Legends supporting legends: Clipper Race and SKIRR Adventures to support Ross Edgley’s history making Great Icelandic Swim

The Clipper Race and SKIRR Adventures are joining forces to support ultra-marathon sea swimmer Ross Edgley as he embarks on world-first swim around Iceland. 

Starting in May this year, this history making endurance challenge will see Ross Edgley attempt to swim over 1,000 miles (1,610 km) around Iceland while conducting crucial ocean conservation research. If successful, he will become the first person to swim around Iceland.  

No stranger to high latitude exploration and endurance challenges, SKIRR Adventures will be providing a 68-foot SKIRR Adventures yacht to serve as Ross’ base for the duration of the challenge. Crewed by Race Crew and professional sailors from the Clipper Race, the team will navigate around Iceland as Ross swims to provide the base Ross will use to rest and recover between swimming shifts, with the sailing team monitoring tides, ice flow, and weather conditions to ensure Ross is prepared for the challenges ahead. 

Clipper Race and SKIRR Adventures founder, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, knows an awful lot about endurance challenges – being the first person to ever sail solo and non-stop around the world. He also first took his first expedition to Iceland in 1998.  

On Ross’ upcoming attempt, Sir Robin said: “We sail on inhospitable waters around the world with the Clipper Race and SKIRR runs yearly expeditions to Iceland. Just sailing there, the conditions are harsh enough. So, for Ross to be swimming in ice-cold seas, just shy of the Arctic Circle, day in day out, this really will be the ultimate challenge. 

“The SKIRR Adventures team is ready to support Ross with both his expedition and the ocean research being carried out as he swims.” 

Renowned for its 20 metre waves, 260 km/h gusts of wind, and storms of snow, sand and volcanic ash, Iceland presents an unforgiving test of endurance. To succeed, Ross must swim over 30 km per day in freezing waters, navigate treacherous conditions, and share the ocean with killer whales - all while contributing to vital ocean environmental and conservation research. 

Ross is ready for the challenge, however. He said: “When setting out to push frontiers, it’s essential to have the right team around you, so having the support and expertise of the Clipper Race and SKIRR Adventures for the Great Icelandic Swim is game changing. Both the Clipper Race and SKIRR are built on grit, adventure, and pushing human limits, which perfectly mirrors the spirit of this challenge. With their support, we’re rewriting what’s possible in endurance, science and exploration." 

The swim is scheduled to start on Friday 16 May 2025 off the coast of Reykjavik, Iceland. The challenge is expected to last up to three months (subject to conditions) and the exact finish date will be known towards the end of the 1,000 mile challenge.   

Coinciding with The Great Icelandic Swim, the SKIRR Adventures’ 2025 expedition begins from Gosport, Hampshire, UK, on 22 June. Split into five legs, the 4,470 nautical mile round trip takes just under three months and provides a platform for adventurers to enjoy the perfect balance of offshore sailing and the opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful landscapes and environments on the planet. 

If you're feeling ispired by adventure, there's still time to train and compete on the 2025-26 edition of the Clipper Race and the SKIRR Adventures 2025 expedition.