Dramatic paddling expedition in the arctic - Part 1

- Freezing, sick, fever and throwing up - Lost much of his food and water - Sleeps on ice floes - Harsh weather and 9 metres high waves - Encountered polar beers and aggressive walruses

Roy Willy Johansen (37) started Thursday 18th July on his paddling trip alone from Sisimut in Greenland. His aim was to follow the famous Viking Leiv Eriksson`s route to Newfoundland (Canada). The mentioned Viking is renowned for discovering America for thousand years ago. The 30 000 km distance he planes to cross is one of the most challenging distances on the oceans. Despite all the troubles he had the first five days, he has no intentions to give up.

His friend and manager Håkon Wang, says in an interview with a Norwegian newspaper VG, that it is only 50 % chance that he will survive. It is an extreme risky trip, but Johansen has long experience from other challenging paddling tours.

He has won the world's hardest ocean paddling race, Arctic Sea Race five times, and has achieved 18 gold in national championship, and he has participated both in the Europe and the World Championship.

The Norwegian has advanced communication equipment with him; both satellite telephone and emergency signals for tracking. Therefore he is able to send signals to the rescue operation central in Norway, Greenland and Canada if he needs help. But anyway it is an extreme risky expedition, both planes and helicopters are on a far distance, and it could be difficult to find him between the icebergs.

Will he find a hole in the ice so he can find his way further to Canada? Will he reach his target destination, and arrive to the Wine land (New Foundland) on the official Leiv Erikkson`s day the 9th October 2000? And will he survive at all?

We wish him good luck and hope the best!

Stein Morten Lund, 23 July 2000.