple entry / exit procedures. Costs for marina, fuel and provisions are very reasonable, and a pleasant change from the costs we have had to endure in the UK.”

Upon arrival, Wilkins reported few changes or repairs were required. “A swap of batteries are about the only major works we have had to do,” before departure on the second leg of the passage, 21 August.

XPLORE RETURNS TO THE SOUTHERN OCEAN

XPLORE’s voyage to Ushuaia actually marks her return to the Southern Ocean. Previously a Challenge Business yacht, she circumnavigated the globe originally as Coopers and Lybrand in the 1992 British Steel Challenge, and has done extensive European passages.

“The passage plan from here will be to go directly to the Brazilian island of Fernando de Noronha for a few days of tropical R & R,” Wilkins said. The tiny archipelago, with a population of just 2,000, is roughly 350 km off the Brazilian coast east of Cabo de São Roque.

Plans are to continue straight down the South American coast to the Beagle Channel and the Argentinean city of Ushuaia. Wilkins estimated the voyage will take 36 days, based on a minimum average of 160nm per day.

XPLORE Expeditions has recently achieved accreditation as a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) training centre and underway, guest crew can work on training and education for yachtmaster certification.

Following the delivery to Ushuaia, the company’s inaugural season will begin, with scheduled trips throughout October 2007 to April 2008; to Antarctica, the sub-Antarctic islands, Tierra del Fuego, the Falkland and South Georgia islands, and other remote and exotic high latitude destinations. XPLORE Expeditions also was recently accepted as a member if the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).

Founded by experienced yachtsmen Stephen Wilkins, skipper and expedition leader, and Nicolas Pichelin, co-skipper and project manager, the company will explore outlying and remote areas in the Southern Hemisphere with a focus on charting, surveying and discovery of undocumented coastlines and anchorages; observation and study of birds, wildlife and marine life; exploration of cultural, geographic, and historical areas of interest; and training and education under the parameters of the RYA.

Wilkins has previously led visitors from 17 to 77 years of age on polar and high latitude expeditions: “anyone who has stable health and a dream to be there. It’s very manageable with a well set up vessel, good heating and the proper systems.” Guests can book individual berths from the Programme or charter the vessel for customized passages and exploration.