Double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell, TV presenter Ben Fogle and Doctor Ed Coats compete in one of the world’s greatest challenges – the 2009 race to the South Pole.
Double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell, TV presenter Ben Fogle and Doctor Ed Coats compete in one of the world’s greatest challenges – the 2009 race to the South Pole.
It’s race day and our team starts off incredibly well, leading the pack but things start to take their toll. Ben, James and Ed begin to wonder if they stand a chance of even completing, let alone winning the race.
The team is forced to replace Jonny, and selects Dr Ed Coats, an ex-decathlete. Then Ben discovers he has contracted a potentially lethal disease, and it looks like their Antarctic dream is over before it’s even begun.
With each step the team risks falling through the thin snow-bridges that conceal the hidden danger beneath. Can they carry on or will they be able to fulfill their dream of reaching the South Pole – alive and just abou
All six race teams head off into the icy wilderness for a 10-day acclimatisation trek. Big storms and fierce blizzards blow in, threatening the start of the race. As the temperature plummets, emotions run high as the date of the race draws near.
Our polar novices attend their first training session. Will they be able to marry three busy careers with all the training and preparation needed to face the world’s coldest, windiest and highest continent?