Polar Challenge

The Polar Challenge is a competitive, 350 nautical mile (650 kilometre) team race taking place in the Arctic, to the 1996 location of the Magnetic North Pole and beyond. The race runs between mid-April and mid-May each year, taking teams approximately 4 weeks to complete, including the training time. This event should not be confused with the Polar Race, which is a different event taking a different route, and run by a different organisation.

Background

Competitors race in teams of 3, many joining as individuals and forming teams when they meet other individuals during the training that leads up to the race. The competitors are from different walks of life (not necessarily explorers or people with mountaineering experience), sharing a quest for adventure and to achieve something that only a few others have done.The race takes place in one of the world's most extreme and hostile environments, with temperatures dropping as low as -50 °C, and where 80% of the world’s population of Polar Bears live. Competitors race on skis, pulling their supplies in 120 lb pulkas, stopping on route at 3 manned checkpoints to re-supply.

Race History

In 2003, Tony Martin and Chris McLeod captained the first and second place teams in the first ever Polar Race. On their return to England, they decided to set up and run an alternative challenge themselves, and formed [http://www.polar-challenge.com/ Polar Challenge Limited] . Since then, they have organised and run the Polar Challenge every year.In 2004 the race was filmed for a BBC documentary series called ‘The Challenge’ which aired on worldwide television. Paul “Seamus” Hogan, a sales manager from London, England, with no experience of the outdoors whatsoever, was asked to enter the Challenge for the program. His team, Team Fujitsu led by Chris McLeod went on to win the race. In 2007, at the same time as the Challenge, the BBC's "Top Gear" programme presenters became the first people to drive to the north pole in the Hilux Arctic Challenge. It was later broadcast as the "".

Route map

The Polar Challenge route covers 320 nautical miles (see route map). Competitors begin by participating in a 4 day, convert|65|mi|km|0|sing=on training expedition in which they set off from Resolute, Nunavut in northern Canada to Polaris Mine on Little Cornwallis Island, the Polar Challenge starting point.The race itself is from Polaris Mine to Isachsen on Ellef Ringnes Island through 3 checkpoints. The first two checkpoints are re-supply points where competitors rest for 12-24 hours and take on new food and fuel supplies, and the third is the 1996 position of the Magnetic North Pole. The finish line is a further 25 miles beyond the third checkpoint, near a disused airstrip where planes are able to land.
*Preliminary Stage: From Resolute to Polaris Mine area, just North of Cornwallis Island – Distance: convert|65|nmi|km|0
*Stage 1: From Polaris Mine area to a way point, just North West of Bathurst Island (Checkpoint 1 - 76°37’N 101°50’W) – Distance: convert|110|nmi|km|-1
*Stage 2: Bathurst Island to a waypoint near King Christian Island (Checkpoint 2 - 77°46’N 101°45’W) – Distance: convert|95|nmi|km|0
*Stage 3: King Christian Island to 1996 Magnetic North Pole position (Checkpoint 3 - 78°35.7'N 104°11.9’W) – Distance: convert|63|nmi|km|0
*Stage 4: 1996 Magnetic North Pole position to Isachsen (Finish - 78°47’N 103°30’W) – Distance: convert|16|nmi|km|0

Previous Polar Challenges

* [http://www.fujitsu.com/uk/casestudies/fs_polar.html The Fujitsu Polar Challenge] – in 2004, was won by Team Fujitsu.
*The Scott Dunn Polar Challenge – in 2005, was won by Team Hardware.
* [http://www.polar-challenge.com/liveracearea06.asp The Sony Polar Challenge] – in 2006, was won by Team ATP.
* [http://www.polar-challenge.com/liveracearea07.asp The 2007 Polar Challenge] – in 2007, was won by Team Bearing 360 North.
* [http://www.polar-challenge.com/liveracearea08.asp The Polar Challenge 2008] – in 2008, was won by Polar Warriors/Cold Beef.

2007 Polar Challenge Teams

The 2007 challenge took place in April/May 2007 and saw the following teams compete:
* [http://www.arcticvirgins.co.uk/who.html Arctic Virgins] : Kirsty Bamber, Laura Jones, Alex Zawadzki. They are also known as the Polar ASBO's
* [http://www.bearing360north.com/ Bearing 360 North] : Christopher Mike, James Cheshire, Jonny Black
*Girls on Top: Rachael Helanor, Tina Outlaw
*Artemis: [http://www.collegiate.co.uk/microsite/default.asp?ID=2 Mark Bates] , [http://www.polarchallenge07.com/ Ian Hunter] , Jean Walker
*Polarity: Thom Fortunato, [http://www.on-finn-ice.co.uk/ Gabrielle Finn] , Gary Marshall
* [http://www.teamspirit2007.co.uk/ Team Spirit] : Adam Komrower, Malcolm Rich
* [http://www.team-star.co.uk/ Team Star] : Steve Jones, Nick Bevan, Richard Yorke
*The Polar Bears: Martin Palethorpe, Miles Welch, Stuart Lotherington

In 2007 but not part of the main event; the route was filmed by a BBC Television crew for "Top Gear: Polar Special", undertaking the same journey with modified Toyota cars and a dog sled.

Polar Challenge 2008 Teams

The [http://www.polar-challenge.com/ Polar Challenge 2008] took place in April/May 2008 and saw the following teams compete:

*Polar Warriors/Cold Beef: Paul Moxham, Jamie Wood, Angus King
*Team Gamania Foundation: Jason Chen, Kevin Lin, Albert Liu
*Lost Penguins: Mike Woolliscroft, Connie Potter, Richard Wall-Morris
*Best Served Chilled: Steve Napier, Barney Franklin, Giles Greenslade
*The Silver Foxes: Jim Vale, Graham Walters
*Polar Flame: Leslie Dang Ngoc, Thomas Carrier, Da Liang
*Cold Front: Mark Priest, Mark Jurgens, Sam Long
*British Sea Power: Gareth Ellis, Yoyo Schepers, Alistair Leiper
*The Holiday Club: Paul Craig, Oliver Corbett, Ross Maxwell

External links

* [http://www.polar-challenge.com/ The Polar Challenge Website]
* [http://www.teamspirit2007.co.uk/ Team Spirit Website]
* [http://www.bearing360north.com/ Team Bearing 360 North Website]
* [http://www.amundsenomega3southpolerace.com/ Amundsen Omega 3 South Pole Race]