Go around the world vertically. This is the challenge that sailors Paula Gonzalvo and Pedro Jiménez have set for themselves, when on November 15 they set sail from the port of Castellón with the sailboat ‘Alegría Marineros’, in an unprecedented adventure … and which will last approximately 12 months: carry out the first circumnavigation of the world by sea connecting the two Poles, the North and the South, in a vertical journey, totaling more than 35,000 nautical miles (about 65,000 kilometers) and traveling the five oceans.
On board, two captains who have lived and breathed the sea for years: Paula Gonzalvo (Allende los mares) and Pedro Jiménez (Alegría Marineros). This expedition, baptized as Around the Vertical World, combines extreme adventure, science and environmental commitment, and is emerging as an unprecedented road map in the history of world navigation.
Planning requires strict timing: first travel through the southern hemisphere in the southern summer (December-January) and then head north (June-July) to take advantage of continuous light, reduced ice and more favorable conditions.
An unprecedented and extreme route
Unlike traditional circumnavigations, which usually follow latitudes or equatorial routes, this journey adopts a vertical axis that connects the 0° meridian to 180°, crossing Antarctica (south) and the Arctic (north).
In the words of Paula Gonzalvo: «we realized that it had never been done before: joining the two polar circles in a sailing trip around the world. “It’s a big challenge because it involves going around Antarctica and then going through the Northwest Passage between Canada and Greenland.”
the ship
The ‘Alegría Marineros’ is a 21-meter-long sailboat, built in aluminum and reinforced for polar environments: two autopilots, two radars, multiple GPS, five cameras, triple satellite communication and duplicate energy systems that guarantee safety in the most extreme conditions.
Paula contributes more than 65,000 miles sailed, while Pedro exceeds 200,000, including numerous polar crossings. Their accumulated experience will be key to facing stages of up to 100 days without stops in Antarctica and without the possibility of contacting human life thousands of miles away, so any setback can be a problem.
Scientific programs
Return to the Vertical World is not just a feat. The expedition has a marked scientific nature: collection of samples of marine biodiversity, analysis of microplastics in polar waters, recording of marine soundscapes to study mammals and anthropogenic noise, and meteorological and oceanographic measurements in real time. Institutions such as the University of Alicante, the Ramón Margalef Multidisciplinary Institute, the UN Decade of the Oceans and True World support the project.
In addition, followers will be able to follow live from anywhere on the planet thanks to installed cameras and data shared during the journey.
Impact and legacy
Beyond the thousands of miles, it is a project that seeks to inspire, educate and highlight the vulnerability of the planet. By sailing in the most remote regions, Paula and Pedro will show first-hand the effects of climate change, marine pollution and the urgency of caring for the oceans. Simultaneously, its initiative promotes gender equality in sports sailing and Spanish seafaring culture.
For Spain, the Vertical Tour of the World represents an opportunity for international projection. With its maritime tradition, nautical industry and growing talent, the country can be at the forefront of ocean exploration.
“The challenge is very demanding,” admits Paula, “but we are prepared to take a step forward and show that Spanish sailing is also committed to great exploration.”
Spain continues to be a pioneer
This project combines adventure, science and consciousness. It is an excursion to the limit that, as a pioneer, goes directly into the history books of navigation. The Vertical Vuelta not only marks a technical and sporting milestone, but also a symbol that sailing can reinvent itself, connect with other audiences and generate real impact.
There are no known expeditions that have circled the world passing through both poles. From the first circumnavigation carried out by Magallanes and Elcano, who sailed around the world sailing towards the west, to the most numerous and traditional ones, whether by sports (The Ocean Race, Vendée Globe, Global Solo Challenge, etc.), which sail towards the east crossing the three great capes, Buena Esperanza (South Africa), Leeuwin (Australia) and Hornos (Chile); Gonzalvo and Jiménez may be the first known to take this Vertical Turn. It is not a competition, it is a challenge and it can mean a milestone.
In a world where the sea demands urgent attention, this expedition unifies pioneering spirit, technology, training and narrative. For nautical lovers, it is a beacon. For the country, a powerful signal: when Spain sets out to sea, it does so to reach the furthest distance.
