Adventurous Cypriot women heading off for Antarctic training.Byline: Claudia Konyalian ON THEIR way to two-weeks' training in Norway's snow-covered Hardangervidda this Saturday, where the weather is "harsh" and temperatures as low as -25C, are Athina Rokopou and Stephanie Solomonides, as they participate in the next stage of the Commonwealth Women's Antarctic Expedition. "I'm very excited to be having this opportunity to be with such professional people who know so much about these 'cool' weather conditions," said Athina. Bubbling over, Stephanie said, "I'm really, really, really, really excited. I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what to expect, but I feel ready to go, and do what I need to do when I get there, and enjoy the process." Last summer and autumn over 800 women from the eight participating countries applied to join the expedition, and two women from each country were shortlisted. The two Cypriots will be joining 14 other women from Brunei Darussalam, Ghana, India, Jamaica, New Zealand New Zealand (zē`lənd), island country (2005 est. pop. 4,035,000), 104,454 sq mi (270,534 sq km), in the S Pacific Ocean, over 1,000 mi (1,600 km) SE of Australia. The capital is Wellington; the largest city and leading port is Auckland. , Singapore and the United Kingdom for the two weeks' training. Then the final eight -- one from each country pair -- will be chosen to go through to the final expedition, led by Felicity Aston of the UK. The final eight women will have specialised training for around three months, before they spend 40 days skiing 800km across Antarctica to the Geographic South geographic south The direction from any point on Earth toward the South Pole. Compare magnetic south. Pole during November and December, braving the harshest of conditions and temperatures as low as -30C, to reach their destination in time for New Year's Day New Year's Day, among ancient peoples the first day of the year frequently corresponded to the vernal or autumnal equinox, or to the summer or winter solstice. In the Middle Ages it was celebrated among Christians usually on Mar. 25. . Athina, 28, a Telecommunications Technology Consultant from Athienou and Stephanie, 25, an IT Implementation Officer from Nicosia did not know each other before applying, but since being selected, have become a tight team. The two women have had to work hard together to raise the funds for their participation in the expedition, and to prepare for the trip, and both have enjoyed the complete support of their families every step of the way. With nothing but positive team spirit between them, and proud to be representing their country in this event, each will be equally happy for the other, irrespective of irrespective of prep. Without consideration of; regardless of. irrespective of preposition despite who makes it to the final eight. "It's a pity that only one of us can be selected in the end because one could not have reached Norway without the other," said Stephanie. "We have been cooperating with each other every step of the way," said Athina. "We are a team, and this will continue no matter what happens." Athina and Stephanie have been keeping fit, with hiking hiking Walking, often among hills or mountains, as recreational sport. It represents an activity in its own right and also figures in backpacking, camping, hunting, mountaineering, and orienteering. and swimming among their favourite activities, but more specialised training will come later, once they are in Norway. While both women would be thrilled to go on to the final expedition, they both spoke of the journey itself having been so important to them, and such a positive learning experience. "For sure from the first day since I found out I was selected, it's been a great experience every day," said Athina. Taking each stage of the process in their stride, both women feel it is just too early to know what is ahead. Stephanie said, "I want to just go to Norway and have the experience. I'm prepared to focus on the immediate future." On what she was looking forward to most and least, Stephanie said she is particularly excited about meeting all the other women, but not as thrilled about the "dehydrated food dehydrated food: see food preservation. " they would be eating. And whether she goes on to the Antarctic in November or not, Athina has the bug to go for an "extreme trip" of some kind after all she has learned through this experience. And to anyone out there who has that 'itchy feeling' to break out of the mould mould, n See mold. mould mold. , Athina says, "Go for it!" And as Stephanie says, "Life is too short for maybes." Athina and Stephanie would like to thank their sponsors, without whose generosity their participation in this expedition would not have been possible: Comtrack Services Ltd., Cyprus Airways Cyprus Airways (Greek: Κυπριακές Αερογραμμές, Kipriakes Aerogrammes) is the national airline of Cyprus, based in Nicosia. , the Electricity Authority of Cyprus The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) currently holds a monopoly on electricity generation in Cyprus although the market is open to other companies. It operates through three power stations:
Copyright Cyprus Mail Cyprus Mail is a Cypriot English-language newspaper. It is published daily (except Mondays) and a number of articles are available online. Its current chief editor is Kosta Pavlowitch. The managing director is Kyriakos Iacovides. 2009 Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
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