meettheteam The first time we all met was on the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race 07/08, as we raced each other around the globe. Now we’ve come together as one team to tackle our biggest challenge yet…
We have set ourselves the ultimate endurance challenge… …to achieve a world first. In 2012/13 we will be tackling two extreme polar endurance challenges to both the North and South Pole, to become the first people ever to race to all four corners of the earth.
“We have come to understand how significant the poles are. Whatever happens here effects EVERY ONE of us, no matter where we live on the planet.” Sir David Attenborough, Frozen Planet
However, Mel’s appetite for the extreme had only got bigger, leading her on to compete in the 2010 WoodVale Atlantic Rowing Race. She came an impressive 16th out of the 30 crews, despite being in the only female pair to enter this long and grueling race. Mel began planning her next challenge before she had even returned from the rowing race finish. She is more than ready to take on the Poles, but is aware these will be her toughest challenges to date.
Firefighter Neil has never been one to refuse a challenge – whether that’s running the London Marathon, climbing Kilimanjaro, or trekking to Everest Base Camp. In September 2007, he joined the Durban Clipper as part of the crew for the eleven month long Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 07/08. Having now conquered the earth’s circumference, the chance to also reach to its top and bottom was an opportunity Neil simply couldn’t refuse…
“ Our team already has a proven track record in extreme endurance races. We have each conquered some of the world’s toughest challenges and we know that we possess the courage, strength and determination to overcome the most extreme of conditions.”
Lisa Pover
Neil Withers
Mel King
Mel grew up in Henley-on-Thames and studied Philosophy and Psychology at Bristol University, before working in marketing for an investment broker for 14 years. In 2007 she gave up the “sensible” career to fulfill a long-term dream to race around the globe in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 07/08 onboard Nova Scotia. When she got back Mel knew she couldn’t return to the desk job, so qualified as a commercially endorsed skipper.
Growing up in Liverpool’s most deprived area, Lisa’s incredible passion, determination and can do attitude shone through from an early age. At 13, her hunger for adventure was already evident as she joined the Army Cadet Force, taking on any challenge where possible. This same hunger saw her park up her taxi and apply for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 07/08, after seeing an advert in her local paper for ‘the challenge of a lifetime’ – despite having never sailed before! Returning from circumnavigating onboard Liverpool 08, Lisa became a commercially endorsed yachtmaster and set up the Lisa Pover Charitable Trust to inspire and engage those from disadvantaged backgrounds to change their lives by offering them ‘life changing’ experiences, and opportunities to sail into new horizons. The Trust is now in the process of setting up a Liverpool Sailing Academy, and Lisa is eager to take on her next challenge and achieve a lifelong goal.
www.racetothepoles.com
ournorthpolechallenge ‘February 2012 – May 2012’
We will be joining the Ice Warrior project, aiming to achieve a World First by walking 800 miles from the edge to the very centre of the Arctic Ocean, known as the Arctic Pole or the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility. We will also ski to the Magnetic North Pole on the way. This expedition is a massive endeavour to reach the ‘Unconquered Everest’ of the Polar Regions and to conduct an essential transect of the Arctic Ocean. The expedition is planned to take about 80 days.
Science
Challenge
Ice Warrior – QUEST FOR THE INACCESSIBLE POLE EXPEDITION Modern-day Exploration: Ordinary People Taking the Pulse of the Planet.
We will be gathering data to scientifically benchmark the condition of the Arctic Ocean and provide, in the words of leading scientists, “crucial data” in helping to understand what is happening to our Polar Regions. We will convey the story to audiences around the globe and raise awareness of the Arctic Ocean as a climate change indicator.
‘Modern-day exploration which is genuine pioneering, both purposeful and worthwhile’
Be part of the adventure
When February 2012 – May 2012 How Cross country skis pulling a Qajaq, a specially designed cross between a sledge and a canoe. Cost £150,000 (£50,000 per individual) Our two extreme Polar challenges are available to sponsor individually, or as one overall package. Alternatively, we can design a unique sponsorship package specifically for you. http://issuu.com/lisapover/docs/ project_sponsorship For further information: mel@racetothepoles.com Mel: 07876 502951 neil@racetothepoles.com Neil: 07973 840546 lisa@racetothepoles.com Lisa: 07595 246315
www.racetothepoles.com
whysponsorus? ournorthpolechallenge
Ice Warrior – QUEST FOR THE INACCESSIBLE POLE EXPEDITION This is a recognised World First with International backing and an established media following including BBC Tri media coverage. It has a commitment to telling our story via YouTube updates and is currently in talks with 12 companies to produce a documentary.
oursouthpolerace
Nowhere is colder or more hostile to live, this is the world’s last true wilderness.
Brand Exposure
Both challenges are international events which will receive global media attention and coverage. As our team sponsor you will receive a wide range of opportunities for high profile brand exposure, including, but not exhaustive: • Branding on team clothing and equipment • Extensive media exposure in international, national and regional press, radio and magazines including updates on youtube. Ice Warrior has a tri-media agreement with the BBC, with every mention of the North Pole reaching an audience 125 million people, per hit. With a great potential ratio on ROI. • Join the team and HRH Princess Anne at the Ice Warrior leaving reception
“ We want people to finish the race by saying “That is the best thing I have done with my life.” I hope they will add, “So far”, because then I KNOW we have truly widened their horizons.” Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE RD, Team Race Patron, Clipper Ventures Chairman
• Ice Warrior has a selection of highly creative marketing platforms for sponsors and partners, including an “Ice Station” in central London where the public can link nearly live with the expedition http://issuu.com/lisapover/docs/ the_london_ice_station_2012 • Unique media opportunities such as photos of the team with your branded flag at the Poles • Brand placement at all team events and on all team promotional material, including the official team website and social media sites • The team are also available to give talks or keynote speeches We want to be as flexible as possible to make sure we achieve your corporate and CSR objectives, making sure we explore all opportunities. A meeting to develop your sponsorship is of extreme importance to us.
www.racetothepoles.com
pressmediatelevision
ournorthpolechallenge
Ice Warrior – QUEST FOR THE INACCESSIBLE POLE EXPEDITION Modern-day Exploration: Ordinary People Taking the Pulse of the Planet, February 2012 – May 2012’ The Ice Warrior project counts Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the Royal Geographic Society and HRH Princess Anne amongst its supporters, plus it has partners from all over the globe. It has received huge media interest and coverage since it began in 2001. In 2006, during a previous expedition, they achieved the equivalent of £2.2 million worth of TV news coverage in just 17 days, from the UK alone. It was then syndicated across the world. The 2012 expedition has received international recognition, both as a World First challenge and for the crucial data that we will be collecting. http://issuu.com/lisapover/docs/project_sponsorship
racetothesouthpole – run by Extreme World Races
Extreme World Races are the leading experts in Polar and adventure racing. They have been the driving force behind some of the most successful BBC productions of the last decade, including ‘The Fujitsu Polar Challenge’ series in 2004, the now critically acclaimed ‘Top Gear Polar Challenge’ and ‘On Thin Ice’ featuring television presenter Ben Fogle and Olympic Gold Medalist James Cracknell. The same team have also been behind the ‘Centenary Race to the South Pole’ which recently received global media attention following HRH Prince William of Wales’ public backing of the British team, as they aim to raise money for Centrepoint. He is patron of the charity. www.extremeworldraces.com
www.racetothepoles.com
www.racetothepoles.com
racetothesouthpole
The race is a 740km slog through the relentless Antarctic elements across one of the highest, driest and most desolate deserts on the planet. Blinding snow storms, multiple crevasses, winds of up to 80mph, snow bridges, climbing to over 3000m above sea level and temperatures as low as -50C are just some of the challenges we’ll encounter during our journey.
‘the toughest endurance race on the planet’
Be part of the adventure
In December 2013, we’ll be tackling the fourth and final corner of our world record making challenge by competing in the Race to the South Pole.
Challenge
Background
‘December 2013 – February 2014’
When December 2013 – February 2014 How Cross country skis Cost £180,000 (£60,000 per individual) Our two extreme challenges are available to sponsor individually, or as one overall package. Alternatively, we can design a unique sponsorship package specifically for you. For further information: mel@racetothepoles.com Mel: 07876 502951 neil@racetothepoles.com Neil: 07973 840546 lisa@racetothepoles.com Lisa: 07595 246315
www.racetothepoles.com
corporatesocialresponsibility We would like any funds raised above and beyond our basic race costs to be donated to a charity of your choice. We are passionate about supporting great causes, and both the challenges offer a unique platform for increasing awareness and raising funds for a charitable organisation of your choice, ensuring we achieve your CSR objectives.
The state of the Arctic Ocean is arguably one of the most important unfolding stories in the world’s media. By supporting our North Pole challenge your brand can be clearly associated with a ground breaking endeavour to benchmark its current condition and monitor climate change going forward. This is a truly global project and the data we collect will be used worldwide for years to come. It has the backing of the Royal Geographic Society, Sir Ranulph Fiennes and HRH Princess Anne to name but a few. The challenges have a zero carbon footprint. Through a combined PR and fund raising approach, to a reach of millions, we are committed to promoting both your sustainability and CSR initiatives.
‘making a genuine and very real difference to the world we live in’
www.racetothepoles.com
If you would like to find out more about getting involved in our challenges, we would love to talk with you.
mel@racetothepoles.com Mel: 07876 502951 neil@racetothepoles.com Neil: 07973 840546 lisa@racetothepoles.com Lisa: 07595 246315 www.racetothepoles.com www.facebook.com/racetothepoles @racetothepoles