1
Braam Malherbe and I have just returned from our …… how should I say ….. EPIC Centenary Race to the Pole and it was great taking the Rudy Project brand with me.
It was an expedition that had a life of it's own and was something that I personally had not quite expected. Having trained on a glacier in Iceland at -25C I thought that could not be that much difference between that and -45C. How wrong I was. Next time I will know! ha ha …. no more next time. The expedition was a great success and now we have become the first South Africans to have ever raced unsupported to the South Pole and two of a handful that have ever trekked to the Pole. My frostbitten cheeks have recovered, my fingers and toes are still a bit numb and I look like a skinny Whippet, but all is good and I managed not to lose any bits. I am (at the memento) permanently camped next to our fridge at home. Not because I miss being cold, which I don't, but because I am constantly ravenous. I just can't stop eating.
Braam and I had a humbling experience in Antarctica and we feel totally privileged to have been given this opportunity exactly 100 years after Scott and Amundsen's impromptu race. I have gained another brother and true friend in Braam. We endured incredible pain and hardship together and never once had any misgivings about each other. It was proper team work all the way.
We had the great fortune of being able to help the British Team, Centre Point, get to the Pole by carrying one of their team members equipment for 9 days. Andrew had broken his arm and was determined to continue and needed help. They in turn helped us by keeping us company. More about that in the 4 part television series and in the book Braam and I will write together.
At the end of the race, at the Pole, we minted 1010 silver collectors coins! A world first at that was at -48C. Hectic!! Those will become prized collectors items and would seriously be worth the investment.
Some race stats:
Antarctica is the highest driest and coldest continent on the planet!
Antarctica's plateau is bigger than the United States of America
The plateau averages at 3000m above sea level and the air density at that height is equivalent to 4700m here in S.A. (baie hoog)
7 teams took part in the race
3 teams officially finished the race - us being the third
Total distance of trek 888km's
Acclimatisation trek - 120km's
Race distance - 768km's
The Norweigian team won the race by 7 days - phenomenal effort
The Welsh team was second - one day ahead of us
I would like to thank Rudy Project International for their continued support and sponsorship. I have just had news that the 4 part 1hour television series of our race will be screened on SABC in late June.
Next…… Capricorn awaits!
