Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to hear the lovely Ben Fogle and James Cracknell chat about their experiences in rowing across the Atlantic, to a packed and very appreciative audience. Some of you may remember the amazing footage shown in a documentary about their adventures - what a feat! Well, now the boys have their sights set firmly on winning a race to the South Pole. Their exploits in Antarctica will made into a TV programme and it's hoped that schools will get involved in the project.
Set to take place in November 2008, the TV presenter and former Olympic Rower are looking for a third member to join their team - where's the back of the queue!? The pair will attempt the gruelling race to the pole, the first since Amundsen and Scott's tragic and epic struggle, in temperatures of minus 50C, covering more than 370 nautical miles from the continent's edge to the Pole.
Once Fogle and Cracknell have found their compulsory third team member, they will undergo rigorous polar training in Antarctica before they are allowed to cross the starting line. The race is expected to last anything from 30 to 45 days, with each man pulling a 70kg sled full of supplies. Fogle, Cracknell and their third team member will most likely lose up to four stone each; the human body can use as many as 15,000 calories a day keeping warm in these freezing conditions..... Best that they start on the mince pies and Christmas treats early then!
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