A British Army officer battled exhaustion and temperatures as low as -30°C to shatter the record for the longest solo, unsupported, unassisted expedition in Antarctica.
Preet Chandi aka “Polar Preet”, 33, covered 922 miles in 70 days and 16 hours in temperatures as low as sub-zero temperatures for the longest solo and unsupported polar ski expedition in history.
She was previously the first woman of colour to complete a solo expedition across Antarctica and reach the South Pole in 2021.
The previous world record of 907 miles (1,459km) was set in 2015 by fellow soldier Henry Worsley, a retired lieutenant colonel, who later died after collapsing from exhaustion towards the end of the trek.
Capt Chandi, from Derby, faced severe adverse conditions which prevented her from reaching her target of going coast to coast, but kept going as far as she could – stopping around 100 miles (160km) short of her target.
She said: “Mentally, it was tough knowing I didn’t have enough time to make the crossing, but the expedition was about pushing my boundaries and inspiring others to do the same, so how could I not continue?
“I’m disappointed I ran out of time to make the crossing of Antarctica, but I did everything I could. I didn’t take a day off and pushed as hard as possible every day.
“I’m proud that I kept going when it was tough and I thought I couldn’t do any more.”
Capt Chandi skied for between 13 and 15 hours per day with as little as five hours’ sleep at times.
During the trek she pulled all her kit and supplies on a sledge (pulk), weighing around 19 stone (120kg), while battling temperatures as low as minus 30°C and wind speeds of up to 60mph.
Capt Chandi completed the challenge while on a period of leave from her Army role, having joined the Army Reserves at the age of 19 and the regular Army at 27.
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She is now based in Buckinghamshire, working as a physiotherapist at a regional rehabilitation unit, helping injured soldiers with training and rehabilitation.
A GoFundMe page has raised more than £11,000, half of which will go to an “adventure grant” for women carrying out “unique challenges”, while the other half will go towards Capt Chandi’s next expedition.
Steve Jones, expedition manager for Antarctic Logistics Expeditions (Ale), said: “Preet’s aim of skiing more than 1,700km across Antarctica alone and without resupply is one of the most physically demanding challenges on Earth.
“Although she ran out of time after almost 71 hard days and did not complete the last leg of the planned route down the Reedy Glacier to the Ross Ice Shelf, she has skied further unsupported and alone than anyone in history.
“Her indomitable courage and determination are quite remarkable – she has pushed the boundaries of human endeavour.”
Lieutenant General Sharon Nesmith said: “The British Army is immensely proud of Capt Chandi.
“To achieve what she has in the face of extremely arduous conditions and battle on bravely, refusing to give up, and to be the best she can possibly be is a huge inspiration to so many around the world.”
