Argentine sailor Yago Lange has made history by becoming the first person in history to foil in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Located within the Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina, part of the Patagonia region, the Perito Moreno Glacier covers an area of 250 square kilometres (97 square miles) and is continuing to grow.
Yago Lange, a 49er sailor at the 2016 Olympic Games with his brother Klaus and member of World Sailing’s Sustainability Commission, set out to fulfill his dream of foiling in the icy waters of Lake Argentino with the aim of carrying a message of awareness about the conservation of glaciers and the value of water.
For two days, Yago and his travel companion and photographer, Marko Magister, toured Los Glaciares National Park with the aim of amplifying his message.
He said, “My desire as an athlete is to take care of the place that I love so much and that gives me so much and to share the message that it is not just for me, but it is for everyone. Those of us who love the water must protect it.”
Every two to four years, the large arch of blue and white ice thunderously collapses into the glacial Lake Argentino below – known as a rupture. The last such event was in March 2018, although there was a small rupture at the end of 2019. The first rupture of the 21st century occurred in 2004, then 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2016. The glacier advances along the river as pressure builds, resulting in a spectacular collapse.
While it is true the glacier is continuing to grow, the time between ruptures is becoming shorter. A clear sign that the climate is changing.
Yago plans to travel to more protected areas throughout the year to understand the impact climate change is having on the environment and share his experience with the world. He is working with Parley Argentina, part of the Parley Global Clean-up Network, which works to protect marine environments around the world, and in collaboration with National Park authorities to promote the importance of caring for the planet’s natural water supplies and glaciers at an international level.