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In 2018 and 2020, famous Russian traveler Fedor Konyuknov plans to complete a solo circumnavigation of the globe on the ocean rowboat "AKROS".  The expedition will take place in three stages each beginning in the Southern Hemisphere's summer months.  Stage one starts in November 2018 and covers the distance from New Zealand's port city of Dunedin to Cape Horn in Chile.  Stage 2 will begin in December 2019 from Chile's Cape Horn, ending at Australia's Cape Leeuwin in Albany, WA.  The final Stage, in 2020, will be from Australia to New Zealand.  It is possible that different finish points will be chosen along the route depending on weather conditions. The length of the first stage will be approximately 5,500 nautical miles, with the length of the entire journey being 16 thousand nautical miles, or 27 thousand kilometres.  Fedor Konyukhov expects to complete each stage during the three summer months of December, January, and February.

On the eve of the start, Mayor of Krasnoyarsk Sergei Eremin  brought special gifts from Krasnoyarsk to Fedor Konyukhov - a warm vest, winter mittens with symbolism of Krasnoyarsk and a fur hat. And also a waterproof icon of the patron saint of travelers - Saint Nicholas, made by Krasnoyarsk masters.

"We are very pleased that in your heart you consider yourself a Siberian and  treat our city in a special way. Our presents are a piece of heat from Krasnoyarsk - the soul and strength of Siberia. Let them warm you in the hardest sea expedition", - Sergei Eremin wished.

The southern areas, on which Fedor Konyukhov is going to pave his way, are known by experienced sailors  as a "roaring forties". They will meet the traveler with storm winds and floating ice. And all this he will have to go on the oars and without escort.

 "The plan of the preparatory stage took more than a year and a half, we calculated the technical aspects of the equipment, found the best specialists to create unique and completely new three energy generation systems - wind, solar and fuel cartridges. The installation process of all navigation instruments, communications, life support took 6 months. The project itself, from the moment of issuing the technical project for the design of the boat, took a year and a half", - Fedor Konyukhov during said during the press conference.

For the reference:

Fedor Konyukhov – Born December 12, 1951, on the coast of the Sea of Azov (part of the Black Sea).

Graduated Odessa's Maritime College (Ukraine, USSR), majoring in navigation, majoring in ship mechanics. Graduated Bobruisk's College of Arts (Belorussia, USSR) majoring woodcarving.

From an early age, Fedor strived to travel and discover the world and its infinite diversity. He accomplished his first expedition at the age of fifteen, having crossed the Sea of Azov in a row boat.

In 1983, being the youngest member at the time, Fedor, was admitted to the Artists Union of USSR. In 1992 he became a member of the Moscow Artists Union – Graphic Arts section; and in 2001, became a member of the Sculpture section as well.

Gold Medal Laureate and Honorary Academician of the Russian Arts Academy and author of more than 3,000 paintings; Fedor has participated in more than 100 of Russian and international exhibitions.

A member of Russia's Journalists Union and Russia's Writers Union, Fedor is the author of seventeen books.

Awarded the 'Friendship of Peoples' medal of the USSR for the trans-Arctic ski expedition 'USSR – North Pole – Canada' (1988).

Awarded the UNEP 'GLOBAL 500' Prize for his contribution to environmental protection. He is also holder of UNESCO's 'Fair Play' Prize.

A Full member of the Russian Geographic Society, Fedor is listed in the 'Chronicles of Mankind' encyclopedia.

An Aerostat Balloon Pilot, and a Yacht Captain, Fedor has circumnavigated the globe four times, and has crossed the Atlantic Ocean fifteen times, including a row boat crossing.

The first and only person in the world, so far, to have reached the five extreme Poles on earth: the North Pole (three times); the South Pole; the Pole of Inaccessibility in the Arctic Ocean; the top of Mount Everest (Alpinists pole) (twice).  http://explorersgrandslam.com/; sailed around the world via Cape Horn (Yachtsmen pole) (four times).

By the age of fifty he had achieved more than forty unique expeditions and ascensions and had illustrated his vision of the world in countless paintings and books.

Became a Global Ambassador for Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors program in 2015.