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Preet Chandi has already hiked solo to the South Pole
Photo: Liam McBurney / picture alliance / empics
British military doctor Preet Chandi is about to set the record for the longest unaccompanied solo polar expedition by a woman with an adventurous tour.
As the BBC reported, the 33-year-old traveled almost 1400 kilometers through Antarctica in the past few weeks, sometimes at temperatures of down to minus 50 degrees.
The record for such an expedition, which skier Anja Blacha has held since 2020, is 1381 kilometers according to the Guinness Book of Records.
There was initially no official confirmation of Chandi's record.
The University of Derby, which awarded Chandi an honorary degree last year, congratulated the adventurer on Twitter.
Derby native Chandi did not achieve her goal of a full Antarctic crossing: "I'm quite disappointed that I don't have time to complete the crossing," she is quoted as saying by the BBC.
But she knows that she already has a huge journey behind her.
In November, the British Army physiotherapist set out with the goal of completing her tour in 75 days.
She had received support from the British royal family for this project: Princess Kate took over the patronage of Preet Chandi's current expedition and, according to the BBC, also assured Chandi of her support by telephone.
Solo to the South Pole
"Captain Chandi takes up the challenge to inspire future generations to believe in themselves, to push their limits and to show how nature can help them achieve their dreams," the royal family said.
Kate firmly believes in nature's tremendous impact on human well-being and on skills like confidence and resilience.
Chandi had already demonstrated this in January when she hiked solo to the South Pole.
