Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes is battling to be the first to complete the 4 Deserts in a calendar year
(22 November 2008, Ushuaia, Argentina) – The final leg of the 4 Deserts, The Last Desert in Antarctica, will get underway on Monday as competitors meet in the port of Ushuaia, Argentina -- the southernmost tip of South America -- to board an expedition ship which is expected to take them to six locations on and around Antarctica over a ten-day period. Competitors must first endure the rough and choppy crossing of the Drake Passage which is expected to send nearly all competitors to their cabins to battle seasickness. If successful, fourteen competitors will complete the 4 Deserts series earning a special medal and the knowledge that only twenty seven individuals to date have completed such a feat. Two competitors, Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes of the United States and Bush Doctor Paul Liebenberg of South Africa, are vying to be the first to complete the 4 Deserts in a calendar year. A record number of women will be competing with women from Korea, Italy, the United States and the United Kingdom in the field. Team Trifecta/Mountain Hardwear of Australia and the United States is hoping to be only the second team in the world to complete The Last Desert.
Competitors will traverse up to 250 kilometers over six stages through terrain consisting of ice, deep snow and rocks, and tackle harsh weather which could include sub-zero temperatures and fierce winds. The Last Desert will take place in six locations in and around Antarctica – these locations may include: Deception Island, Aitcho Island, Cuverville Island, Danco Island, Orne Island, Paradise Bay, Foyne Harbor, Portal Point, Neko Harbor, Petermann Island, Goudier Island and/or Jougla Point, among others. Locations will be determined daily depending on weather and ice conditions.
The competitors from thirteen countries include: David Annandale (United Kingdom), John W. Barratt (Canada), Nicola Benetti (Italy), Mark B. Bishop (South Africa), Peter A. Bocquet (Australia), Tony G. Brammer (United Kingdom), Louise Cooper (United States), Laura Corti (Italy), Carlos R. Dias (Brazil), Emma E. Dawber (United Kingdom), James Elson (United Kingdom), Frank A. Fumich (United States), Carlos Garcia Preito (Spain), Evegeniy Gorkov (Russia), Michael A. Hull (Australia), Dean N. Karnazes, Hyo Jung Kim (Korea), Kah Shin Leow (Singapore), Steve J. Nolan (United Kingdom), Harold B. Roberts (United Kingdom), Martyn P. Sawyer (United Kingdom), Kyung Tae Song (Korea), Peter L. Wilson (Australia), and Ji Sung Yoo (Korea).
The Intel Corp. is providing battled-tested "aidstation" laptops to outfit a cabin on the ship which will enable competitors to blog, check results and receive emails and blog comments. The laptops will also be taken on shore to file breaking news updates through BGAN satellite terminals.
The Last Desert will be aired on television networks in Korea (MBC), and TransWorld Sports (IMG) for broadcast in more than 80 countries. Outside magazine will have a renowned photographer at the event to capture the images of the competitors against the stunning and harsh backdrop. Website coverage of the The Last Desert (Antarctica) 2008 can be found at www.4deserts.com/thelastdesert which will feature hundreds of pictures, breaking news texts, daily journals, field updates and full results. Full biographical details of the competitors can also be found on the website under "Official Competitors".
About RacingThePlanet
RacingThePlanet Events Limited organizes the world's most prestigious outdoor events of their kind. RacingThePlanet® is a unique category of rough country footraces that take place over seven days and some 250 kilometers in remote and culturally rich locations around the world. Competitors must carry all their own equipment and food; they are only provided with water and a place in a tent each day but are supported by professional medical and operations teams.
RacingThePlanet is international; the events typically involve competitors from over 20 different countries who are able to mingle around the campfires and in their geographically mixed tents. Currently the events consist of the 4 Deserts, a series which encompasses the Gobi Desert in China, the Atacama Desert in Chile, the Sahara Desert in Egypt and Antarctica, and a fifth event which roves to a new location each year.
RacingThePlanet also maintains an online store which carries only the best products for endurance events, travel and the outdoors. The store can be found at RacingThe Planet.com.
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