Caroline Côté Smashes South Pole Speed Record

Arriving at the South Pole after covering the 1,100km from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole, Caroline Côté has smashed the Hercules Inlet to South Pole women’s speed record.

To avoid the weather instability associated with the start of the season, Côté started her campaign later in the season. Setting off on December 9 she was on pace for a sub-40-day run from the beginning. But in the notoriously unpredictable weather systems of Antarctica, there is no guarantees.

With large polar expeditions like this, consistency is key and day after day, Côté was able to dig deep and churn out 30km+ days on the ice despite tough conditions and regular whiteouts. Her final time of 33 days, 2 hours, and 55 minutes shaves more than five days off Davidsson’s 2016 record.

36-year-old Côté, who is also an award-winning filmmaker, is only the second Canadian woman to make this journey.

She was however, not the only one trying to beat Davidson’s mark. The UK’s Wendy Searle who had completed the same expedition a few years previously, was also challenging the record. Two weeks into her expedition however, she was forced her to give up due to health concerns.

And Searle is not the only Brit out on the Antarctic ice either. On day 57 of her solo, unsupported crossing of Antarctica, Preet Chandi also reached the South Pole.