Singaporean aims to be first woman from Republic to ski to South Pole

LONDON : A Singaporean may just be the first woman to ski to the South Pole.

She is among eight women who are taking part in an expedition which marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth.

The trip will see the women, all from Commonwealth countries, skiing over 900 kilometres in about 40 days.

The team will head from London for a short period of acclimatisation before they set off on skis from the Antarctic coast on November 19, aiming for the South Pole.

It is a diverse team of women, and Singapore’s representative is Sophia Pang, a 36—year—old mother of three. She thinks this diversity will be a source of strength for the team.

"We are so different; that really allows us to put an extra effort to make sure that we are able to or want to understand each other and be tolerant about it, because knowing that in 40 days, we are going to be very close to each other," said Singaporean team member Pang.

"One great thing is that everyone understands that there would be days that one or many will feel down and we will not take any negative terms personally and move on with it," she added.

And they will have to, as they brave blizzards, crevasses and temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius.

They have been training in Norway and New Zealand in preparation, but nothing is quite like the real thing.

Team leader Felicity Aston said: "The reason for the trip is to bring women from different places, different background, and different religions. And I think sharing and the diversity will be such a strength.

"When you strip everything else away, when you are just a person, a team... in the middle of Antartica, your core values, your worries, concerns, the things you celebrate, the things you enjoy — it’s the same for all of us."

And for the individual women involved, there is national pride at stake as they represent their countries, and have a desire not to let anyone down. — CNA /ls