ALMOST a century after Norwegian explorers first reached the South Pole, the first Cypriot is preparing to cross Antarctica on skis.
Unlike Amundsen’s team, however, this team is all female, and comprised of nationals of eight Commonwealth countries, including Cyprus.
Stephanie Solomonides, 26, from Nicosia was selected from eighty applicants to take part in the expedition, and will be the first Cypriot to ski to the Antarctic.
“The expedition is about promoting the modern commonwealth woman, especially in countries where women are second class citizens. It also aims to raise awareness of climate change. Few people realise that the climate of the Mediterranean is intricately linked to the polar icecaps.” Solomonides said yesterday. “It is amazing to be a part of something that has so much potential to inspire others.”
The team members from Brunei, Cyprus, Ghana and Jamaica will be the first person from their nation to ski to the South Pole. Those from India, Singapore and New Zealand will be the first women from their country to do so.
Solomonides will leave for London today, arriving in Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in the world, on November 5. They will then spend a week acclimatising to in Patriot Hills before setting off for the pole on foot.
“We hope to complete the expedition to the pole in 40-45 days, arriving on New Year’s Day.” The team will be unassisted (though they will be carrying a satellite phone in case of an emergency. They will carry all of their own food and equipment.
“At the starts our sledges will weigh 80kg, half of which is food.”
Asked about the diet, Solomonides said “It’s not pleasant, and mostly dehydrated. We are taking a lot of carbohydrates like porridge, pasta and noodles.”
Asked about how the team has prepared for the arduous journey, and 30-below temperatures, Solomonides said “We have been on two training expeditions, first to New Zealand and then to Norway, where we faced minus 20 degree blizzards.”
The project very nearly did not go ahead for the Cypriot, for whom funding in the current economic climate has been a real challenge. Solomonides did not reveal the exact cost, but told the Cyprus Mail “It is nearly into six figures in US dollars.” In the end the total was made up by a series of donors, including the anti-malware IT company Kaspersky, Cyta, Medcon construction and the Bank of Cyprus. Additional funding also came from the Winston Churchill trust, Foreign and Commonwealth office and the Cyprus chapter of the Federation of Business and Professional Women.
“We received €5,000 from the Ministry of Justice, under the ministry’s National Machinery for Women’s Rights programme. In addition, this would not been possible without the personal donations and contributions of family, friends, colleagues and the goodwill of the general public.” Solomonides added.
After the expedition, the eight team members will continue to promote Commonwealths goals of greater international understanding and exchange, and highlighting the achievements of women across the world, through educational outreach programmes.
Sidebar for antarcticle
The Team’s packed agenda
November 2 2009: Press Conference in London
November 5: Teams fly to Punta Arenas in Chile, the world’s most southern city.
November 12: Team fly six hours south to Patriot Hills to acclimatise.
November 18 2009: Expedition begins
December 29 2009: Antarctica Live! The team broadcasts to the National Geographic Store in London
December 31 2009: Estimated date of arrival at the South Pole
January 11 2010: ‘Welcome Home’ event in London
To see pictures of the Team’s expedition, visit: https://kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.glasnost21.com and for more information, visit: www.kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.com
