Brave Nottingham couple get ready to set sail through the Arctic

MARRIED couple Dave and Marie Ungless are preparing to brave freezing conditions as they take on an Arctic sailing challenge. The fearless duo have travelled the world on their trusty sailing boat but their latest adventure will see them crossing dangerous icy waters. Dave, 59, and Marie, 46, from Sherwood, will be moving to Alaska in two weeks’ time before setting sail around June next year. They will be heading north from Alaska through the Arctic Ocean and the Aleutian Islands, before voyaging to Greenland and Iceland. They will then begin the long journey home to the UK. Mr Ungless is a freelance travel writer and contributes to publications in the UK, New Zealand and Australia. He said that because of the harsh winter conditions the couple must acclimatise in Alaska before beginning their adventure. He said: “Normally, the journey can be done in one season, which is about two months. We’re not the first to have tried it and a number of other boats have attempted but failed. “The route wasn’t even possible a few years ago but because of global warming the passage is now open.” The pair married in 2011 after meeting at Dave’s former marketing business in the Lace Market, named Perspektiv Limited, which he sold in 2012. Both keen sailors, they have been travelling around the globe together since 2005 to remote locations including Sudan, Yemen and Indonesia as well as sailing this year to Tahiti, Hawaii and British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada, and now Alaska. They travel in their trusty sailing boat called Sänna, which has been adapted to include solar panels, a wind generator and a watermaker. Mr Ungless said: “We’ve been all over the world, it would be difficult to pick a favourite. British Columbia was really good. “I’ve been sailing most of my life. I lived in Scandinavia, Finland and Sweden for a while and I’ve sailed around the north west coast of Scotland. “I also do a lot of climbing and Alpine trekking. I’ve always lived an outdoors life.” First mate and wife Marie also loves the outdoors and has travelled nearly 30,000 miles over a number of the world’s oceans. Mrs Ungless said she always looks forward to every journey that the couple take. She said: “Everything we go on is interesting and an adventure. I have to admit, though, I do prefer the warmer climates! “I’ve always done a bit of sailing and spent a lot of time on the water, but Dave has taken it to a new level. “I think we’ve always fancied going to Alaska and it’s always just been one big journey, so it was like the next step and we love a challenge.”