Captain Preet Chandi of Indian Origin Creates History; Breaks Ski Record Expedition in Antarctica

Indian origin Sikh army officer Captain Preet Chandi has broken a world record for the furthest unsupported solo polar ski expedition by any woman in history. 

According to The Independent, Captain Chandi covered 1,485 kilometres in 70 days and 16 hours in Antarctica. 

Capt. Preet Chandi had to face many challenges while achieving this feat. She faced harsh temperatures that went as low as minus thirty degree celsius. She skied for between 13 and 15 hours per day, sometimes battling exhaustion. There were times when she slept for just 5 hours a day. 

The previous record was set in 2015 by retired lieutenant colonel Henry Worsey who covered 1,459km. He later died after collapsing from exhaustion towards the end of the trek.

Capt. Preet, popularly known as “Polar Preet,” fell short of completing her target of going coast to coast, around 100 miles (160km) from where she was picked up.

During the trek Chandi pulled all her supplies in a sledge that weighed around 120 kg. 

‘Polar Preet’ desires to inspire everyone by breaking this record. 

She said, “I’m disappointed that I ran out of time to make the crossing of Antarctica which would have been around another 100 miles.But I also feel I did everything I could. I didn’t take a single day off in 70 days and pushed the hours every single day.”

“I’m also proud of myself, I kept going when it was tough, when I thought I couldn’t do it anymore.”

She expressed that anyone can achieve anything they want. 

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“I wanted to show that it does not matter where you are from, what you look like or what your start line is, you can truly achieve anything”, she said. 

“A lot of people told me that I would not be able to achieve things, wanted me to fit into a box, I’m sure the individuals would not admit that now but I’m so so glad I didn’t listen to them.”

“If a Punjabi woman from Derby can do this, then anybody can achieve anything.”

Besides this dangerous feat, Preet has completed 1,127 KM ski to the South Pole in the month of January last year becoming the first woman of colour to embark on a solo expedition to the South Pole. 

She joined the army reserves at the age of 19 and the regular army at the age of 27. At present she is based in Buckinghamshire working in a regional rehabilitation unit assisting injured soldiers. 

Preet has broken all barriers and boundaries beyond human comprehension. She’s broken many gender stereotypes by completing a dangerous expedition which many people will not dare to undertake. She is truly an inspiration to everyone, especially the women folk all over the world.