Ranulph to return
JUNE 2014: Sir Ranulph Fiennes is set to return to the island next year
SIR Ranulph Fiennes will be returning to the island in 2014 to talk about his latest project – a Trans-Antarctic winter expedition he embarks on today (Thursday).
The explorer and Mount Everest conqueror was due to set off from London on the expedition ship SA Agulhas today on what will be the start of the world’s first ever attempt to cross the Antarctic in winter.
Following the success of his previous sell-out talk at the Gaiety Theatre in October, The Sporting & Dining Club have invited him back to speak again, this time in the Villa Marina’s Royal Hall on June 26, 2014.
The Coldest Journey project involves a 2,000-mile journey across the continent, that has for many years been considered too perilous to even attempt.
The expedition’s six-man Ice Team – led by Sir Ranulph – will have to overcome one of earth’s most hostile environments if they are to succeed, exposing themselves to temperatures dropping close to minus 90C and operating in near permanent darkness.
A winter traverse of the Antarctic is widely regarded as the last true remaining polar challenge and the expedition’s success will reassert Britain’s status as the world’s greatest nation of explorers.
A fundraising initiative will run side-by-side with the expedition with the aim of raising $10m for Seeing is Believing to help fight blindness around the world.
Having never been attempted, the expedition will also provide unique and invaluable scientific research that will help climatologists, as well as forming the basis for an education programme that will reach up to 100,000 schools across the Commonwealth.
Sir Ranulph will also talk about some of the other amazing feats that he has accomplished, including an incredible seven marathons in seven days, a global adventure that began in the wilds of South America and finished in New York’s concrete jungle.
In March, 2007, despite former frostbite injuries, limited climbing experience and a fear of heights, at the age of 63, he successfully climbed the North Face of the Eiger to raise money for the Marie Curie cancer charity after losing his wife, mother and sister to the disease over an 18-month period.
At the age of 65 and at his third attempt, he conquered Mount Everest, telling the BBC, ‘This is the closest you can get to the moon by walking.’
Hailed as the greatest living explorer, Sir Ranulph, along with his companion Charles Burton became the first men in history to reach both Poles in the great Transglobe expedition.
Tickets for the event are on sale now.
Dinner packages are available exclusively through The Sporting & Dining Club, on 617049 or email john@sportinganddiningclub.com
Tiered stalls cost £18.
To buy tickets contact the Villa Marina/Gaiety Box Office at www.villagaiety.com or call 600555.
www.thecoldestjourney.org
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Weather for Isle of Man
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 32 mph
Wind direction: North west
