Scott Dunn Polar Challenge 2005 Teams En Route to Canadian Frozen North



April 15, 2005 -- Tuesday 12th April 2005, Heathrow Terminal 3: Facing a final week of ski, navigation and arctic training, Scott Dunn Polar Challenge competitors from 16 teams met at London Heathrow Airport this afternoon to board their flight for Ottawa, with onward connection to Resolute Bay - the northernmost inhabited community on earth. Although they have already been training extensively, for the next week the teams will be thoroughly put through their paces in the Arctic by event organizers Venture Challenge Group, learning the additional skills necessary to survive - and race - through the northern wilderness.

After a few days of rest the 46 competitors from all walks of life will then set out for the race startline (in itself a trek of 65 miles from Resolute) where, weather permitting, on April 22nd they will begin the 320 mile competition to the Magnetic North Pole.

Photo: 'Scott Dunn Polar Challenge teams depart Heathrow' http://www.polar-challenge.com/press/pc05/images.asp

The Scott Dunn Polar Challenge is best described as an 'expedition challenge on skis', where the competitors will need to function as efficient teams of up to three persons, drawing upon their own fitness and expedition training as temperatures will regularly drop to -50 degrees C.

Navigation will be via charts and GPS, with competitors dragging 'pulks' (sledges) containing more than their own body weight in rations, specialist equipment and supplies per individual, making camp each night on the ice pack - as they cross an area known to be inhabited by 80% of the world's population of polar bears, a potentially serious meeting as the species has no natural enemies and a sense of smell which can identify a seal at 40 kms

Teams are free to choose when, where and for how long they rest every day - but it is very much a race, and time necessarily spent recovering, eating and sleeping has to be balanced against the knowledge that the competition may be pressing on. One problem the teams will not have is lack of light. The sun shines 24 hours a day this time of year in the North.

Andrew Dunn, Managing Director of Scott Dunn Holidays: "We are delighted to be involved in this extraordinary expedition challenge. The spirit of competition has certainly motivated Polar exploration for well over a century. These fiercely fit and determined individuals are both an inspiration in the sporting sense as well as for the charitable funds which are being raised through their efforts."

Scott Dunn Holidays, in addition to lending their support for this year's event, will be rewarding the winning team (and partners) with a different kind of 'experience of a lifetime' - but an entirely appropriate prize for their efforts - a sunny and relaxing 10 night luxury safari and beach holiday in Kenya in conjunction with CC Africa and British Airways.

Photo 2005 Clive Calcutt / Project 100 / Scott Dunn - images free for news use.

Scott Dunn - 'Holidays Without Compromise' - one of the UK's leading private tour operators and supplier of luxury holiday experiences

For additional information on Scott Dunn and the Scott Dunn Polar Challenge - and all 16 teams,

please see www.scottdunn.com and www.polar-challenge.com

and contact: Jon Gross or Stuart Radnofsky at Project 100 Communications Ltd

tel +44 (0)1727 836238 / 844616; fax +44 (0)1727 869142
mobile +44 (0)7711 933663 (Jon) or +44 (0)7860 612367 (Stuart)





Scott Dunn Polar Challenge 2005 Teams En Route to Canadian Frozen North