Arctic & Antarctic High-Latitude Expedition Captain
Hi, I’m Daniil Gavrilov—Polar Captain and co-founder of RUSARC. Ten years ago, I helmed Peter I on the world’s first single-season, icebreaker-free circumnavigation of the North Pole, and I’ve never looked back. Since launching RUSARC, I’ve led over 100 high-latitude expeditions across both poles, mastering autonomous sailing in ice-choked seas and pioneering new routes in Franz Josef Land, Novaya Zemlya, Greenland, Antarctica and beyond.
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified & credentialed
Verified credentials that underpin every adventure.
ACHIEVEMENTS
The record behind the record
Director of the Russian Polar Sailing School, training future Arctic captains and explorers
Partner to research institutes and NGOs, coordinating voyages for wildlife surveys and climate research
Specialist in ice navigation, extreme-weather passage planning and on-board emergency protocols
15 + years and 150 + polar expeditions in the Arctic & Antarctic as expedition leader and Rusarc captain.
Set a world record on Peter I: first circumnavigation without icebreaker support in one summer.
Two-time “Yachtsman of the Year” (Best Long-Distance Expedition) awardee.
SAFETY
Safety is the protocol
Safety is non-negotiable on my expeditions. I trust in the inherent resilience of sail power—when the wind fills our canvas and ice closes in, a well-rigged yacht remains far more autonomous than any engine-powered craft, always able to chart a safe course home. Whether you dream of ice-fjord penguins or the Southern Lights, I’ll guide you safely into the planet’s last frontiers—where every nautical mile is a new story.
ADVENTURES
Daniil's adventures
Small-group experiences, hosted directly.
Ready to dive with Daniil?
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