First Women to Ski across Antarctica Begin Two-Week Training Trip for Next Attempt to Make History: Bancroft Arnesen Explore Arctic Ocean.Sports Editors/News Editors/Lifestyle Editors MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 12, 2004 Ann Bancroft For the actress, see . Ann Bancroft (born 29 September 1955 in Mendota Heights, Minnesota) is a United States author, teacher, and adventurer. She was the first woman to successfully finish a number of arduous expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. and Liv Arnesen Liv Ragnheim Arnesen (born June 1, 1953 in Bærum, Norway) is a Norwegian cross-country skier, adventurer, guide, and motivational speaker. In 1994, she became the first woman to ski alone and unassisted to the South pole. The 1200km trek took fifty days. Will Test Gear, Practice Polar Bear polar bear, large white bear, Ursus maritimus, formerly Thalarctos maritimus, of the coasts of arctic North America. Polar bears usually live on drifting pack ice, but sometimes wander long distances inland. Defense and Experience Harsh Conditions of Arctic to Prepare for 2005 Ski and Ski-Sail Across Mostly Frozen Arctic Ocean World-class polar explorers and former schoolteachers Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen captivated cap·ti·vate tr.v. cap·ti·vat·ed, cap·ti·vat·ing, cap·ti·vates 1. To attract and hold by charm, beauty, or excellence. See Synonyms at charm. 2. Archaic To capture. millions of people worldwide as they fulfilled their childhood dream and became the first women to ski across Antarctica in February 2001. Today, the explorers begin a two-week intensive training trip to prepare for their next attempt at another historic first for women: an approximate 1,240-mile (1,996-km) ski and ski-sail crossing of the mostly frozen Arctic Ocean. Bancroft (48, Scandia scan·di·a n. See scandium oxide. [From scandium.] , Minn.) and Arnesen (50, Oslo, Norway) plan to traverse across the Arctic Ocean during the Arctic's "spring" season. They will begin the 100-day expedition in late February 2005 in Cape Arktichesky, Russia, cross over the geographic North Pole, and end at Ward Hunt Island, Canada in early June 2005. The explorers will endure temperatures that can dip to -50 degrees Fahrenheit (-46 degrees Celsius) and a threat of polar bear attacks. Shifting ocean ice, "leads" (open waterways) and pressure ridges also will present enormous obstacles. The explorers begin their training today in the fjords outside of Oslo. They will jump into frigid water to test their dry suits, which are necessary for swimming through leads. In the fjords, they'll also practice using kickboards to more easily get out of the freezing ocean water. Following their day in the fjords, Bancroft and Arnesen will travel to Borneo Base -- a temporary camp set up on drifting ice in the Arctic Ocean -- to train April 14-24. They will ski on the shifty shift·y adj. shift·i·er, shift·i·est 1. Having, displaying, or suggestive of deceitful character; evasive or untrustworthy. 2. Arctic ice; practice polar bear defense; and test various communications equipment, including new technology such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) A handheld computer for managing contacts, appointments and tasks. It typically includes a name and address database, calendar, to-do list and note taker, which are the functions in a personal information manager (see PIM). for transmitting photos to their Web site, www.yourexpedition.com. "Safety is always a number one priority for Ann and me," said Arnesen. "The ice conditions have dramatically changed since Ann last visited the region in 1986, so it is critical that our training simulates as much as possible the extreme conditions of our next expedition." Daily updates and photos from Bancroft and Arnesen's training trip will be posted online at www.yourexpedition.com. "We look forward to sharing the stories of our training experiences with people everywhere," said Bancroft. "Our hope is that our stories of struggle and triumph as we prepare for this tremendous undertaking will help others see the possibilities before them and begin taking the steps necessary to achieve their life's goals and dreams." About yourexpedition yourexpedition is a leadership company that develops solutions to help individuals and organizations, from the boardroom to the classroom, succeed. yourexpedition's flagship brand, Bancroft Arnesen Explore (BAE), ignites and inspires individuals to see possibilities, seize opportunities and succeed. These solutions help people tap into the BAE Mindset mind·set or mind-set n. 1. A fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person's responses to and interpretations of situations. 2. An inclination or a habit. -- the mindset Bancroft and Arnesen embrace as they pursue their expeditions under some of the most challenging conditions on Earth. For more information, visit www.yourexpedition.com. Bancroft Arnesen Explore (BAE) Arctic Ocean Partners Corporations and community organizations partner with BAE and yourexpedition to inspire their internal and external audiences worldwide. Current and past partners include Pfizer Women's Health Women's Health Definition Women's health is the effect of gender on disease and health that encompasses a broad range of biological and psychosocial issues. , Wilderness Inquiry, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is a global association supporting the female-oriented and female-only Scouting organizations in 144 countries. It was established in 1928 and has its headquarters in London, England. , the Norwegian American Foundation, Volvo and Motorola. For more information about partnership opportunities, call 612-333-4996 or visit www.yourexpedition.com. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion