Fine Tuning

Race director Charlie Paton will be heading off to Greenland to complete a full traverse of the race route (West to East) next month. This will be the final recognisance for the race and a great opportunity to finalise with locals face to face with regards to pre and post race accommodation, freight arrivals, fuel storage, permits, emergency services etc. So we wish him a successful and enjoyable crossing.

As this race is in its first year it is constantly evolving and therefore there are elements that will change along the way either through the requests of authorities or even feedback from you the racers. One change that has been made in the past week is removing the 12 hour compulsory stop at both checkpoint 1 and 2. You will still have to get stamped through each check point (a little like orienteering, removing any need for contact from the race staff with those competitors choosing to race unsupported) but it is up to you whether you choose to continue straight on or rest at the camp for a short while or even all night. Obviously those racing supported will need to pick up their re-supply of food and fuel and will be able to see the doctor and or steal a bit of warmth from the race base camp if they so choose. We made this decision because we felt it was unnecessary to restrict those competitive few looking to race hard and fast. We have therefore made it optional for people to stop at the camp and for the period of time they stop for, as it has no benefit to safety,  support is on hand at all times through the race if needed anyway.

The second change, is due to such a large proportion of you enquiring to race solo and unsupported…this seems to be a real draw to the race due to such strict laws normally with regards to solo racers. Because of this we have decided to allow competitors to follow a set route through the crevasse field, as apposed to everyone following a guide through this section and start racing once on the plateau(race rules will state just how paramount it is that you must follow the makers and GPS waypoints). This should help tie up some of the grey areas with regards to ‘unsupported’ for sponsors etc.

We have extended the deadline for registration forms and deposits to the end of August. This is due to requests by quite a few of you who are still waiting to here back over the next few weeks from initial sponsorship meetings. But just so you are aware the last sea freight for Greenland leaves early September and we must have the correct quantity of fuel on board as it is our only means of getting it to Greenland. So for this reason it is critical we know final numbers by the end of August.

An International Affair

It was great to meet those of you that were able to attend the open day last Saturday, hope you had a fun and interesting day. A big thank you to both Dr Ed Coats, team member in the South Pole Race alongside James Cracknell and Ben Fogle, and expeditionist Jon Bradshaw, who both spoke about their polar experiences. They were both brilliantly inspiring and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

We are thrilled with the response to the race so far, as we already have 30 potential competitors and have only just started our marketing campaign. We are able to take up to 50 competitors this first year of racing, so enquire for your race info pack sooner rather than later! We have had racers interested from New Zealand, Malaysia, Brazil, Canada, Sweden, and the UK to date, so should be a real international affair.

Hope to here from you soon!

5th June – Free Race Preview Day

If the Greenland Icecap Challenge has grabbed your attention, but your unsure if you are capable, don’t know how to raise the funds, you want to know exactly what is involved and included, then please come along to our free event preview day, designed to answer any questions you may have.

Even for those you who have already decided that this is a once in a life time opportunity not to be missed, our event preview will provide you with a wealth of crucial information as well as an opportunity to meet your fellow racers.

The event preview will take place on the 5th of June at the Marriott Royal Hotel in Bristol. We will start at 9.30am and cover all of the below and more, and will have plenty of time for Q&A as we go.

• Greenland – General information about the icecap, weather patterns and landscape features, full race details, route, solo and team classes, supported and unsupported class options.

• Timeline – The commitment involved over the following 12 months.

• Training Schedules – Fitness levels, UK training weekends, compulsory training week in Norway.

• Equipment – A full equipment demonstration, expedition food, kit lists and clothing explanations.

• Race Routines – Recommended tent and travel routines including how to pace yourself.

• Navigation Training – Navigating using GPS as well as compass back up.

• Safety and Rescue Procedures – The dangers; crevasses, Polar Bears and the cold temperatures will all be discussed (detailed protocol will be taught in the compulsory training sessions once entered).

• Race Fees – What’s included, payment schedule options, sponsorship and charity fundraising tips.

During the day tea, coffee, and cakes will be served, as well as a hot buffet lunch. We will finish the session by 4.30pm hopefully with your mind made up that the race IS for you.

In the evening we are offering an un-missable opportunity to meet back in the bar at 7.30pm for a truly inspirational evening from a selection of record breaking polar explorers!

After a short address from the race organiser Charlie Paton, a veteran Polar Guide who has spent an enormous amount of time on the Arctic Ocean/ Polar regions, Alan Chambers, Ann Daniels and Ed Coates will hope to entertain and inspire you with their tales of polar travel.

Alan Chambers MBE – Leader of the first British team to walk unsupported from Canada to the Geographic North Pole.

Ann Daniels – The first woman in history, along with expedition team mate Caroline Hamilton, to reach the North and South Poles as part of all women teams.

Ed Coates – Team member, along with James Cracknell and Ben Fogle, who raced to the South Pole last year as part of the BBC documentary On Thin Ice.

There will then be the opportunity to ask any further questions and have a chat with Charlie, Alan, Ann and Ed, as well as some of your potential competitors over a pint or two.

We can’t wait to meet you and share with you our fascination and wonderment for the Arctic.

Please email us with your full name to reserve a place for the event preview day on the 5th of June info@greenlandicecapchallenge.com (It is important you reserve a place so we can make sure we have allocated the correct numbers for lunch.)