Raft: Rahiti Tane | Raft: Tupac Yupanqui
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I am Signe Meling (27) from Haugesund, Norway. I am the captain on Rahiti Tane on the second leg of the journey. I grew up half in landlocked Switzerland, half in Haugesund next to the sea. I have had a passion for the sea as long as I can remember. The transition from motor- and oar-powered vessels to sailboats happened when I was a student at Fosen Folkehøgskole, where I spent two years. Since then I have studied nautical engineering at the University of Tromsø sailed Christian Radich, Havhingsten fra Glendalough, Draken Harald Hårfagre, and a modern sloop back and forth across the Atlantic before spending two years onboard a supply vessel in the North Sea. I also own my own 28 foot sailboat that I lived on while studying. On this trip I hope to contribute with my knowledge of square sailing, rig work, my good mood and vegetarian cooking. I speak English, French, Spanish and Norwegian.
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My name is Ola Borgfjord and I am from Statsbygd in Trøndelag, Norway. I am the captain on Tupac Yupanqui on the second leg. I have been interested in boat building and sailing for as long as I can remember, and I now work as a boat builder. I mostly build traditional Åfjord-boats, which is also my favourite type of boat. The last 3 years I have worked as a sailor/boat builder on the vikingship Draken Harald Hårfagre. Other than boats my interests involve fishing, hunting and being outdoors in the mountains. This expedition will be a lot of fun and a very interesting experience. I will also be part of the raft building team, and am sure that my skills will be of good use both before and during the trip.
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My name is Liv Arnesen and I live in Bekkestua, Norway. I'm divorced, and have daughters and grandchildren. When I was 6 years old I watched the documentary about the Kon-Tiki with my father. Since then I have followed Thor Heyerdahl via books and expeditions. I am inspired in my work by his interdisciplinary research, multi-cultural co-operation and the protection of the global environment. I am a former high school teacher and have after my solo expedition to the South Pole in 1994 combined education and adventure. Our Bancroft Arnesen Access Water expeditions are a result of inspiration from Thor Heyerdahl. I am also a board member of The Thor Heyerdahl Institute, an Institution that reflects the visions of Thor Heyerdahl. My contribution to Kon-Tiki2 is my experience with being on long expeditions, combined with educational programs and extreme survival skills.
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My name is Torgeir Sæverud Higraff (42) and I am the expedition leader of Kon-Tiki2. My wife Mona and I have two kids and live in Heggedal, Norway. As far back as I can remember, Thor Heyerdahl has always been my hero. I build my first raft when I was seven years old, and the last one was for the historical drama film Kon-Tiki (2012). I love to recreate all kind of prehistoric transoceanic contact. I have combined expeditions like Tangaroa and Nanoq with academic studies, journalism and teaching. My passion for ancient cultures started twenty years ago when I traveled in a 1979 Toyota Corolla from Tennessee to Costa Rica and eventually ended up in Peru.
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 I am Sergey Goltsov (38), a doctor who lives & works together with my wife, Elena, in Russia. I have always been fascinated by the Origins of life on Earth, Evolution and human development. These interests have pulled me to the Equatorial latitudes on 3 socio-anthropological expeditions. There, I have worked as a doctor & scientist in East & West Africa and Papua New Guinea. Thor Heyerdahl's expeditions and his Russian crewmate Yuri Senkevich have also inspired me. They helped reveal that the oceans are full of many wonderful secrets. My main responsibility on Kon-Tiki II will be to look after the health & well-being of our crews. And maybe I will get to exercise some of my skills as an advanced diver & nature-photographer. Sergey's blog, in Russian
|  My name is Erik Clasen, 45 years old, born and raised in Oslo. Today I live in a small town called Elverum with my partner Linda and our three kids. Elverum is surrounded by woods and is known for forestry, which is ironic considering my passion for the sea. I am a former swimmer and I have been snorkling and scubadiving since my early teens. I love whitewater and I still spend as much time as possible near or in the water. I have worked in the fitness industry since 1995 and been working as a Personal Trainer for over 15 years. For the last 12 years I've been managing Family Sport Club Elverum. I'm looking forward to be a part of this crew and continue in the footsteps of Thor Heyerdahl.
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My name is Lisa te Heuheu I am New Zealand Māori and descend from the indigenous peoples of New Zealand. I grew up in Turangi and live in Kuratau, a small rural community on the southern shores of Lake Taupo. I love the outdoors, and have a wide range of interests. I am currently a team member for Access Water Ganges expedition to India 2015 and have been with "Your Expedition" since 2009. I currently do national and international work assisting indigenous peoples in their care for the environment My passions of the outdoors, environmental protection and restoration, education and indigenous peoples work are all combined in this expedition and I am looking forward to the experience. My blog
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My name is Jimmy Blom (31). I work as a county administrative board
fisheries advisor. Since I was young I have been fascinated by all things
aquatic. To drift on a majestic balsa raft seeing an entire ecosystem
developing around you has been a dream of mine since I read Kontiki by Thor
Heyerdahl. I've been fishing for the big pelagics, tunas, marlins and
sharks, of the Seychelles. And now I have the opportunity to be fisherman
in charge and the expert on marine vertebrate life of the expedition.
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I am Rasmus Erlandsson (30), biologist from Stockholm,
Sweden. My interest for traditional sailing vessels started aboard the
Swedish tall ship m/s
Shamrock. It aggravated when I attended the boat building and
sailing courses at Fosen
folkehøgskole, Norway. Moving back from Norway I sailed the
1100 nautical miles from Trondheim to Stockholm in an open, 6 meter
long Norwegian traditional Åfjords-boat. I have sailed from
Norway to the Faroe Islands and back without compass, and been part of
the crew on Draken
Harald Hårfagre. Currently I am a PhD student in the Swedish
Arctic fox
project at Stockholm University. Researching the ecology of the
endangered Scandinavian arctic fox. Work gives me plenty of time
trekking in the Scandinavian mountains, but less time for sailing.
Since I red Tigris by Thor Heyerdahl, some 12 years ago, I have been
keen to sail with a truly primitive vessel. I hope to contribute with
my good mood, my square sailing skills and my experience from making
observations and collecting data for research.
|  My name is Roberto Sala (53) from Peru. I am married and have one daughter. I am a retired navy officer and Naval engineer. I have taken survival courses (sea and jungle) as well as scuba diving and parachuting. I have experience at sea being part of the crew in war, scientific and cargo vessels. After working in my country's navy, I obtained a MBA and a PMP-certificate. Currently, I am working in my own food packaging company and occasionally lecture postgraduate courses at business school. I am an experienced sailor and I am familiar with celestial navigation. I was part of the crew on the raft during the expedition Tangaroa, crossing the Pacific on a giant raft in 85 days. I hope to be part of this new adventure and enjoy the time at sea.
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My name is Pedro De La Torre. I come from a country with an attractive coastline and marine diversity and where my appreciation for the sea was born: Mexico. Marine science and engineering is my education and interest. Recently, I moved to Norway and work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. My job is to put cables, nuts and bolts together to bring us valuable information from the bottom of the Trondheim fjord and its surroundings. In the past, I have worked in Saudi Arabia (at KAUST) and Australia. In these and other places I have had the opportunity to study the important relation that exists between the local communities and the sea. Ingrid, my girlfriend, also studies the sea and its inhabitants.
| My name is Erlend Koppergård (23), and I'm the film photographer on Tupaq. I have studied the making of documentaries at Lillehammer University College, and have worked at NRK. Ever since I read the Kon-Tiki book, I've been fascinated by Thor Heyerdahl — both as a scientist and an adventurer. My goal is to capture the drama, the epic nature, and the small moments onboard the raft.
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My name is Evgeny Orlov (54), and my art-pseudonym is Evgenij Shtilj. I am an adventurer, photographer and cameraman from Russia, Moscow. My education is from the Institute of Cinematography (the VGIK in Moscow) and I also have a degree in painting and drawing from the Art school in Altay. I am ready to film and photograph on the Kon-Tiki2 Expection and my goal is to make a documentary movie in Russian. In 2002, I was trained at the Moscow Yacht School and received the status of skipper. In the past, I have been on sea-faring expeditions in the Arctic Ocean, the White Sea, the Mediterranean, the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Black Sea. Also, I have travelled extensively on Russian rivers (Volga, Ob, Lena). On land, I have crossed the Eurasian continent in a 4x4 and been on expeditions in the Sahara Desert (Mauritania, Western Sahara, Morocco). I participated in archaeological excavations on Mount. Altai (3 seasons) and in Mount. Dzungarian Ala Tau. I like spearfishing, and I cooking. And I love classical music.
Evgeny's site, in Russian
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I'm Andrey Chesnokov (26). I live in Moscow, Russia. Since my
childhood I wanted to be an explorer. So I'm glad to be a part of this
incredible expedition as a chronicler. When I was twelve, I joined the
"South-West" tourist club, where my chief Vladimir Muzalyov inspired
me to keep the diary during my journeys. Also this was the first time
I heard about Thor Heyerdahl. Obviously, for a twelve year old boy, it
became a dream to be like him. I am fond of sports such as alpinism,
climbing, snowboarding and mountainbiking. I have a rich experience of
traveling. In total, I have traveled about 300 km on the Volga river
in a dinghy. Also I have cycled in Kyrgyzstan around Issyk-Kul lake,
and around the Crimean peninsula. This summer I climbed the Beluha
mountain (4509 meters, Altay, Russia). I am looking forward to a great
expedition, let the Luck follow all of us! Andrey's blog, in Russian
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Raft: Rahiti Tane | Raft: Tupac Yupanqui
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My name is Kari Skår Dahl and I will be the skipper on the raft Rahiti Tane on the first leg. I grew up in the beautiful coastal town Kristiansand, Norway. At 17 I left home to see the world, first as an AFS exchange student in Illinois, later as au-pair in Sitges, Spain. I took a bachelor degree in comparative literature at the University of Bergen, and while working at sea I have taken enough university courses for two more bachelor degrees. I started sailing on Statsraad Lehmkuhl for three years before finishing my maritime education. I have sailed on many different ships, and now I have the best job in the world! My employer is Redningsselskapet, and I am chief officer on a search-and-rescue-vessel called Kristian Gerhard Jebsen. I am a navigator, diver, rescue officer, teacher and a cook. My blog is KonTiki-Kari.
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My name is Øyvin Lauten (64), I love sailing and I will be the skipper on Tupac Yupanqui on the first leg. I live in Stavern with my wife Inger. We have two daughters and two grandchildren. I have been tied to the sea ever since my uncle in Egersund presented me to professional fishing when I was nine years old. I've been everything from laboratory technician at the Geological Institute in Oslo to goat herdsman in Røldal and scaffolding constructor on oil rigs in the 70's. I've also done chimney construction, but I eventually became a carpenter and winded up as a teacher in the birthplace of Thor Heyerdahl: Larvik. The last seven years I've worked on the 3-masted steel bark Statsraad Lehmkuhl, as a carpenter and sailor. In 2006 I went to Peru to build the balsa raft Tangaroa and sail the Pacific in the wake of the Kon-Tiki. The Tangaroa Expedition was very successful and beautiful – it will be a great pleasure to sail a raft again!
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I am Pål Børresen (52), half Norwegian and half Canadian, living in Oslo, Norway. I am married and have two daughters, 17 and 22 years old. I work in a maritime global company, DNV GL as a HR-manager with responsibility for leadership-development in Europe, Africa and Americas. I have been sailing since I was a little boy. My biggest dream since I was 18 was to sail around the world. I have a high passion for sailing and for adventures, and I am a devoted environmentalist. As one of the two officers on the raft Rahiti Tane I can contribute to make people cooperate in challenging environments and work together despite their different backgrounds and cultures. My main responsibility is life rafts and safety equipment. I look forward to be part of a historical journey in the spirit of my hero and inspiration: Thor Heyerdahl.
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My name is Torgeir Sæverud Higraff (42) and I am the expedition leader of Kon-Tiki2. My wife Mona and I have two kids and live in Heggedal, Norway. As far back as I can remember, Thor Heyerdahl has always been my hero. I build my first raft when I was seven years old, and the last one was for the historical drama film Kon-Tiki (2012). I love to recreate all kind of prehistoric transoceanic contact. I have combined expeditions like Tangaroa and Nanoq with academic studies, journalism and teaching. My passion for ancient cultures started twenty years ago when I traveled in a 1979 Toyota Corolla from Tennessee to Costa Rica and eventually ended up in Peru.
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 My name is Boris Romanov, from Moscow, Russia. I am the expedition doctor of Kon-Tiki2 from Peru to Easter Island. I will also have medical support from Radio Medico in case of severe injuries. I'm married and have grown-up son and daughter. I work in a private hospital - Endosurgery Center - based in Moscow, where my specialties are intensive therapy and anaesthesiology. I used to work in Chukotka, in tough and challenging northern conditions. In 2008 I took part in a ski marathon on Greenland – The Arctic Circle Race. I am also a swimmer and have participated in Swimtrek Competitions in open water. Thor Heyerdahl is still well known in Russia and among Russians he is a highly respected person. For me it's a big honor to take part in this unprecedented event! With all my eagerness I'll try my best and give all my experience and skills to take care of the health of the crew. I hope and believe the expedition will be safe and sound, so my medical expertice won't be needed.
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I am Håkon Wium Lie (50), CTO of Opera Software, and CTO of the expedition. I've been fascinated by communication technologies all my life. The rafts we will be sailing are primitive, yet effective, examples of communication technologies that linked civilizations together in the past. At Opera, we are really good at linking people together in the present – Opera Mini gives people web access from places where no other browser can go, and Opera Max optimizes internet access over narrow connections. On this expedition, I want to see if its is possible to be part of, even contribute to, digital communities over a satellite connection. In my childhood, I constructed rafts from driftwood (I'm on the right) and along with my father I built a dinghy. These days I have sailboat called 404.
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I am Signe Meling (27) from Haugesund, Norway. I grew up half in landlocked Switzerland, half in Haugesund next to the sea. I have had a passion for the sea as long as I can remember. The transition from motor- and oar-powered vessels to sailboats happened when I was a student at Fosen Folkehøgskole, where I spent two years. Since then I have studied nautical engineering at the University of Tromsø sailed Christian Radich, Havhingsten fra Glendalough, Draken Harald Hårfagre, and a modern sloop back and forth across the Atlantic before spending two years onboard a supply vessel in the North Sea. I also own my own 28 foot sailboat that I lived on while studying. On this trip I hope to contribute with my knowledge of square sailing, rig work, my good mood and vegetarian cooking. I speak English, French, Spanish and Norwegian.
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My name is Jostein Alvær Heidenstrøm (19). I finished high school this spring and I live in Hurum, Norway. My greatest passion has been traveling and exploring. I am very familiar with the water element. I am a good swimmer and enjoy to be near, on or in water – like scuba diving, snorkeling, kayak, stand up paddleboarding, waterski, wakeboard and rowing. I have been on several outdoor journeys, but this will be my first real expedition experience and I fulfill my dream of being a real adventurer. On this journey, I will be in charge of social media updates and I'll take part in the most critical physically demanding tasks.
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I am Gunvor Storaas (25) from Norheimsund, Hardanger, Norway. Being in boats, on the ocean is one of the best things. When I was 17 years old, I got a summer job on the old traditional sailing boat, S/J Mathilde, at Hardanger Maritime Center. For about 8 years I had my summer job onboard, sailing along the coast, learning about traditional boats, sailing, rope making, and rigging. At Fosen folkehøgskole I continued to learn about sailing, sailing in traditional wooden boats with square sails. I have also taken a bachelor degree in outdoor life at the University College of Telemark, Bø. For the last year I have been working at Fosen folkehøgskole as a teacher in sailing and outdoor life. I found that very interesting and challenging, learning people about sailing and staying outside over a longer period of time. I hope my knowledge on sailing will be useful and helpful on the raft.
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My name is Ola Borgfjord and I am from Statsbygd in Trøndelag, Norway. I have been interested in boat building and sailing for as long as I can remember, and I now work as a boat builder. I mostly build traditional Åfjord-boats, which is also my favourite type of boat. The last 3 years I have worked as a sailor/boat builder on the vikingship Draken Harald Hårfagre. Other than boats my interests involve fishing, hunting and being outdoors in the mountains. This expedition will be a lot of fun and a very interesting experience. I will also be part of the raft building team, and am sure that my skills will be of good use both before and during the trip.
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I am Cecilie Mauritzen (54) from Oslo, Norway, where I live with my husband Joe and our youngest son. I am trained as a physical oceanographer, with a PhD from MIT and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Most of my career I have worked as a scientist, focusing on the ocean's role in climate. I have been Lead Author for IPCC's 4th and 5th Assessment Reports, this last time for the chapter on the oceans. I love being at sea, and can't wait to get out on Rahiti Tane! I will be the expedition's Chief Scientist and we will be making measurements of pollution and climate change in the ocean. We will work hard to make the research available and understandable real time. Since the expedition coincides with the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change in Paris, it is particularly important that we try to broadcast what we find concerning the degradation of the health of the stateless, multi-million dollar economy called the World Ocean. I blog on Kon-Tiki2 science (og på norsk).
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I'm Andrey Chesnokov (26). I live in Moscow, Russia. Since my
childhood I wanted to be an explorer. So I'm glad to be a part of this
incredible expedition as a chronicler. When I was twelve, I joined the
"South-West" tourist club, where my chief Vladimir Muzalyov inspired
me to keep the diary during my journeys. Also this was the first time
I heard about Thor Heyerdahl. Obviously, for a twelve year old boy, it
became a dream to be like him. I am fond of sports such as alpinism,
climbing, snowboarding and mountainbiking. I have a rich experience of
traveling. In total, I have traveled about 300 km on the Volga river
in a dinghy. Also I have cycled in Kyrgyzstan around Issyk-Kul lake,
and around the Crimean peninsula. This summer I climbed the Beluha
mountain (4509 meters, Altay, Russia). I am looking forward to a great
expedition, let the Luck follow all of us!
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My name is Esteban Contreras (38). I originate from Chile, but I've
lived most of my life in Norway. I started work as a carpenter and
have worked on many exciting projects, like restoring old historic
buildings. I am what one calls a handyman. Today I work as an
occupational therapist at the high security psychiatric hospital in
Bergen. Every day is different, and some days can be a challenge. I
started travelling when I was quite young. I was curious about
South-America and travelling there taught me about myself and the
culture I stem from. I have also travelled in India, where learned a
lot about culture, religion and what a struggle everyday life could
be. My spare time is spent managing a boxing/thaiboxing club in
Bergen.
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I am David Short (30), from Mossley, North West England, a long way from
the sea.
I visited the Kon-Tiki Museum and the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo around ten
years ago and became completely fascinated. This new interest, coupled with
a lot of good fortune led me to sail with Havhingsten Fra Glendalough, my
first time at sea, and an extreme introduction!
I have sailed on modern yachts, catamarans, full-rigger Ostindiafararen
Götheborg and for the last three summers sailed with Draken Harald Hårfagre.
I hope to bring to the project modern and traditional rigging skills,
square sail experience, and a positive and friendly attitude.
I am interested to learn more about these type of rafts and how a group
interacts when isolated for weeks and weeks. I also intend to practice
Celestial Navigation along the way.
I feel incredibly lucky and honoured to be a part of this project, it would
have seemed an impossible dream ten years ago in Oslo.
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I am Signe Meling (27) from Haugesund, Norway. I am the captain on Rahiti Tane on the second leg of the journey. I grew up half in landlocked Switzerland, half in Haugesund next to the sea. I have had a passion for the sea as long as I can remember. The transition from motor- and oar-powered vessels to sailboats happened when I was a student at Fosen Folkehøgskole, where I spent two years. Since then I have studied nautical engineering at the University of Tromsø sailed Christian Radich, Havhingsten fra Glendalough, Draken Harald Hårfagre, and a modern sloop back and forth across the Atlantic before spending two years onboard a supply vessel in the North Sea. I also own my own 28 foot sailboat that I lived on while studying. On this trip I hope to contribute with my knowledge of square sailing, rig work, my good mood and vegetarian cooking. I speak English, French, Spanish and Norwegian.
My name is Ola Borgfjord and I am from Statsbygd in Trøndelag, Norway. I am the captain on Tupac Yupanqui on the second leg. I have been interested in boat building and sailing for as long as I can remember, and I now work as a boat builder. I mostly build traditional Åfjord-boats, which is also my favourite type of boat. The last 3 years I have worked as a sailor/boat builder on the vikingship Draken Harald Hårfagre. Other than boats my interests involve fishing, hunting and being outdoors in the mountains. This expedition will be a lot of fun and a very interesting experience. I will also be part of the raft building team, and am sure that my skills will be of good use both before and during the trip.
My name is Liv Arnesen and I live in Bekkestua, Norway. I'm divorced, and have daughters and grandchildren. When I was 6 years old I watched the documentary about the Kon-Tiki with my father. Since then I have followed Thor Heyerdahl via books and expeditions. I am inspired in my work by his interdisciplinary research, multi-cultural co-operation and the protection of the global environment. I am a former high school teacher and have after my solo expedition to the South Pole in 1994 combined education and adventure. Our Bancroft Arnesen Access Water expeditions are a result of inspiration from Thor Heyerdahl. I am also a board member of The Thor Heyerdahl Institute, an Institution that reflects the visions of Thor Heyerdahl. My contribution to Kon-Tiki2 is my experience with being on long expeditions, combined with educational programs and extreme survival skills.
My name is Torgeir Sæverud Higraff (42) and I am the expedition leader of Kon-Tiki2. My wife Mona and I have two kids and live in Heggedal, Norway. As far back as I can remember, Thor Heyerdahl has always been my hero. I build my first raft when I was seven years old, and the last one was for the historical drama film Kon-Tiki (2012). I love to recreate all kind of prehistoric transoceanic contact. I have combined expeditions like Tangaroa and Nanoq with academic studies, journalism and teaching. My passion for ancient cultures started twenty years ago when I traveled in a 1979 Toyota Corolla from Tennessee to Costa Rica and eventually ended up in Peru.
I am Sergey Goltsov (38), a doctor who lives & works together with my wife, Elena, in Russia. I have always been fascinated by the Origins of life on Earth, Evolution and human development. These interests have pulled me to the Equatorial latitudes on 3 socio-anthropological expeditions. There, I have worked as a doctor & scientist in East & West Africa and Papua New Guinea. Thor Heyerdahl's expeditions and his Russian crewmate Yuri Senkevich have also inspired me. They helped reveal that the oceans are full of many wonderful secrets. My main responsibility on Kon-Tiki II will be to look after the health & well-being of our crews. And maybe I will get to exercise some of my skills as an advanced diver & nature-photographer. Sergey's blog, in Russian
My name is Erik Clasen, 45 years old, born and raised in Oslo. Today I live in a small town called Elverum with my partner Linda and our three kids. Elverum is surrounded by woods and is known for forestry, which is ironic considering my passion for the sea. I am a former swimmer and I have been snorkling and scubadiving since my early teens. I love whitewater and I still spend as much time as possible near or in the water. I have worked in the fitness industry since 1995 and been working as a Personal Trainer for over 15 years. For the last 12 years I've been managing Family Sport Club Elverum. I'm looking forward to be a part of this crew and continue in the footsteps of Thor Heyerdahl.
My name is Lisa te Heuheu I am New Zealand Māori and descend from the indigenous peoples of New Zealand. I grew up in Turangi and live in Kuratau, a small rural community on the southern shores of Lake Taupo. I love the outdoors, and have a wide range of interests. I am currently a team member for Access Water Ganges expedition to India 2015 and have been with "Your Expedition" since 2009. I currently do national and international work assisting indigenous peoples in their care for the environment My passions of the outdoors, environmental protection and restoration, education and indigenous peoples work are all combined in this expedition and I am looking forward to the experience. My blog
My name is Jimmy Blom (31). I work as a county administrative board
fisheries advisor. Since I was young I have been fascinated by all things
aquatic. To drift on a majestic balsa raft seeing an entire ecosystem
developing around you has been a dream of mine since I read Kontiki by Thor
Heyerdahl. I've been fishing for the big pelagics, tunas, marlins and
sharks, of the Seychelles. And now I have the opportunity to be fisherman
in charge and the expert on marine vertebrate life of the expedition.
I am Rasmus Erlandsson (30), biologist from Stockholm,
Sweden. My interest for traditional sailing vessels started aboard the
Swedish tall ship m/s
Shamrock. It aggravated when I attended the boat building and
sailing courses at Fosen
folkehøgskole, Norway. Moving back from Norway I sailed the
1100 nautical miles from Trondheim to Stockholm in an open, 6 meter
long Norwegian traditional Åfjords-boat. I have sailed from
Norway to the Faroe Islands and back without compass, and been part of
the crew on Draken
Harald Hårfagre. Currently I am a PhD student in the Swedish
Arctic fox
project at Stockholm University. Researching the ecology of the
endangered Scandinavian arctic fox. Work gives me plenty of time
trekking in the Scandinavian mountains, but less time for sailing.
Since I red Tigris by Thor Heyerdahl, some 12 years ago, I have been
keen to sail with a truly primitive vessel. I hope to contribute with
my good mood, my square sailing skills and my experience from making
observations and collecting data for research.
My name is Roberto Sala (53) from Peru. I am married and have one daughter. I am a retired navy officer and Naval engineer. I have taken survival courses (sea and jungle) as well as scuba diving and parachuting. I have experience at sea being part of the crew in war, scientific and cargo vessels. After working in my country's navy, I obtained a MBA and a PMP-certificate. Currently, I am working in my own food packaging company and occasionally lecture postgraduate courses at business school. I am an experienced sailor and I am familiar with celestial navigation. I was part of the crew on the raft during the expedition Tangaroa, crossing the Pacific on a giant raft in 85 days. I hope to be part of this new adventure and enjoy the time at sea.
My name is Pedro De La Torre. I come from a country with an attractive coastline and marine diversity and where my appreciation for the sea was born: Mexico. Marine science and engineering is my education and interest. Recently, I moved to Norway and work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. My job is to put cables, nuts and bolts together to bring us valuable information from the bottom of the Trondheim fjord and its surroundings. In the past, I have worked in Saudi Arabia (at KAUST) and Australia. In these and other places I have had the opportunity to study the important relation that exists between the local communities and the sea. Ingrid, my girlfriend, also studies the sea and its inhabitants.
My name is Evgeny Orlov (54), and my art-pseudonym is Evgenij Shtilj. I am an adventurer, photographer and cameraman from Russia, Moscow. My education is from the Institute of Cinematography (the VGIK in Moscow) and I also have a degree in painting and drawing from the Art school in Altay. I am ready to film and photograph on the Kon-Tiki2 Expection and my goal is to make a documentary movie in Russian. In 2002, I was trained at the Moscow Yacht School and received the status of skipper. In the past, I have been on sea-faring expeditions in the Arctic Ocean, the White Sea, the Mediterranean, the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Black Sea. Also, I have travelled extensively on Russian rivers (Volga, Ob, Lena). On land, I have crossed the Eurasian continent in a 4x4 and been on expeditions in the Sahara Desert (Mauritania, Western Sahara, Morocco). I participated in archaeological excavations on Mount. Altai (3 seasons) and in Mount. Dzungarian Ala Tau. I like spearfishing, and I cooking. And I love classical music.
Evgeny's site, in Russian
I'm Andrey Chesnokov (26). I live in Moscow, Russia. Since my
childhood I wanted to be an explorer. So I'm glad to be a part of this
incredible expedition as a chronicler. When I was twelve, I joined the
"South-West" tourist club, where my chief Vladimir Muzalyov inspired
me to keep the diary during my journeys. Also this was the first time
I heard about Thor Heyerdahl. Obviously, for a twelve year old boy, it
became a dream to be like him. I am fond of sports such as alpinism,
climbing, snowboarding and mountainbiking. I have a rich experience of
traveling. In total, I have traveled about 300 km on the Volga river
in a dinghy. Also I have cycled in Kyrgyzstan around Issyk-Kul lake,
and around the Crimean peninsula. This summer I climbed the Beluha
mountain (4509 meters, Altay, Russia). I am looking forward to a great
expedition, let the Luck follow all of us! Andrey's blog, in Russian
My name is Kari Skår Dahl and I will be the skipper on the raft Rahiti Tane on the first leg. I grew up in the beautiful coastal town Kristiansand, Norway. At 17 I left home to see the world, first as an AFS exchange student in Illinois, later as au-pair in Sitges, Spain. I took a bachelor degree in comparative literature at the University of Bergen, and while working at sea I have taken enough university courses for two more bachelor degrees. I started sailing on Statsraad Lehmkuhl for three years before finishing my maritime education. I have sailed on many different ships, and now I have the best job in the world! My employer is Redningsselskapet, and I am chief officer on a search-and-rescue-vessel called Kristian Gerhard Jebsen. I am a navigator, diver, rescue officer, teacher and a cook. My blog is KonTiki-Kari.
My name is Øyvin Lauten (64), I love sailing and I will be the skipper on Tupac Yupanqui on the first leg. I live in Stavern with my wife Inger. We have two daughters and two grandchildren. I have been tied to the sea ever since my uncle in Egersund presented me to professional fishing when I was nine years old. I've been everything from laboratory technician at the Geological Institute in Oslo to goat herdsman in Røldal and scaffolding constructor on oil rigs in the 70's. I've also done chimney construction, but I eventually became a carpenter and winded up as a teacher in the birthplace of Thor Heyerdahl: Larvik. The last seven years I've worked on the 3-masted steel bark Statsraad Lehmkuhl, as a carpenter and sailor. In 2006 I went to Peru to build the balsa raft Tangaroa and sail the Pacific in the wake of the Kon-Tiki. The Tangaroa Expedition was very successful and beautiful – it will be a great pleasure to sail a raft again!
I am Pål Børresen (52), half Norwegian and half Canadian, living in Oslo, Norway. I am married and have two daughters, 17 and 22 years old. I work in a maritime global company, DNV GL as a HR-manager with responsibility for leadership-development in Europe, Africa and Americas. I have been sailing since I was a little boy. My biggest dream since I was 18 was to sail around the world. I have a high passion for sailing and for adventures, and I am a devoted environmentalist. As one of the two officers on the raft Rahiti Tane I can contribute to make people cooperate in challenging environments and work together despite their different backgrounds and cultures. My main responsibility is life rafts and safety equipment. I look forward to be part of a historical journey in the spirit of my hero and inspiration: Thor Heyerdahl.
My name is Boris Romanov, from Moscow, Russia. I am the expedition doctor of Kon-Tiki2 from Peru to Easter Island. I will also have medical support from Radio Medico in case of severe injuries. I'm married and have grown-up son and daughter. I work in a private hospital - Endosurgery Center - based in Moscow, where my specialties are intensive therapy and anaesthesiology. I used to work in Chukotka, in tough and challenging northern conditions. In 2008 I took part in a ski marathon on Greenland – The Arctic Circle Race. I am also a swimmer and have participated in Swimtrek Competitions in open water. Thor Heyerdahl is still well known in Russia and among Russians he is a highly respected person. For me it's a big honor to take part in this unprecedented event! With all my eagerness I'll try my best and give all my experience and skills to take care of the health of the crew. I hope and believe the expedition will be safe and sound, so my medical expertice won't be needed.
I am Håkon Wium Lie (50), CTO of Opera Software, and CTO of the expedition. I've been fascinated by communication technologies all my life. The rafts we will be sailing are primitive, yet effective, examples of communication technologies that linked civilizations together in the past. At Opera, we are really good at linking people together in the present – Opera Mini gives people web access from places where no other browser can go, and Opera Max optimizes internet access over narrow connections. On this expedition, I want to see if its is possible to be part of, even contribute to, digital communities over a satellite connection. In my childhood, I constructed rafts from driftwood (I'm on the right) and along with my father I built a dinghy. These days I have sailboat called 404.
My name is Jostein Alvær Heidenstrøm (19). I finished high school this spring and I live in Hurum, Norway. My greatest passion has been traveling and exploring. I am very familiar with the water element. I am a good swimmer and enjoy to be near, on or in water – like scuba diving, snorkeling, kayak, stand up paddleboarding, waterski, wakeboard and rowing. I have been on several outdoor journeys, but this will be my first real expedition experience and I fulfill my dream of being a real adventurer. On this journey, I will be in charge of social media updates and I'll take part in the most critical physically demanding tasks.
I am Gunvor Storaas (25) from Norheimsund, Hardanger, Norway. Being in boats, on the ocean is one of the best things. When I was 17 years old, I got a summer job on the old traditional sailing boat, S/J Mathilde, at Hardanger Maritime Center. For about 8 years I had my summer job onboard, sailing along the coast, learning about traditional boats, sailing, rope making, and rigging. At Fosen folkehøgskole I continued to learn about sailing, sailing in traditional wooden boats with square sails. I have also taken a bachelor degree in outdoor life at the University College of Telemark, Bø. For the last year I have been working at Fosen folkehøgskole as a teacher in sailing and outdoor life. I found that very interesting and challenging, learning people about sailing and staying outside over a longer period of time. I hope my knowledge on sailing will be useful and helpful on the raft.
I am Cecilie Mauritzen (54) from Oslo, Norway, where I live with my husband Joe and our youngest son. I am trained as a physical oceanographer, with a PhD from MIT and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Most of my career I have worked as a scientist, focusing on the ocean's role in climate. I have been Lead Author for IPCC's 4th and 5th Assessment Reports, this last time for the chapter on the oceans. I love being at sea, and can't wait to get out on Rahiti Tane! I will be the expedition's Chief Scientist and we will be making measurements of pollution and climate change in the ocean. We will work hard to make the research available and understandable real time. Since the expedition coincides with the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change in Paris, it is particularly important that we try to broadcast what we find concerning the degradation of the health of the stateless, multi-million dollar economy called the World Ocean. I blog on Kon-Tiki2 science (og på norsk).
My name is Esteban Contreras (38). I originate from Chile, but I've
lived most of my life in Norway. I started work as a carpenter and
have worked on many exciting projects, like restoring old historic
buildings. I am what one calls a handyman. Today I work as an
occupational therapist at the high security psychiatric hospital in
Bergen. Every day is different, and some days can be a challenge. I
started travelling when I was quite young. I was curious about
South-America and travelling there taught me about myself and the
culture I stem from. I have also travelled in India, where learned a
lot about culture, religion and what a struggle everyday life could
be. My spare time is spent managing a boxing/thaiboxing club in
Bergen.
I am David Short (30), from Mossley, North West England, a long way from
the sea.
I visited the Kon-Tiki Museum and the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo around ten
years ago and became completely fascinated. This new interest, coupled with
a lot of good fortune led me to sail with Havhingsten Fra Glendalough, my
first time at sea, and an extreme introduction!
I have sailed on modern yachts, catamarans, full-rigger Ostindiafararen
Götheborg and for the last three summers sailed with Draken Harald Hårfagre.
I hope to bring to the project modern and traditional rigging skills,
square sail experience, and a positive and friendly attitude.
I am interested to learn more about these type of rafts and how a group
interacts when isolated for weeks and weeks. I also intend to practice
Celestial Navigation along the way.
I feel incredibly lucky and honoured to be a part of this project, it would
have seemed an impossible dream ten years ago in Oslo.
