100 years on from Scott and Amundsen’s epic duel, this Christmas I will take part in the centenary 700 km race to the South Pole, the toughest endurance race on the planet. For 35 days my 3 man team will compete to be the first to the pole, negotiating multiple crevasses, crossing snow bridges, and rising to 3000m on the high polar plateau on the way. With katabatic winds up to 80mph, temperatures as low as -40C, and the threat of blinding snowstorms, this is the ultimate endurance race set in the stunning landscape of one of the coldest, driest, and highest deserts on the planet

I am doing this to raise UWC scholarships for talented girls from conflict zones across the world. Attending UWC at Atlantic College will give them the opportunity to engage with students from around the world and gain the skills and confidence to contribute to a sustainable development in their home countries.

In 2008 I took part in a race to the North Pole and was able to raise two full UWC scholarships for Karima Ahmadi from Afghanistan and Talata Evers from Southern Sudan, who have since obtained their IB diploma at UWC and gone on to leading universities. 

Thank you so much for sponsoring me and giving these young women a chance. The thought of providing them such an opportunity will be the drug that drags me to the South Pole!

With love Yoyo

More information available here

www.atlanticcollege.org/team-yoyo-south-pole-race-2011/