Armare supports Ella in the Arctic, the ambitious project that will see sailor Ella Hibbert attempt to become the first person ever to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the Arctic Circle by sail. The journey, which started last May 24, has a clear mission: to document the effects of climate change in the Arctic and raise public awareness about the threats it poses.
Between unexpected events, setbacks, various misadventures, last-minute changes and countless emotions, the extraordinary journey of Ella Hibbert — a 28-year-old British sailor and Yachtmaster instructor — is moving forward. After a month and a half at sea, she has reached the coast of Greenland. She set sail on May 24, 2025, from Gosport, UK, embarking on an extraordinary mission to become the first person in the world to solo circumnavigate the Arctic Circle, completing both the Northwest and Northeast Passages in a single voyage. Follow Ella’s Journey updates on the Official Facebook page.
This is a project Armare Ropes has supported from the very beginning, sharing its spirit and purpose. It is not just an extreme sailing challenge, but a call to action to the entire world, highlighting the tangible consequences of the climate crisis that is irreversibly transforming the Arctic.
A record made possible by melting ice
Ella’s route will cover over 10,000 nautical miles in approximately five months, sailing north of Iceland, along Greenland’s southern coast, through Canada, Alaska, and finally Russian waters, before returning to Norway. A journey that just a few years ago would have been unthinkable to complete in a single season – now technically possible due to the rapid retreat of Arctic sea ice.
“If I succeed, it will be a bittersweet moment. On one hand, I will have achieved a record, but on the other, it will prove something that should not be possible: it will show that the Arctic—currently warming two to three times faster than the rest of the planet—no longer has the ice cover it once had.”
Ella’s route
Ella has departed from Haslar Marina in the Solent, sailing up the eastern coast of the UK to reach the 66.5°N latitude mark of the Arctic Circle, between Norway and Iceland. From there, she has sailed around Iceland, along southern Greenland, and then she will pass through Canada via the Northwest Passage, along the northern coast of Alaska, and into Russian waters. She will cross the Laptev and Kara Seas via the Northeast Passage, returning near Norway and then heading down the UK coast to finish at Haslar Marina.
Vessel: Yeva – 38-ft offshore steel ketch, Bruce Roberts design
Departure: Haslar Marina, mid-May 2025
Distance & Duration: approx. 10,000 nautical miles in 5–6 months
Estimated Return: October 2025, Haslar Marina
Preparation, research, and commitment to the planet’s future
Ella spent three years preparing the project, from choosing the right boat – Yeva, a fully steel-built 38-foot Bruce Roberts yacht optimized for solo sailing and near-total self-sufficiency with solar panels, hydro generators, and a freshwater maker – to crowdfunding, securing sponsors, and collaborating with ocean navigation experts.
During her journey, she will face extreme conditions: massive waves, temperatures as low as –30°C, drifting ice, polar bears, moving pack ice, and chronic sleep deprivation – sleeping in intervals of only 20 minutes at a time.
The expedition also serves as a platform for scientific research and outreach, supported by the British Scientific Exploration Society and the International SeaKeepers Society, helping to illustrate the impacts of climate change. In addition to raising awareness, Ella will contribute to projects like Seabed 2030, collecting data in unmapped ocean areas. Cameras on board will document the voyage and the state of the melting ice, supported by the production company Ocean Films.
Finally, Ella plans to auction the boat Yeva at the end of the journey, donating the proceeds to environmental organizations.
Armare Ropes for Ella in the Arctic
We are proud to supply Ella with Armare ropes, chosen for their strength, reliability, and lightness – essential characteristics for such an extreme expedition. This collaboration also represents a way to further solidify our commitment to environmental sustainability, which for us is not just a goal, but a guiding principle embedded in every stage of our product design and manufacturing processes.
The ropes used aboard Yeva are the result of a careful evaluation of their environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle, using the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) method. This approach allows us to measure not only CO₂ emissions but also other key indicators of pollution, offering a comprehensive and transparent view of each product’s environmental footprint. Aware of the responsibility that every industrial choice entails, we have invested in renewable energy by installing photovoltaic panels and adopting increasingly efficient and less impactful production practices. Wherever possible, we use recycled polyester fibers and are constantly seeking innovative solutions to develop products that are both high-performing and environmentally responsible.
Supporting Elle on this journey is not just an honour — it is a tangible expression of our commitment. This venture goes beyond sailing: it is an act of courage, awareness, and love for our planet — values that Armare deeply shares.
For more information on the project and to follow Ella’s journey, visit ellainthearctic.co.uk.
Photo courtesy of Ella in the Arctic
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