2012 Scott-Amundsen Centenary Race to the South Pole: Braam Malherbe Progress Update

Monday, 30 January: The brave SA team, "Team Mission Possible" have proven that nothing is impossible. After 25 days of combatting the most extreme weather conditions on earth and 742 kilometers of what is described as the 'toughest race on the planet', Braam Malherbe and Peter van Kets arrived at the South Pole on 28 January @ 6am. They were accompanied by the British team, whose load the SA team helped to carry...they did it...together! Now that's what we call team work.

Upon reaching the South Pole, Team SA had to overstrike 1000 SAMint commemorative coins. This was a world first. The medallions feature Antarctica on the reverse and promote the fight against climate change. It pays tribute to the history of scientific explorers and the men that crossed the ice-laden paths of the Antarctic to reach the South Pole 100 years ago. Team SA may have come in 3rd position...but we continue to emphasize that this 'race against time' was never about the position, it was about the mission.

The final days

Team SA and Team British Green/Centrepoint arrived at the South Pole on Saturday 28 January 2012 at 06:00 (SA time). They were exhausted, hungry and utterly overjoyed when they got there. For the past week they’ve been helping Team British Green carry the load of Andrew Carnie’s pulk (sleigh). Andrew fractured his arm just before the team arrived at the halfway checkpoint more than week ago. Fitting with the history of the race it was won by an extraordinary Norwegian team that amazed even the organisers. The Norwegians finished the race in 15 days, with the Welsh team arriving second in 22 days. Race organisers agree that it was quite an achievement for Braam Malherbe and Peter van Kets to complete this race as they were not use to the extreme cold conditions (it was –45˚ C the last couple of days) and skiing on snow. Van Kets has rowed the Atlantic Ocean solo and unsupported and Malherbe ran the entire Great Wall of China, but both agreed that the race to the South Pole was the most difficult endurance adventure they have ever done. The entire race was filmed by the Johannesburg based production company Urban Brew Studios and will be broadcast as a 4-part documentary series, Cold Sweat, on SABC 3 later this year. Braam Malherbe and Peter van Kets would like to thank God, their families and their friends for all the support.

Reaching the half way mark

The Cape locals arrived at the half way checkpoint just after 17h00 on 15 January,  having survived 375km of some of the most impossibly harsh icy terrain on the globe. The pair are currently observing a mandatory 24 hour rest and recovery period before they take on the remaining 330 km of the Scott-Amundsen Centenary Race to the South Pole.

South Africa currently lies in 3rd position. Race observers are unanimous that the South Africans are putting in a great performance, considering that they are almost strangers to the icy temperatures.

After the Norwegian win, Braam Malherbe and Peter van Kets offered to help Andrew Carrie from team British Green with his load. The duo have added an additional 9 kg to their 70 kg load of equipment that they are required to pull to the finish line.

Speaking from the South Pole Braam said that Andrew Carnie is extremely grateful as he would probably have had to give up so close to the end as he would not make it.  “Peter and I continue to push on – taking things one day at a time.  I just can’t explain how tough this race is, there is nothing on the planet that compares."

Commenting on the conditions Braam said, “visibility is poor and spindrift is around them with very soft snow and gradual uphill.”  The extra weight they are carrying is slowing them down quite a bit.  From a physical perspective their strides much shorter and extreme fatigue has set in due to the altitude and cold. It is getting colder the closer they are getting to the pole, temperatures are in the region of -45°. Due to these conditions they have no appetite and are force feeding themselves because their bodies need the intake – all they want to do is sleep.
In a tweet Braam sent his congratulations to the winning team “Not called the "toughest race on earth" for nothing! Congrats to the Norwegians on their record breaking win!”

Pushing forward for a special purpose

A well known conservationist Braam is doing the race in the hope of raising funds for conservation through the MyPlanet fund. Businesses like Woolworths donate a percentage of MyPlanet cardholders spend to NGO’s focused on conservation.

“This is the hardest thing I have ever done, we’re often racing at “-40°, for at least 35km per day, pulling a 70kg sled behind us. I am pushing on because of my mission. I want to show South African’s that we can do anything if we put our minds to it. And we must get behind conservation groups to save our environment”.

Commenting on the latest killing of 11 rhino’s in the Kruger Park, Braam's friend and personal assistant Ronel Visagie says that the news of the latest deaths would be too devastating to tell Braam and that they are not planning to do so until he returns. “The main drive behind his latest adventure is to save the rhino and this is Braam's passion. So, although we cannot tell him now, we know this news will only strengthen his commitment when he returns to fight poaching and preserving the planet for future generations. We really want to urge South Africans to get behind Braam and Peter, by getting behind our environment.” Braam always encourgaes people to D.O.T (Do One Thing) for the environment, such as getting a MyPlanet card. He uses his own MyPlanet card to support the Endangered Wildlife Trust, which uses funds to support Rhino conservation and more.

To view a full update on the race and teams visit www.coldsweat.tv

7 teams entered, only 4 teams finished - here is the top 3:

1. Norway - Winners
2. Wales 
3. SA and Britain
   

WIN THE MYPLANET FLAG THAT TRAVELLED ALL THE WAY TO THE SOUTH POLE!

You can win the signed MyPlanet flag that travelled all the way to the South Pole, plus VIP dinner for two people with Braam Malherbe. Simply swipe your MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card at least once in benefit of any MyPlanet organisation between 19 December 2011 and 4 February 2012 and you will go into the lucky draw. Terms and Conditions apply. If you don’t have a card yet, get one now!

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