Racing to the Arctic Circle and back alone, on a course where the only turning point is the latitude that defines this infamous point on the globe, has seen the fleet head up the west coast of Ireland before breaking out into unfamiliar territory for all.
And there has been at least one heroic act along the way as Italian sailor Ambrogio Beccaria was forced to dive down to the bottom of his keel to free his boat after getting trapped - the footage is remarkable and his nerve breathtaking.
PlanetSail's Matt Sheahan report on the first half of this incredible race, plus he talk to skipper Francesca Clapcich about her unconventional approach to reaching her ultimate goal.
