Fridays in February Speaker Series | Ice, Germs and Fire – Irene’s Double-Handed Circumnavigation

Ice, Germs and Fire –

Irene’s Double-Handed Circumnavigation

Ginger and Peter Niemann

s/v Irene Herreshoff 50' Ketch

Ginger and Peter sailed around the world aboard their ketch Irene (homeport Ballard).  They took an eastabout route in the Northern Hemisphere via the Northwest Passage, Europe and SE Asia. They left Ballard in 2016, completed the Northwest Passage in 2017 (the ice part) and then sailed the eastern seaboard of the US, crossed the North Atlantic and cruised the Baltic and Mediterranean seas. COVID hit the world while they were in Turkey, and they decided to try to sail home directly and as quickly as possible via the Suez Canal, Indian Ocean and North Pacific (the germs part). They found themselves in the Red Sea in high summer (the fire part) and did indeed (despite surprises and misadventures) return home to the Salish Sea in August 2021. This is their story.

Ginger and Peter have just been announced as the recipients of the Cruising Club of America’s Blue Water Medal for 2021. Previously they received the CCA’s Far Horizons Award for 2019. 

Social Hour         6:30 – 7:00 pm

Program              7:00 – 8:30 pm

Location              Virtual via Zoom

• Please join us this winter on Friday evenings in February for talks and slide shows by CYC members and guest speakers about their cruising and racing adventures. This is a fun and educational way to spend a few winter evenings with friends and inspire your own sailing adventures for 2022 and beyond.  REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Meeting login emailed to all registrants. $5 charge for non-members.

Above: Irene in the Artic during her Northwest Passage. Photo by Jan Wangaard

Above: Irene Peter out on the bow sprit

Above: Irene Peter and Ginger underway

Above: Irene in Scotland with a Castle