Record-breaking Polar Preet wins Explorer of the Year Award

A British Army medical officer who completed a record-breaking polar expedition has been named Explorer of the Year by the Scientific Exploration Society.

Captain Harpreet Chandi, a physiotherapist from Derby – known as Polar Preet – broke two Guinness World Records, for the longest solo unsupported one-way polar ski journey for a woman, and the longest solo unsupported one-way polar ski journey overall.

After receiving the award, dubbed the 'Oscars of Exploration', she posted on Instagram: "Younger me, as a teenager, didn't really know what an explorer was and today I am so proud of myself.

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"I really hope that, to be honest, I'm relatable to people and, me achieving what I have, just shows you that you can come from anywhere and you can start from anywhere."

In January, Capt Chandi covered 922 miles across Antarctica in 70 days and 16 hours, beating the previous world record of 907 miles, set in 2015 by fellow soldier Henry Worsley, a retired lieutenant colonel.

During the trek, Capt Chandi pulled all her kit and supplies on a pulk (sled), weighing around 19 stone (120kg), while battling temperatures as low as minus 30C and wind speeds of up to 60mph.

In February, Polar Preet was awarded an MBE by the Princess Royal at the Windsor Castle investiture.