New Delhi: A British-Sikh woman and officer of the British Army, Preet Chandi, has reportedly become the fastest woman to successfully complete a solo ski expedition to the South Pole. Believed to have covered a distance of 1,130 km in just 31 days, 13 hours, and 19 minutes, Preet, also known as Polar Preet, is awaiting official verification of her impressive feat by the Guinness World Records team.
Preet, who broke two Guinness World Records in January 2023 for the longest solo unsupported one-way polar ski journey for a woman and the longest solo unsupported one-way polar ski journey overall, has been making waves in the adventure world. In 2022, she became the first woman of color to undertake a solo expedition in Antarctica.
Her journey to the South Pole adds to an already impressive list of accomplishments. Preet joined the Army Reserves at 19 and was commissioned in the Army in 2012 after completing her studies in Physiotherapy at university. She has participated in numerous large-scale exercises and deployments in countries such as Nepal, Kenya, and most recently, a six-month UN peacekeeping tour in South Sudan.
During her time in South Sudan, Preet organized a 30-hour endurance event to raise money for charity, completing the full duration herself. Her interest in hiking grew, leading her to take part in climbing exercises in several countries, including Morocco, Kenya, Mexico, the Alps, Peru, Bolivia, Iceland, and Nepal. She also underwent training expeditions in Greenland and Norway, which ultimately helped her conquer Antarctica.
On her recent South Pole expedition, Preet endured grueling conditions, skiing for 12 to 13 hours each day while pulling a 75kg sledge containing all her necessary supplies for survival. Reflecting on her achievement, she emphasized the importance of respecting Antarctica, stating that conquering it is not the goal but rather treating it with the utmost respect.
Preet’s incredible journey serves as an inspiration and testament to the strength and determination of women in adventure sports. With her record-breaking accomplishments, she has carved a niche for herself in the history books, proving that no challenge is too great to overcome.
As Preet’s record awaits official verification, the world eagerly awaits confirmation of her extraordinary achievement. Her story is a reflection of the power of the human spirit and the indomitable will to push beyond boundaries, making her a true trailblazer for adventurers and athletes around the globe.
