History repeated as Amundsen team plants flag at South Pole first
09 January 2012
Lt Col Henry Worsley MBE, a British Army officer,
polar adventurer and author, is celebrating victory in the
modern-day recreation of Capt Robert Falcon Scott and Roald
Amundsen's 1911/12 race to the South Pole, in aid of The Royal
British Legion.
Lt Col Worsley and his fellow member of the Amundsen team, WO2 Lou Rudd, reached the geographical South pole at 5.20pm on 9 January 2012 after a seven-hour push to cover the final 12 and a half nautical miles to the pole.
Recording their daily audio update, the pair said they were "exhilarated" to have planted their flag ahead of the Scott team, but were "totally shattered".
"This is an auspicious day and I imagine Amundsen's diary entry will be very similar to mine," said Lt Col Worsley. "History has been repeated."
Rudd added: "The job is done, now its time to crash and burn for 24 hours."
The Scott-Amundsen Centenary Race was already the most authentic ever recreation of the 1911-12 race, so it was a fitting victory for the team taking the route forged by Amundsen's team 100 years ago.
Team Scott led by Mark Langridge are on track to reach the South Pole next week close to the exact date Captain Scott reached the Pole.
All the money raised from the expedition will go towards The Royal British Legion's crucial work, providing help and support to serving and ex-Service people, and their families.
The Legion's Director of National Events and Fundraising Russell Thompson said: "A huge congratulations to the Amundsen team for completing the 700-mile gruelling journey over snow and ice to reach the South Pole. It is an extraordinary achievement and The Royal British Legion is thrilled to be supported by the funds raised from this historical trip."
Visit their website to read the team's daily updates and make a donation at www.scottamundsenrace.org
