TOPtoTOP, a committed expedition powered by Nanni

For over 25 years, the TOPtoTOP expedition has been sailing the oceans to raise awareness among younger generations about protecting the planet. Aboard the Pachamama sailboat, Dario and his family connect continents, cultures and schools around the world, with Nanni.

A mission that has become an integral part of their lives

Launched in 1999, the TOPtoTOP expedition initially set out to achieve a new world record through an extraordinary challenge: to sail across the Seven Seas to reach the Seven Summits, the highest peak on each continent using only sailing, cycling and climbing to connect the world’s different climates.

Over the years and through stopovers, this adventure has become much more than a project: it has evolved into a true educational and environmental mission.

In 25 years, Dario and his family have visited more than 100 countries and met more than 200,000 students. From large cities to the most isolated territories, they share an optimistic and committed vision.

“Sharing your experience with children means investing in the future.” 

Rather than causing alarm, this family chooses to inspire. In a school in Greenland, pupils talk about melting ice. In Polynesia, others discuss rising sea levels. When brought together, these testimonies create a global understanding and encourage collective reflection.

TOPtoTOP does not impose a narrative, but opens up dialogue.

Pachamama: a sailing boat serving the planet

The boat bears a symbolic name: Pachamama, which means ‘Mother Earth’ in the tradition of the Inca peoples. A philosophy that fully reflects the expedition’s commitment. 

Designed to handle extreme conditions, Pachamama is a true expedition vessel. It can operate autonomously over long periods and sail in a variety of climates. It also serves as a support for scientific missions, particularly for microplastic sampling and environmental DNA analysis. Finally, at each port of call, it becomes a mobile educational platform for the schools it visits.

It is thanks to the robustness and reliability of the on-board equipment that the family can guarantee the continuity of missions, often in remote areas.

 

Why choose Nanni?

Originally, Pachamama was equipped with a Nanni 5.280 HE based on a Kubota engine. This engine accumulated 8,000 hours of operation and enabled TOPtoTOP to cover 135,000 nautical miles over 25 years.

Nanni was the natural choice thanks to its mechanical robustness, simple design, and the ability to provide support through an international distribution network. Independence from complex electronic systems also ensures that maintenance can be carried out even in isolated regions with limited technical resources. For Dario and his family, Nanni has always been the right partner, not only focused on improving engine performance, but also committed to environmental responsibility.

Since October, Pachamama has been re-engined with a Nanni N4.80, thanks to the technical expertise of NOGVA, the official Nanni distributor for Norway. The Nogva team provided hands-on support, carefully overseeing the installation and optimisation of the engine to ensure maximum performance, reliability, and durability for the next stages of the expedition. For more details: https://nannienergy.com/product/engine-n4-80/

   

Picture by TOPtoTOP

Navigating in remote areas therefore requires an engine that can be maintained without relying on specialised tools or advanced electronic diagnostics. This mechanical simplicity is a major advantage in extreme environments.

The next challenges

The expedition continues with ambitious new goals:

• Connect the Arctic to the Antarctic within the next two years.
• Attempt to climb the highest peak in Antarctica on their world-record-expedition to connect all climates.
• Meet nearly 150,000 new students.
• Participate once again in international events such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
• Following the success of the documentary “Home is the Ocean”, their new vision is a film project highlighting the sailing, climbing, and cycling chapters of the adventure. It will also include exclusive footage from their new circumnavigation, which began in May 2026, with the aim of continuing to raise awareness and bring communities together to build a more sustainable future for our planet. 

In this new phase, Nanni fully shares the values upheld by the expedition: commitment, knowledge sharing, and long-term vision. By accompanying TOPtoTOP in its future challenges, Nanni confirms its support for projects that combine maritime performance and positive impact.

This collaboration is part of a shared desire to take concrete action for more responsible and sustainable navigation.

Sailing to share knowledge

Beyond performance and mileage, TOPtoTOP embodies a strong conviction: environmental transition is built through education and concrete action.

Alongside Nanni, the expedition demonstrates that reliable and sustainable motorisation is an essential lever in enabling committed projects to achieve their ambitions.