ODYSSEY OF AION

Antarctic Circumnavigation by Sail

An extreme odyssey: challenging the Screaming Sixties around the White Continent.

Aboard our sailing vessel ARION, we are undertaking an unprecedented circumnavigation of Antarctica, committed deep into the high latitudes. This polar environment delivers violent winds beyond 80 knots, breaking seas hammering the hull, giant waves that swallow everything, drifting icebergs barely visible, ice that jams rigging and winches, and a cold that burns the skin while humidity destroys equipment. Between exhausting watches and crushing isolation, this expedition tests the very limits of human resilience. Join us at the edge of endurance.

A structured, high-commitment expedition

The Antarctic circumnavigation is neither the beginning nor the end: it is the engagement phase, after thousands of miles already sailed. Each phase has its own terrain, constraints, risks, and observational value.

The long approach route

Offshore sailing, routines, system testing, first structured observation series.

Patagonia

Preparation and exploration: remote areas, unstable weather, wildlife observation when possible.

Southern Ocean

Drake Passage then full commitment: heavy seas, cold, fatigue, decisions that determine continuity.

AION Data Hub

Contextualized data, field notes, observations — from curious to scientific use.

Why AION?

In Greek mythology, Aion embodies long time, cycles and duration — as opposed to the instant. A step-by-step progression, without revealing everything in advance, letting reality dictate the tempo.

Why ARION?

An expedition sailboat reinforced for southern oceans: oversized structure, critical redundancy, repairability at sea, rig and sails designed for icing and polar storms.

A complementary duo to ensure continuity, safety and data quality

Long and committed navigation requires a two-person organization designed for continuous watchkeeping, safety, and the production of reliable observations over time.

The Captain

Reliable watches, clear decisions, navigational continuity and field documentation.

Responsible for offshore navigation, system maintenance and strategic routing decisions. The objective is to preserve continuity while controlling wear on equipment and crew. In parallel, professional documentary production records the field without disrupting operations.

Offshore navigation & risk management
Critical systems, maintenance & redundancy
Image, sound and documentary logbook

Sarah

Continuous watch, rigorous collection, contextualization and observation quality.

Marine biologist and experienced navigator, with proven practice in difficult seas. Her ability to stand full watches ensures continuous and reliable lookout. Off watch, she focuses on scientific observation, data collection and contextualization, ensuring long-term scientific usability.

Protocols & data series
Observation / acoustics / environment
Co-navigation & watches

The volunteer team

At sea, you are two. On land, a team prepares, checks, tests and supports logistics.

Ingrind

Logistics lead

Jeff

Sea trials crew

Amaury

Technical preparation

Meet the team

ARION — an expedition sailboat for polar seas

In Antarctica, speed matters less than the ability to remain manoeuvrable and lucid day after day. ARION is prepared for long seas, cold humidity and sustained wear: accessible essential systems, realistic maintenance at sea, useful redundancy, and a two-person organization to maintain watchkeeping. The objective is to last without losing margin, in order to observe, document and continue.

What matters down there

Continuity: remain manoeuvrable and lucid
Simplicity: limit damage and wear
Maintenance: simple actions, direct access
Redundancy: secure key systems

The boat in detail The Captain

The project, in 30 seconds

Three pillars: navigation, science, image. One thread: producing reality (data + narrative), at the pace of the sea.

Navigation

Routing, weather windows, risk and fatigue management.

Science

Measurements and observations (weather, sea state, acoustics, fauna) over time.

Image

An honest field narrative: light, true, without staging.

Access Data Hub Contact

Patagonia, between sky and sea

Documentary excerpt: images and narrative at sea, in real conditions.

Discover an excerpt

The Southern Ocean loop

To remain readable and discreet, the route is presented by sectors and milestones, with deliberately sober communication. In latitude, this is a navigation in the 60°S zone and beyond, according to reality (weather, sea, ice).

The “route” page provides a clear reading of the major passages. The rest belongs to reality: windows, sea state, fatigue. The objective is continuity.

Read the route See the stages

View route

Southern Ocean — sectors

Partner with Odyssey of AION

Equip, test, document: associate your name with measurable exploration, filmed in the field.

Field content (images, logbook, publications)
Feedback in extreme conditions
Contextualized data via the Data Hub

Become a partner Contact