The record-breaking British explorer Preet Chandi, renowned for her historic solo trek to the South Pole, is now setting her sights on a new frontier: the North Pole.
Nicknamed "Polar Preet," the 36-year-old Derby native has undertaken three solo expeditions to Antarctica, earning four Guinness World Records and receiving praise from the Princess of Wales for her “incredible” achievements.
Chandi first reached the South Pole in January 2022, covering 702 miles in 40 days and becoming the first woman of colour to complete a solo expedition to Antarctica. A year later, she shattered the record for the longest solo unsupported polar ski journey, skiing up to 15 hours a day on as little as five hours of sleep. Dragging 120kg (19 stone) of kit and supplies, she braved 60mph winds and temperatures as low as -30°C, completing 922 miles in 70 days—surpassing the previous record of 907 miles set by retired Lieutenant Colonel Henry Worsley in 2015.
Now, Chandi is training to become the first woman to travel solo and unsupported to the North Pole. Her journey, starting from Canada, will involve navigating treacherous sea ice, crossing open water, scaling rough ice, and enduring temperatures as low as -50°C. “Currently, no female has travelled solo to the North Pole,” Chandi shared on her fundraising page. “There’s a slim chance I’ll make it, but wouldn’t it be incredible if I did?”
The physiotherapist and former British Army medical officer, who served for 16 years and rose to the rank of captain, recalled how her “proud and supportive” Indian family initially misunderstood her ambitions. “Some thought I was talking about Southall, not the South Pole,” she joked.
After receiving her MBE in 2023, Chandi remarked, “Wherever we start from, we can achieve anything.” During a visit to Landau Forte College in Derby, the Princess of Wales lauded Chandi’s achievements, saying: “It’s incredible what you’ve done, being on your own … As humans, we’re meant to connect, and being by yourself that long is so challenging.”
Chandi plans to begin her North Pole trek in March, weather permitting. “When I reached the South Pole for the first time, I wrote: ‘I don’t want to just break the glass ceiling; I want to smash it into a million pieces,’” she shared on her GoFundMe page. “I’ve been told ‘no’ so many times, called stubborn or rebellious for wanting to push boundaries. But I want to show others that no barrier is too small to overcome.”
Her journey into endurance challenges began with a 50-mile ultra-marathon in the Peak District, sparking her passion for adventure. She later took unpaid leave from the Army to complete her Antarctic expeditions and is currently on a career break. During her service, she deployed to Nepal, Kenya, and South Sudan, where she organised a 30-hour endurance event, completing the full challenge while others joined for shorter durations.
Reflecting on her journey, Chandi said: “Anything ambitious can feel out of reach at first. I’m still amazed at how far I’ve come. If a Punjabi girl from Derby can make it to Antarctica, you can achieve anything.”
