Blue Peter Presenter Becomes First to Cycle to South Pole
January 23rd, 2012
Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton has become the first person to cycle to the South Pole.
The extreme sports enthusiast completed the grueling 500mile journey in 18 days using a combination of the specially designed bicycle, kite skiing and cross-country skiing.
Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton has become the first person to cycle to the South Pole.
The extreme sports enthusiast completed the grueling 500mile journey in 18 days using a combination of the specially designed bicycle, kite skiing and cross-country skiing.
Skelton used the event to raise money for Sport Relief.
Speaking to the Metro she said: “I’m just relieved it’s gone well.
“It’s only now looking back on it that it’s really beginning to sink in what I’ve done and how big an achievement it is.”
The presenter faced long 14hr days pulling an 82kg sledge in uncompromising weather conditions.
“There would be different pain every day from the cycling, skiing and kite skiing,” she said.
“Also when you kite ski there was burning on your face from the wind and your hands freeze as well.
“When I think of the people I meet through Sport Relief and the challenges they face every day of their life I can’t really complain.”
Skelton also broke the kite ski record covering 100km in 7 hours 28 minutes.
Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes commented on the achivement: “I take my hat off to Helen Skelton. Her incredible efforts are a great example of willpower.”
Image from http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/