Captain Harpreet Chandi: British Army medic says she’s broken record for fastest solo ski across Antarctica

A British Army medic says she has become the fastest woman to ski solo across Antarctica.

Captain Harpreet Chandi, 34, has already broken two Guinness World Records for polar exploration – and now she’s claiming a third chilly title.

The adventurer – who says she only tried downhill skiing once before, and that she was “terrible” – crossed the 702 miles (1,130km) of Antarctic ice in 31 days, 13 hours and 19 minutes.

If confirmed, this would beat the previous record holder, the Canadian Caroline Cote, by a day, 14 hours and 34 minutes.

During her journey, she skied for around 12 or 13 hours a day, pulling a 75kg sled containing everything she needed to survive behind her.

“It was definitely not a sprint, but I had to constantly weigh up my effort and how long I would ski for each day,” she said after crossing the finish line.

“Too long or too fast and I was going to burn out. Too slow or finish too early and I’d miss out on the record.”

Capt Chandi described the continent as “an amazing place” and said it was an “absolute privilege” to be there.

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She added: “It is not a place any person can conquer, it is a place you treat with respect and hope it allows you safe passage.

“I’m so glad it allowed me safe passage.”

Capt Chandi, from Derby, is on a career break from military service where she was a physiotherapist providing rehabilitation for injured soldiers and officers.

She first made history by becoming the first woman of colour to complete a 700-mile Antarctic journey, solo and unsupported, to the South Pole in 2021.

She was recently made an MBE and was named Woman of the Year at the Women in Defence Awards 2022.