Commonwealth Expedition to set world records

WOMEN from Commonwealth countries are preparing for a groundbreaking trek across Antarctica which will see some become the first nationals from their countries to ski to the South Pole.
Led by seasoned Brit expeditioner Felicity Aston, 31, the team will ski 800 kilometres from the coast of Antarctica to arrive at the South Pole around New Year’s Day 2010, marking  the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth.
During the expedition the group can expect to experience the most hostile environment conditions in the world, with temperatures falling to -30C, wind speeds reaching over 80mph, dangerous crevasses and disorientating blizzards that can last for days.
The Commonwealth Women’s Antarctic Expedition Team members, selected from over 800 worldwide applicants, have a variety of backgrounds and experience ranging from years of mountaineering to zero experience of skiing.
For some team members the initial training session this month on Norway’s Hardangervidda, Europe’s largest mountain plateau, was their first experience of snow.
Cypriot representative Stephanie Solomonides, 25, said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic and very proud to be involved in this expedition. It’s a unique adventure – nothing like this has ever been done before.”
The women 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.