Vertical round-the-world sailing expedition
Paula and Pedro embark on the great adventure of sailing vertically around the world, reaching extreme latitudes in both polar circles and sailing across the five oceans (Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, Arctic, and Antarctic).
The Vertical Voyage is a unique challenge, never before accomplished, in which they will sail a total of approximately 35,000 nautical miles.
Pedro is the captain and owner of the aluminum ocean-going sailboat “Copernicus,” on which they are embarking on this expedition. Pedro is a RYA Yachtmaster Ocean with over 30 years of sailing experience and over 200,000 miles sailed. He has made numerous transoceanic voyages across the Atlantic and Pacific, as well as 12 expeditions to Antarctica. He always shares his well-known motto: “Rejoice, sailors!”
Paula is a nautical communicator and educator who traded her career as an architect for becoming a Captain. She shares her passion for the sea as a way of life through “Allende los Mares,” inspiring thousands of people around the world. Paula is a Yachtmaster Ocean RYA, PPER, and certified as a GMDSS General Operator. She has sailed more than 65,000 miles, including three Atlantic and two Pacific crossings, as well as five expeditions to Antarctica.
In this interview, Paula and Pedro share the key elements of this exciting ocean expedition and its official presentation in Madrid on November 8th.
How did the Vuelta Vertical (Vertical Round-the-World Sailing Expedition) project come about?
It was born about a year ago, when Jimmy Cornell (founder of the ARC) presented his High Latitude Challenge, a voyage for lovers of the extreme. After several meetings, we realized that the flotilla format wasn’t what we were looking for; but the seed was planted: we wanted our own, more demanding challenge.
So one random afternoon, among maps and scribbled napkins in a bar, the Vertical Lap was born: a circumnavigation of the world from south to north, passing through Antarctica and the Northwest Passage, sailing the five oceans and joining the two polar circles.
At the same time, it may also be the natural evolution of our experience in ocean voyages, including Antarctic campaigns, also uniting adventure, science, and education, documenting it openly and bringing it closer to the general public.
What is the “Copernicus” sailing ship like?
On a 68-foot aluminum sailboat (20.5 m long, 5.3 m wide, and 3.2 m draft), designed for high latitudes and open-ocean sailing. It has already been to Antarctica three times, and now we are fine-tuning it even further for the project; we are in dry dock as I write to you.
- The hull is aluminum, and we are reinforcing it with timbers in the bow, protecting the propeller and water intakes for navigation among ice.
Rigging has been recently replaced and sails reinforced. - Integrated B&G electronics, new and duplicated.
- Optimized onboard energy: 10 new batteries, solar panels, a hydrogenerator, and a generator; reinforced bilge and safety systems.
- Reduced crew: between the tropics, we will sail two (Paula and Pedro); on polar legs, we will be a team of 4–6 people.
- Average expected speed ~6 knots (peaks 9–13).
What is the route and the main challenges you will encounter on the Vuelta Vertical?
- Departure: Spain (Castellón), November 15, 2025.
- South Atlantic heading ~60° S for the Antarctic circumnavigation (Southern Window).
- Ascent across the Pacific to Alaska.
- Northwest Passage: July 2026 window.
- Return to Europe via Greenland and the North Atlantic (approximately September 2026).
Key Challenges of the “Vuelta Vertical”:
- Ice and drift: managing safe courses by navigating with radar and observing both cameras and visual surveillance (we will install steps on the mast to climb and observe from above).
- Persistent squalls (Fifty Howlers/high latitudes): window planning, conservative sail reduction, maneuvering in cold and fatigue, and autopilot redundancy (we have added a very powerful pilot pump: Hypro 0-4.5 lpm).
- Logistical isolation: in addition to the difficulty of weather and strategy, we have limitations on spare parts, fuel, water, and food since we will only make five port stops in 12 months.
- Human resource management: fatigue, heat/cold, nutrition, decision-making under pressure, communication, 24/7 watch rotation.
- Communication and safety: communicating without compromising the operation; cameras recording 24/7.
What activities will you undertake related to science and ocean conservation?
We will integrate products from the EU’s Copernicus Earth observation program—especially marine products—such as ocean analysis and forecasts (currents, sea surface temperature) and satellite imagery for ice and meso/basin-scale phenomena. We are not a large scientific vessel, but we connect satellite data (Copernicus) with in situ observations from a sailboat in remote areas, providing educational value and qualitative verification for outreach and tactical decision-making on board.
We also participate in a scientific program with the University of Alicante and the IEO-CSIC, aligned with the UNESCO Decade of the Oceans: Near-real-time sampling and data: surface T/S, wind, SOG/COG, position, and opportunistic biodiversity observations. Scientific and educational blog: short pieces, talks, and live educational sessions.
How can readers follow you?
- On our website: vueltavertical.com (route, diary, etc.)
- On social media: Allende los Mares (Paula) and Alegría Marineros (Pedro) on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
- And the big surprise:
24/7 channel on deck (from November 15, 2025): we’ll have live cameras on the boat to “stand watch together” in addition to sharing the plotter; this way, the public sees what we see when making decisions. It includes a chat with the crew at certain times.
When is the official presentation of the “Vuelta Vertical” in Madrid?
- The Official Presentation is: Saturday, November 8, 2025
- Venue: Sala Copérnico (Madrid) — with a capacity of 300 people
- Time: 6:00 PM–11:00 PM
There will be talks, a screening, music, and a preview of the 24/7 channel. - You can reserve your ticket through this link: Vuelta Vertical Presentation
From “Navegantes Oceánicos” we offer our full support to Paula and Pedro on this great adventure of the “Vuelta Vertical”. Thank you for your collaboration in this interview.
We will be accompanying Paula and Pedro to the official presentation in Madrid on November 8th, and we encourage you to attend.
