Polar Preet has broken the world record for the longest, solo, unaided polar expedition by a woman.
Captain Harpreet Chandi, has travelled 868 miles (1,397 km) so far in temperatures as cold as -50C (-58F), skiing 13 to 15 hours a day pulling a sledge, which she prepared for by training in Greenland and Norway.
The previous female record was 858 miles (1,381 km), skied by Anja Blacha in 2020.
We had the pleasure to meet Preet last year at our annual event Inspire Fest. She was hugely inspiring.
She shared many nuggets with us and motivated us to want more and do more! Some of Preet’s tips:
How do you push yourself mentally and physically? I completed Marathon des Sables (arguably one of the hardest ultra marathons in the world) and it left me wanting more. The more you do, the more you realise what you are capable of.
At age 19, I joined the Army Reserves where I eventually commissioned in 2012. I went to University to study Physiotherapy and graduated in 2012, I was the first person in my family to get a dergee and it remains one of my greatest achievements.
My appetite for greater and greater challenges started to grow, starting with my first half marathon at 20 years old. After completing my first marathon, I decided to try an ultra marathon. Dusk to Dawn (50 miles in the Peak District) left me feeling very achy and sick but I had already caught the bug. The scale of my adventures started to grow and my definition of what is normal changed.
Aged 27, I decided to join the Regular Army and I have not looked back since. I have completed large scale exercises/deployments in Nepal, Kenya and a 6 month UN peacekeeping tour to South Sudan. Whilst in South Sudan (in addition to my duties as task-force Physiotherapist), I organised a 30 hour endurance event to raise money for charity. I completed the full 30 hours and UK soldiers would join me for anything between 1 and 12 hours.
My personal adventures have grown too. I have been on hiking and climbing trips in Kenya, Morocco, Mexico, the Alps, Bolivia, Peru, Iceland, Nepal and many more.
Anything ambitious can feel out of reach at the beginning but every bit of training I have completed has brought me closer to my goal. My training expeditions in Greenland and Norway helped me prepare me for phase one which all brought me a step closer to the crossing of Antarctica.
I am currently based at a Military Unit in Buckinghamshire. My primary role is as the physiotherapist at a Regional Rehabilitation Unit, to organise training and rehabilitation for injured soldiers and officers. My training is all conducted on leave and I have taken a period of unpaid leave from the Army to complete this expedition.
I am ambitious and driven and incredibly motivated. When I told my family of my plan to cross Antartica, my brother was not surprised and said ‘you never give up.’ Even if it is out of pure stubbornness to not give up, I know I will achieve this goal.
I became the first woman of colour to do a solo expedition in Antartica. There are still only a few female adventurers that have completed a solo, unsupported trek in Antarctica. Let’s continue to make history.
“Nothing is impossible” I’ve always had this idea that I can achieve something great, something that allows me to be a role model. I want my 11 year old niece to grow up without boundaries, knowing the possibilities of what you can achieve in life are endless.
This journey aims to inspire future generations in achieving whatever they desire and encourage other to push their boundaries.
Congratualtions Preet! Rooting for you!
