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II Magnetic Update
Lat: N 77° 03.768′
Lng: W 100° 38.100′
Time: 20:30 Local Time (GMT -0500)

II Magnetic covered a distance of ~12Nm (~22km) today, once again faced with rubble fields and deep powder snow.

Note: The purple balloon on the above map represents Raymond’s Team II Magnetic.

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

Polar Race Update

And they’re off!

Precisely at 10:20 the 3rd Leg of the 2007 Polar Race for the Wedgwood Blue Ice Trophy started. 75 miles from Cator Harbour to a waypoint about 4 miles off the coast of King Christian Island.
All in good spirits and with little broken on the last and longest leg the teams could sense they were on the “home” stretch. I expect competition to be close.

As this leg is mostly out of sight of land there are no geographical points to navigate by (apart from hopefully the sun) I am cheered to know that they are all now proficient in use of GPS (Global Positioning System) which allows the bearer to locate his/her position anywhere in the world.

Since 2000 when we undertook the “Footsteps of Shackleton” expedition in South Georgia we have always used the basic Garmin etrex GPS unit.
Simple and efficient without any “bells and whistles” it has a long battery life and is easily handled and operated by all even when using it with thick gloves – especially important in the Polar Regions!
I have won many yacht races with another Garmin model so you can say that I am quite a supporter so there was never any debate when we started buying nav aids.

- Don’t forget you can see the progress of the racers at:

www.polarrace.com/2007/map/

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

II Magnetic Update
Lat: N 75° 23.152′
Lng: W 096° 56.128′
Time: 22 April – 17:05:05 Local Time (GMT -0500)

Fifth Position
II Magnetic have arrived at checkpoint 2 fifth, however retain fourth position overall. They increased their speed by 1.5Nm/day this leg and will need to keep it up as the Brass Monkeys are hot on their tail – less than 20 minutes separate them!

Leg Two Statistics for II Magnetic
Min Distance Covered*: 99.78Nm
Time Taken: 6days 8hrs 40mins 5secs
Min Average Speed*: 15.7Nm/day

* NB Our positions are taken as straight lines between daily contacts with the racers and as such this represents the minimum value for these statistics

Polar Race Update

Apologies if you have missed out on my musings but for the last 2 days I have been “hors d’combat” suffering from something pretty vile which had me “erupting” from all parts.

The show must go on however so while I lay abed the others just got on as if nothing had happened, a great bunch of guys.

I swear Rob Sleep can read my mind!
I am always glad I took him up on his offer he really is a man of many talents.

I might add at this point it was a bug since no alcohol is available to buy in Resolute. I just hope no else picks it up as I would wish it on no one!

Nack to the Race, five of our six teams have arrived at Checkpoint Two, with the last due in lunchtime tomorrow. Second in to CP 2 having lead most of the way was Team Polar Horizon. Knowing the individuals concerned, I suspect this is the spur needed to make them pullout all stops.

In the first leg they were hampered by poor tactics. In this terrain it pays to know when to get off skis and to walk. When they got in to Checkpoint 1 having broken 7 bindings while everyone else had broken only 2 in total (and one of those due to an over inquisitive polar
bear) I think the penny dropped and they have been much faster since.

The team is lead by banker Alex Henney who was so determined to do the race that he had remedial surgery done on his knee. Emlyn Evans of Squab Storage fame and overnight a hero in Wales is the “quiet one” of the bunch. While giant banker John barker is very much the meat in the middle but with that size of meat it makes for a very big sandwich!
I suspect their day is still to come as determination is not short in supply and they hate to be beaten.

Jock Wishart

- Don’t forget you can see the progress of the racers at:
www.polarrace.com/2007/map/

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

II Magnetic Update
Lat: N 76° 40.548′
Lng: W 098° 24.841′
Time: 20:30 Local Time (GMT -0500)

II Magnetic had another good day today covering just over 14Nm (~26km) and have every intention of reaching Chackpoint 2 late tomorrow afternoon.

Note: The purple balloon on the above map represents Raymond’s Team II Magnetic.

Polar Race Update

Written on behalf of Jock by Chris

Finally the weather is in our favour and we safely landed the
Checkpoint Crew, after having a clear weather report for our teams in
the area.
Today our troubles were actually being able to get a plane to take
the crew up there as the weather had meant many flights backing up.
This was all sorted out and the crew flew this afternoon.

Two Teams had reached the Checkpoint and helped clear a runway for the plane. The first place spot remains with Team Refuge after they made a 2am start this morning to arrive at checkpoint a few hours
before Polar Horizon – who came in second.

The other Teams checked in safely this evening and most believe
themselves to be within a day’s march of Checkpoint Two, we hope the
weather remains clear for them.

Meanwhile back at Camp, Jock has been stricken with a “24-hour ‘flu”
that we have heard is circulating the small community at the moment
and has spent the day bedridden. We wish him good health and a swift
recovery. Some thoeries involve Jock’s cooking in the cause of this
bout of illness, but we have no concrete evidnece to back this up.

- Don’t forget you can see the progress of the racers at:
www.polarrace.com/2007/map/

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

The weather where we need to touch down to set up Checkpoint Two is unfortunately still being prohibitive.

The weather here in Resolute is fine again, but we have been in contact with our racers during the day and they confirm that the weather further north from them is not suitable for landing a plane.

Therefore our checkpoint crew will have to be delayed again.

As before we are at the mercy of the weather, but that is the way of things here.

Still, the racers are well prepared for the eventuality that they arrive before we set up Checkpoint and understand that the weather plays a big part in the timing. However the racers are focused on the race as the gaps between teams gets smaller. Be sure to check on their progress on our map.

Back at Race Control the Checkpoint Crew are itching to get away but will have to wait for now.

Also we have added some new videos and photos to the gallery section of the website, so please take a look at:

www.polarrace.com/gallery/

- Don’t forget you can see the progress of the racers at:

www.polarrace.com/2007/map/

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

II Magnetic
Lat: N 76° 03.747′
Lng: W 097° 23.399′
Time: 20:30 Local Time (GMT -0500)

II Magnetic moved 12.7Nm (23.5km) today, however they are obliged to keep to the beach on this stretch so they likely covered a lot more ground than this.

Note: The purple balloon on the above map represents Raymond’s Team II Magnetic.

Polar Race Update

Brilliant weather in Resolute!
Brilliant weather for the racers!

But we could not land the Checkpoint team in Cator Harbour, north of Bathurst Island and site of our 2nd checkpoint because of fog. A point we made clear to our racers who now understand just how variable the weather is and also how localised it can be.

Frustrating however for us in Resolute.

At this time I always like to run “Jock’s rule” over the teams.

Team Refuge are currently lying 2nd in the Race but there is only yards in it. It is made up of two old friends Jake Morland and James Turner.

Jake has an effervescent personality but is cool in a crisis as befits his job working for the UN in Baghdad. He is a very likable lad (as is his partner James) but underneath that calm exterior lurks a steely determination.

James is quieter and the perfect foil to Jake. More laid back he is a teacher in London. Most importantly he is the one that organises Jake and keeps him in check.

They are a formidable combination.

Back in Resolute Jeremy Clarkson has arrived. All of us have different theories as how the car will go as it attempts to get to the Magnetic Pole we certified back in 1996.
It has become a popular place.
Thank goodness we lugged that magnetometer all that way to take the measurements!!

- Don’t forget you can see the progress of the racers at:
www.polarrace.com/2007/map/

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

II Magnetic Update
Lat: N 75° ‘
Lng: W 097° ‘
Time: 21:00 Local Time (GMT -0500)

II Magnetic have had another good day today, and we spoke to both Roddy and Raymond this evening confirming that the pair of them are in good spirits and health, settling down having covered 13.8Nm (25.6km) over hard terrain today.

Note: The purple balloon on the above map represents Raymond’s Team II Magnetic.

Polar Race Update

Not seeing a bear was the exception rather than the rule as competitors moved further north passing across a major migratory route which runs through Polar Bear Pass on Bathurst Island.

They are magnificent creatures and the local conservation policy has meant, perhaps contrary to perceived opinion, that there has been a substantial increase in numbers in the area. Our racers however have taken this in their stride and have got used to scaring them away.
For the most part the bears are only curious and as long as the correct techniques are followed and a careful watch is kept we hope that all will be well.

They certainly have been helped thoroughly in their training by Met Policeman Casper Hays, a previous competitor in the race who has a meticulous attention to detail.
His personal experience has given them all great confidence in dealing with likely encounters and we are very glad to have him on the team.

Out on the course the competitors had probably their best day hot
(-17°C) and no wind! All made good mileage despite having to struggle through a large rubble field.

Meanwhile back at Race Control, the Checkpoint Crew have been busy preparing all the fuel and food for themselves and to resupply the racers out at Checkpoint 2.

- Don’t forget you can see the progress of the racers at:
www.polarrace.com/2007/map/

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

II Magnetic Update
Lat: N 75° 36.581′
Lng: W 097° 05.909′
Time: 20:30 Local Time (GMT -0500)

II Magnetic covered 13.8Nm (25.4km) their Second best day so far. Obviously the rest at Checkpoint One has spurred them on!

Note: The purple balloon on the above map represents Raymond’s Team II Magnetic.

Polar Race Update

Leg 2 of the Polar Race 2007 started today at 08.25 with all the teams setting out together on their way to CP2, north of Bathurst Island some 130 miles away:- the longest and hardest leg of the Race.

When they rang in tonight all were in good spirits having absolutely stormed along with 4 teams (if they knew it) camped only a few hundred yards apart but out of sight of each other in the rubble.

The only serious mishap that has occurred so far actually happened yesterday afternoon at the Checkpoint when one of the teams made the foolish mistake of attempting to fill their fuel bottles in their tent while the stove was on and burnt a hole in their tent!

The Checkpoint Crew were airlifted back to Resolute from the Polaris Mine this afternoon. They sure were happy to get back to real food and a warm bed tonight! There’s only three days before they leave again for Checkpoint 2, so they will be relishing every minute!

- Don’t forget you can see the progress of the racers at:
www.polarrace.com/2007/map/

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

With Carpe Diem only in at 17.00 hrs on Saturday night and the 2nd leg of the Race due to start on Sunday afternoon it was gratifying for the Organisers to be approached by the other teams asking that the start be delayed until Monday morning, in order that the members of Carpe Diem get a proper rest and so that everyone could start together.

Organisers had no hesitation in agreeing to this request. Such is “ethos” behind the Polar Race.
In the end it worked out well for everyone as come the time of the official start it was blowing snow with winds gusting up to 60km an hour so all were happy to spend the day tentbound.

» CHECKPOINTS

We have been asked by a number of people what we mean by “checkpoints” and how they apply to the Polar Race.

When the Polar Race was originally conceived it was decided that it would be too much to ask contestants who were (in the main) Polar novices, to undertake the whole race unsupported and hence it was decided that they would have to be resupplied. At the same time we needed to put in safety cover for the contestants and to some extent influence the route they would take (to make it as safe as possible and avoid known danger areas) as well as making sure they were properly rested. Hence, the idea of manned checkpoints was born.

In the Polar Race there are three checkpoints between the Start in Resolute Bay and the Finish at the 1996 certified position of the North Magnetic Pole. This was the position of the Magnetic Pole certified and measured by David Hempleman-Adams and Jock Wishart for the Canadian authorities in their Ultimate Challenge expedition of
1996 when the first group of polar novices was taken to a pole.
Each checkpoint is strategically placed and at each the contestants are required to stop for a minimum period to rest and be resupplied.

As the race is about accumulated time between checkpoints, time spent at checkpoints is not included in the race time and where possible the contestants are restarted en masse at the end of the rest period.

The first, CP1, is near the site of the old Polaris mine. This is about 60 miles from Resolute and is normally on new ice and therefore quite flat and is considered a good introduction to the race.

The second, CP2, is just North of Bathurst Island and is the longest leg but easily navigable over the island. It also marks the start of the most difficult leg to navigate, where the contestants are completely out of sight of land.

The third, CP3, is at King Christian Island, the only landmark between Bathurst Island and Ellef Ringnes Island.

In each case the exact location of the checkpoint is where the Twin Otter plane containing the re-supply team can find sea ice flat enough to put down. The contestants are then informed of the exact co-ordinates where they then navigate to. The plane drops off the Checkpoint Support Crew, re-supply kit and personal messages for the teams before the first racers arrive. Then, after the racers have left the checkpoint, another plane comes in from Polar Race Base Camp to transport the Support Crew and a new set of re-supply kit and messages to the next checkpoint.

- Don’t forget you can see the progress of the racers at:
http://polarrace.com/2007/map/

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

You may make whatever comments you wish by simply clicking on the “comments” link below.

Our final team Carpe Diem (Dan Byles, Richard Profit and 62 years young Jan Meek) arrived safely into Polaris in good order this
evening:- tired but very happy.

What a great feeling it was to see all our contestants arrive at the first check point in such good condition – no cold weather injuries, close racing and all having obviously enjoyed themselves.

Despite all the work that was done in preparing the contestants in the UK the ONLY place you can train people is the Arctic and yet only
2 weeks ago none had been north of the Arctic Circle. Now they are coping with -30 degrees centigrade. What a great testimony to our training team of Neill Williams, Geoff Somers and Rob Sleep.

Only a few years ago none would have believed such a race possible!

Here are the current standings of the race at Checkpoint One:

1: Team Refuge
2: Polar Horizon
3: II Magnetic
4: Blue Tits
5: Brass Monkeys
6: Carpe Diem

Further statistics on the standings can be found at:
- http://polarrace.com/2007/standings/

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