Using Cutting-edge Science to Collect Vital Ocean Data With The Swiss Polar Institute
The Swiss Polar Institute will place cutting-edge science onboard our IMOCA and carry out a robust and innovative data collection campaign during both the training and racing phases of the Vendée Globe challenge between 2023 and 2025.
As a major regulator of the global carbon and energy cycle, the Southern Ocean represents one of the key modulators of the global climate system. The Vendée Globe race and campaign represent a unique opportunity for science to access data in understudied yet critical ocean regions.
- Oceanographic measurements using instruments developed and tested for implementation on sailing yachts. Measurements typically include parameters such as temperature, salinity and dissolved CO2 concentrations.
- Study of marine extreme events, notably harmful impacts on marine organisms and ecosystems.
- Integration of the collected data into scientific publications, including open access data repositories.
- Swiss-wide collaboration by leading Swiss science groups at ETH Zurich, the University of Bern and the University of Lausanne coordinated by the Swiss Polar Institute.
The Scientists
Oceanpack Race
The Instruments
To carry out the measurements, an OceanPack RACE® underway system manufactured by the German company subCtech will be installed and fitted with the following additional options:
- RACE CO2 auto-calibration
- RACE Thermosalinograph
- RACE GPS marine receiver
Strengthening Swiss Polar Science
Created to provide services to and promote synergies within the polar community in Switzerland, the Swiss Polar Institute conducts science in and around polar and high-altitude regions that are critical to understanding the evolution of the Earth’s climate.