Female Army Captain battles -30C temps in farthest unsupported solo polar ski expedition in history

A female Army officer battled exhaustion and temperatures as low as -30C to make the furthest unsupported solo polar ski expedition in history.

Captain Preet Chandi, from Derby, covered 922 miles – 1,485km – in 70 days and 16 hours, breaking the record for the longest solo unsupported and unassisted expedition in Antarctica, according to the British Army.

The previous world record of 907 miles was set in 2015 by fellow soldier Henry Worsley, a retired lieutenant colonel, who later died after collapsing from exhaustion towards the end of the trek.

Capt Chandi, dubbed ‘Polar Preet’, fell short of completing her target of going coast to coast, around 100 miles from where she was picked up.

Captain Preet Chandi, from Derby, covered in a thick sheet of ice during her solo polar ski expedition world record in Antarctica

The 33-year-old from Debry covered 922 miles (1,485km) in 70 days and 16 hours, according to the British Army

The Army officer skied for 13 to 15 hours a day and some days got as little as five hours sleep

The 33-year-old said: ‘Mentally, it was tough knowing I didn’t have enough time to make the crossing, but the expedition was about pushing my boundaries and inspiring others to do the same, so how could I not continue?

‘I’m disappointed I ran out of time to make the crossing of Antarctica, but I did everything I could. I didn’t take a day off and pushed as hard as possible every day.

‘I’m proud that I kept going when it was tough and I thought I couldn’t do any more.’

Capt Chandi skied for between 13 and 15 hours per day with as little as five hours’ sleep at times.

During the trek she pulled all her kit and supplies on a sledge, which weighed around 19 stone (120kg), while battling temperatures as low as minus 30C and wind speeds of up to 60mph.

Capt Chandi, dubbed ‘Polar Preet’, battled extremely difficult conditions and temperatures as low as -30C

She said: ‘I’m proud that I kept going when it was tough and I thought I couldn’t do any more’

Capt Chandi completed the challenge while on a period of leave from her Army role, having joined the Army Reserves at the age of 19 and the regular Army at 27.

She is now based in Buckinghamshire, working as a physiotherapist at a regional rehabilitation unit, helping injured soldiers with training and rehabilitation.

A GoFundMe page has raised more than £11,000, half of which will go to an ‘adventure grant’ for women carrying out ‘unique challenges’, while the other half will go towards Capt Chandi’s next expedition.

Last year, she became the first woman of colour to embark on a solo expedition on the continent when she completed a 700-mile (1,127km) ski to the South Pole in January.

In that challenge she finished the trek in 40 days, seven hours and three minutes, becoming the third-fastest female to complete the feat.

Capt Preet getting ready to make history for a second time after breaking another record in her second solo expedition to Antarctica

Last year the 33-year-old became the first woman of colour to solo explore Antarctica

Steve Jones, expedition manager for Antarctic Logistics Expeditions (Ale), said: ‘Preet’s aim of skiing more than 1,700km across Antarctica alone and without resupply is one of the most physically demanding challenges on Earth.

‘Although she ran out of time after almost 71 hard days and did not complete the last leg of the planned route down the Reedy Glacier to the Ross Ice Shelf, she has skied further unsupported and alone than anyone in history.

‘Her indomitable courage and determination are quite remarkable – she has pushed the boundaries of human endeavour.’

Lieutenant General Sharon Nesmith, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, said: ‘The British Army is immensely proud of Captain Chandi.

‘To achieve what she has in the face of extremely arduous conditions and battle on bravely, refusing to give up, and to be the best she can possibly be is a huge inspiration to so many around the world.’