Blue Peter’s Helen Skelton cycles to South Pole

We’re used to Blue Peter presenters trying out anything from flipping pancakes to parachuting out of planes, but adventure-addict Helen Skelton has taken it a step further after an 18-day trek to the South Pole.

The 29-year-old completed the 500 mile journey for Sport Relief on a combination of skis, kite skis and even an ice bike. She also managed to set the record for the fastest 100km kite ski – in seven hours 28 minutes.

Explorer Ranulph Fiennes admitted to laughing when Helen told him she was going to be the first person to cycle part of the journey to the South Pole, but told the BBC “ through pure grit and determination she has got there and shown that, yes, you can use a bike to reach the pole. Her incredible efforts are a great example of willpower.”

Along with completing 329 miles on kite ski, 103 by bike and 68 on cross-country ski, Skelton also pulled a 13 stone sledge of supplies behind her and only changed her underwear once. “My body hurts in so many places,” said Helen, “ mentally I’m exhausted and I’ve only washed once in the last 30 days, so to be finally standing on the South Pole feels incredible.”

Skelton’s no stranger to extraordinary adventures: she’s also kayaked her way down the Amazon and tight-roped across Battersea Power Station so OAG can’t help but wondr what will be next for the Blue Peter Presenter…

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