KASPERSKY LAB COMMONWEALTH ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

7 DECEMBER 2009: PRESS BULLETIN

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic team has reached its first navigation point and started, for the first time, to head due South towards the Thiel Mountains and the South Pole itself. Careful navigation is more important than ever at this stage as they try to avoid the treacherous crevasse fields and stay on target to collect their first cache or resupply which is only a day away.

In addition to the daily hazards of extreme cold, high winds and the physical effort of dragging all their food and equipment, they now have to keep their minds sharp to avoid falling into crevasses. These giant gaps in the ice can be tens of metres wide, hundreds deep and cover several kilometres, but they can also be very difficult to see. Covered in snow against an allwhite backdrop, the first sign that youre in such a field might be the whoosh of the ground beneath you falling away.

Careful navigation, peeled eyes and constant vigilance will be a necessary to avoid any unpleasant surprises. The team may also ski whilst roped together so that should one of them fall into a crevasse, the others can hold their fall and then drag them back out again.

Commenting on this stage of their monumental journey, expedition leader Felicity Aston said: &ldquoWe have had recent reports from a pilot that the crevasse fields are full of really big holes, so our navigation has to be spot on. We decided to make a fourday &lsquodog leg&rsquo around the fields to avoid the worst hit bits but we are on tenterhooks everytime the snow moves beneath us. We are also really excited about reaching our cache which has clean underwear and some treats to keep us going.&rdquo

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition sees women from seven Commonwealth countries &ndash Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, India, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom &ndash ski 900 kilometres to the Geographic South Pole. On reaching their target, the team members from Brunei, Cyprus, Ghana and Jamaica will be the first person from their nation, male or female, to ski to the South Pole. Those from India, New Zealand and Singapore will be the first women from their nation to make this symbolic and prestigious journey.

&ldquoOnly a great team is capable of performing great deeds,&rdquo said the representative of the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition. &ldquoTogether with Kaspersky Lab we make an outstanding team and we believe our expedition will become one of the most eminent historical events ever! From the bottom of our hearts we&rsquod like to thank Kaspersky Lab for being with us at the turning point of our lives and sharing our spirit of adventure!&rdquo

The expedition marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth as well as demonstrating the potential for greater international understanding and exchange, and highlighting the achievements of women across the World.

Follow the Team on Ice...

You can keep up to speed with daily blogs, regular PodCasts and live Twitter updates by following the link below to our website:

kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.com