The challenge is to sail from Europe to Pacific in 2001, with a minimum crew, in less than one year, following the route open in 1878-1879 by the Finnish born baron Adolf E. Nordenskjöld aboard the Swedish vessel Vega.

The purpose of this expedition is to demonstrate that with modern equipment, ice expert's guidance and recent communication technologies a sloop can sail the same route as the one usually followed by ice-breakers.