Renowned British explorer Polar Preet has just announced her next challenging expedition – to become the first woman to complete a solo, unsupported crossing of Antarctica!
Team Forces is thrilled to be supporting Preet once again on her record-breaking attempt and has already marshalled a growing group of generous sponsors who want to help her achieve her dream: Amey, Atkins, Be Military Fit, BMC, boxxe, Costain, Dell Technologies, Fujitsu, Improbable, Kromek, Microsoft, Punjab Covent Garden, Qioptiq, Sopra Steria, SSCL and Ultra.
Maj Gen Lamont Kirkland CBE, CEO Team Forces said: ‘The world needs more adventurous women. So I am delighted that Preet has become a role model for young people from diverse and ethnic backgrounds who need to see a world with challenges rather than barriers. Her belief that “nothing is impossible” gives her the courage to pursue an idea, believe in yourself and aim to achieve anything you want.’
This winter Preet will be starting her journey at Hercules inlet on the inner coast of the Ronne Ice Shelf – the location where she started on her recent successful South Pole expedition. However, this time she will not be stopping at the South Pole, she will be heading on the second part of her journey to the inner coast of The Ross Ice Shelf via The Reedy Glacier.
Captain Preet Chandi MBE, Polar Preet commented: ‘I’m so grateful to have so many incredible sponsors on board. Even though I’m physically alone on the ice, I know I have so many supporters with me each step of the way. This expedition would not be possible without my sponsors.’
Preet will be pulling her pulk (sled) with all her kit and equipment for a duration of around 75 days for over 1,000 miles and will face temperatures as low as -50°c and wind speeds of up to 60mph. She will be using muscle power alone to pull the pulk which will have a starting weight of about 120kg.
Completing this journey will be a World Record.
Other world record attempts include Louis Rudd and Colin O’Brady who completed a solo and unsupported (without resupplies) crossing of Antarctica in 2018 and Felicity Aston who completed a solo supported (with resupplies) crossing in 2012.
About Polar Preet
In January 2022, British Army Medical Officer Preet Chandi, or ‘Polar Preet,’ became the first woman of colour to ski solo to the South Pole. The 33-year-old captain in the UK’s Royal Army Medical Corps took 40 days to complete the 700-mile trek to the pole, skiing while pulling her tent, fuel, sleeping bag and freeze-dried rations in a pulk.
Preet joined the Territorial Army in 2007 and became a Regular army officer seven years later, she has served in Nepal, Kenya and South Sudan. In 2019, prior to her South Pole expedition, Preet completed the Marathon des Sables, a 156-mile (251 km) ultramarathon across the Sahara. Preet was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 Birthday Honours.
SUPPORTERS
“This is a solo expedition but I’m not doing this on my own, there are so many people supporting me.”
Captain Preet Chandi MBE
