Team 800
With Sponsorship, our team name will have the sponsor's name as a prefix; "(Sponsor) Team 800"
South Pole Race 2011/12
" A great team worthy of support. The very best of luck - you'll need it down there!" Sir Ranulph Fiennes November 2009.Team 800 - Questions and Answer
What is this all about?
This is the 100th Anniversary of the original Scott and Amundsen South Pole race. This event is the 2011 / 2012 Amundsen OMEGA 3 South Pole Race. It is an extreme endurance race covering over 430 nautical miles (495 statute miles) across one of the most desolate, dangerous and inhospitable places on earth. The teams will face constant challenges throughout their journey, operating in temperatures down to -50C, navigating and skiing while pulling a 70kg pulk (sled) and climbing 9300ft before reaching the South Pole.
What's the point?
Team 800's three main objectives are to win the race, enable one of the team to become the first deaf man to conquer both the North and South Poles and raise a significant amount of money for charity.
Why Team 800?
Our initial team name is "Team 800" because the team members Nick and Oliver first met with 800 days before the start of the 2011 / 2012 South Pole race.
How did the team form?
Oliver initially registered a South Pole Race team but needed to find two more individuals to join him on his record setting attempt. Oliver approached the race organisers whose waiting list had over 100 people on it. This list was reduced down to 20, then 9 were interviewed. The BBC filmed the selection interviews in the Victorian Library of the Mary Ward House which gave it a real 'Captain Scott' feeling!
After a hard and long deliberation, Oliver selected Nick to join him. This man was picked largely on the basis of their extensive military experience especially in extreme environments.
How much will it cost?
The total cost for entering the race is £62,000.
What about publicity?
The BBC is filming a documentary following Team 800's exploits and polar challenge. The race organisers will also be creating their own documentary for airing after the event.
www.team800.co.uk contains all the information you could possibly want about the team, the race, the equipment and a blog of our exploits. Team 800 is unique, Oliver's determination to be the first deaf man to achieve both Poles and Nick's military experience makes this team both extremely determined to succeed and an attractive media opportunity.
The race organiser's website www.thesouthpolerace.com. also gives lots of information about the race and its sponsors.
