Talk: "Ella in the Arctic" update by Ella Hibbert

Last year Ella Hibbert gave us a fascinating talk about her planned solo trip to circumnavigate the Arctic Circle. Ella has kindly agreed to come along and give us an update on her expedition.

Amongst her achievements since last summer Ella has sailed 3,500 nautical miles single-handed, crossing the North Sea and Barents Sea twice, has had to climb the rig alone whilst underway at sea, dealt with multiple floodings as well as total steerage loss of her boat "Yeva" in the Barents Sea before landing at Longyearbyen, Svalbard where she managed to jury-rig a fix to get her back to mainland UK!

Ella is a young RYA Yachtmaster Instructor who wants to be the first woman to solo sail the infamous NorthWest Passage. After extensive research she extended her plan into a campaign to become the first person to solo circumvaigate the entire Arctic Circle - and to do so in a single summer season. Ella's talk will include the environmental challenges that the Arctic is facing due to global warming and man-made climate change. 

Ella says:

"It will be great to talk to you about the updates since I last spoke, there have been so many things happening. I'd love to explain what it means to me, personally and professionally, as well as what it will mean to the future of the Arctic Ocean and its inhabitants. It will be an immense feat, the first of its kind, made achievable only by the increasing devastation of man-made global warming on our world's most fragile region. To be the first person to set a sailing record so harrowing will be incredibly bittersweet; truth be told, if we were doing enough to preserve the Arctic sea ice, my voyage wouldn't even be possible. 

So, come to the talk and we can chat about sailing, expeditions, inspirations, set-backs, dreams, and ambitious, together. I look forward to seeing you there there again!"

The talk will take place in the Conference Room at the Haslar Marina office. Please use the labelled entrance door at the back of the office building, on the path that leads down to the gate. Those attending can meet for drinks and / or a meal at The Creek beforehand and we are welcome to take our drinks over to the conference room for the talk.

You can learn much more about Ella and her adventure on her website here.

The itinerary for the evening is:

         18:00 (or earlier)    Meet at The Creek restaurant if you want to buy yourselves a drink and/or a meal

         19:00 - 20:00         Talk on "Solo Circumnavigating the Arctic Circle" in Haslar Marina Conference Room

         20:00 - 20:30         Questions and Answers

         20:30                     Post talk drink and/or meal in The Creek for those who wish

Last updated 4:17am on 26 March 2025