LONDONNULL intrepid women from as many Commonwealth countries leaves for a daring 40 day expedition to the South Pole on November 4 to promote international understanding and exchange and to highlight the achievements of women across the world.
 
The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition has drawn women from Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, Ghana, India, Jamaic, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

The women who have diverse backgrounds will brave blizzards, crevasses and temperatures below minus 40 degrees Celsius over approximately 40 days to the geographic South Pole, as they mark the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth.

Speaking at a news conference at the Royal Commonwealth Club on Monday, the expedition leader Felicity Aston explained the background of the expedition and said though they will not be understanding any scientific experiments, the primary aim is foster international co operation and  understanding as the members comes from a very different background to each other.

The members of the expedition were selected from 800 applicants from the eight countries and were then short listed to 10 from which eight were eventually selected. The selected members then under went grueling training in Norway and New Zealand to prepare themselves for the challenges ahead.

On reaching their target, the members from Brunei, Cyprus, Ghana and Jamaica will be the first person from their nation, male or female, to ski to the South Pole. Those from India, New Zealand and Singapore will be the first women from their own respective country to make this symbolic and prestigious journey.

Unguided and unsupported each will pull a sledge containing 80 kgs of food, fuel and equipment after landing by plane at the start point on the coast of Antarctica on November 18. They will then set out on skis the next day for the South Pole.

The expedition members will return to the UK between January 6 and 10 and on dispersal will begin educational outreach programme and talk shows to explain their respective experiences. The expedition comprise  Najibah Eradah (Brunei Darussalam), Stephanie Solomonides (Cyprus), Reena Kaushal (India), Kim Marie Spence (Jamaica), Sophia Pang (Singapore), Kylie Wakelin (New Zealand), Barbara Yanney (Ghana).