Army's Polar Preet reveals why she kept latest Antarctic expedition a secret

World record-breaking adventurer Captain Harpreet Chandi, who is also known as "Polar Preet", has spoken about her most recent Antarctica expedition - and why she kept it a secret.

The British Army medical officer last month became the fastest woman to complete a solo, unsupported ski expedition to the South Pole after covering the 1,130km of Antarctic ice in 31 days, 13 hours and 19 minutes.

Capt Chandi's latest Antarctic adventure was her third in as many years, and she said keeping this expedition a secret meant there was less pressure.

• Polar Preet 'breaks world record' for longest, solo, unsupported, and unassisted polar expedition by a woman
• Polar Preet's a two-time record holder, Guinness World Records confirms
• Polar Preet: Meet the British Army officer taking on Antarctica

She explained to Forces News: "The last few years have been really intense. I've been doing my full-time job. Taking unpaid leave to do the expeditions and then coming back into a full-time job has been a lot.

"I didn't decide I was going to go until the summer, so it was a late decision to go. It was less intense and less pressure.

"However, not announcing meant it was harder to get sponsorship.

"I didn't actually fully cover this cost of sponsorship so I used everything I had to get there. I'm glad I did it this way around this time, but I'm not sure I'd do it again."

The officer, who is on a career break, is waiting for Guinness World Records to verify the record, which would be her third if it is confirmed.