Norbert Sedlecek Koch is the founder of Innovation Yachts. In July 2026, he will attempt to sail nonstop unassisted solo around the world passing through all the world's oceans, and becoming the first person to do so. He has already circumnavigated in a boat he built and in the Vendee Globe, and he has circumnavigated Antarctica. Innovation Yachts designs and builds custom yachts with attention to detail and sustainability in mind. They also make their own epoxy matrix using volcanic stone. His yacht is an Innovation Yachts Open 60, Ant Arctic Lab. 

We talk about the Ant Arctic Lab Challenge, Innovation Yachts' bio based epoxy matrix, boats made at Innovation Yachts, how the boats are built, building a prototype, using balsa core and Airex, negative bows, what it's like to sail his open 60, sailing into older age, circumnavigating Antarctica in an aluminum boat, the benefit of a lifting keel while surfing downwind in heavy conditions, hand-steering vs using the autopilot in heavy conditions, ice and icebergs, staying warm while sailing in cold conditions, arriving in Martinique after the Transat without a rudder, whales, the Vendee Globe, fear, and more.

Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page

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