The man behind the sails
Martin is not like other sailors. He is driven by extreme willpower and a philosophy that the best solutions are the simple, durable ones, those that survive a storm and can be fixed with what you have on board.
With more than 70,000 nautical miles on the open ocean and a lifetime along the coast, Martin has built up maritime experience few in the world can match:
- Historic circumnavigation. The first and only Norwegian to have sailed around the world solo and non-stop, 300 days in total solitude.
- Adventurer of the Year 2026. Honoured in Norway (Årets Eventyrer) for his historic courage, raw willpower and extreme endurance.
- Against all odds. Sailed non-stop from Antigua to Norway with no engine, autopilot or windvane.
- Founder of Right Hand. Founded and runs the charity Right Hand, which among other things mobilised and lifted an entire village in Kemoto, The Gambia.
- Global experience. Has travelled and led expeditions extensively in Africa, South America, the Caribbean and Europe, giving him a deep understanding of people, cultures and project management.
- Professional rigger. Also runs Riggverksted, where he uses his own experience to make sure other people's boats can take the forces of the sea and are easy to handle.
Whether he is on stage motivating a business audience, taking the helm as a commercial skipper or optimising the rig on your boat, you get a man who knows exactly what it takes when everything is at stake.
Non-stop around the world
The circumnavigation ran from Norway, south down the Atlantic, east past the Cape of Good Hope, through the Southern Ocean and round Cape Horn, then north up the Atlantic and home again, without a single port along the way. No satellite phone, weather forecast or assistance. Alone, on a 33-footer, with no chance of reaching land if something went wrong.
It is one of the toughest things you can do in a sailing boat, and no other Norwegian has managed it. Rounding Cape Horn is often compared to climbing Mount Everest, but this was only one of the steps along the way. It gives a depth of experience you cannot get from books.
Antigua to Norway, with no windvane, autopilot or engine
From 2018 to 2020 Martin was on a long voyage in his Schelin cruiser (Schelinkryssare). In 2020 Covid arrived and put a stop to further sailing. After being "trapped" on board for several months because of restrictions, he decided to sail home to Norway. The boat, Selene, really needed extensive repairs, but that was hard to arrange under the restrictions. The engine had stopped many months earlier, and a long oar was made so the boat could be "rowed" in to anchor if the wind died.
The windvane was slightly damaged and the batteries completely dead, though they held just enough charge to keep one navigation light going through the night. The course was set, and on day three the windvane's rudder snapped clean off. Turning back was not an option. Martin had, after all, experimented with sheet-to-tiller steering before, so the decision was to carry on. Two months later Selene arrived in Norway, after countless hours of hand steering and many sleepless nights.
People who can vouch for him
Martin has given talks to and sailed with people who are happy to share their experience. Get in touch and we will put you in contact.
Book a talk,
or make a plan
Whether you want Martin on stage, a skipper with serious sea miles behind him, or help planning your own voyage, get in touch for a chat with no strings attached.