Temperature: -20C
Weather: Blue Skies.

Last night Team QinetiQ camped 10km ahead of Missing Link, however Missing Link awoke early this morning and have made up a lot of ground during the day. Team QinetiQ still maintain the lead - with Missing Link within 1km. Both teams are still moving.

Due South and South Pole Flag are currently battling for 3rd place, closely followed by Danske Bank, who report they can see 2 teams in front of them and are hoping they will put up their tent soon so they can overtake during the night. Southern Lights have had a really good day, are feeling full of energy and looking forward to tomorrow.

Race Positions

1st 75.5km Team QinetiQ
2nd 74.9km Team Missing Link
3rd 65.2km Team South Pole Flag
4th 64.9 Team Due South
5th 63km Team Danske Bank
6th 41.4 Team Southern Lights

Temperature: -30C
Weather: Blue Skies.

Good weather continues on the South Pole Race. In a fantastic effort today Team Danske Bank have overtaken Due South for fourthplace. South Pole Flag have increased their hold on 3rd place, however report they will stop in 1 hour, with Danske Bank tired but determined and planning to continue for a further 4 hours - possibly enough time to take third place.

Temperature: -20C
Weather: Wind Chill -32C.

Danske Bank have caught up with South Pole Flag and are hot on their heels for 3rd place, both teams are on the move within sight of each other. Due South have had a good day and are feeling strong. QinetiQ maintain their lead, and are pushing a little bit more ahead of Norwegian team Missing Link day by day. Missing Link are feeling much better and intend to keep going for the next few hours into the night. The good weather continues, but it is getting colder.

Race Positions

1st 164km Team QinetiQ
2nd 158km Team Missing Link
3rd 143km Team South Pole Flag
4th 143km Team Danske Bank
5th 137km Team Due South
6th 093km Team Southern Lights

Temperature: -20.7C
Weather: Wind Chill - 27.7C.

Team South Pole Flag have covered the furthest distance today, a fantastic 43km. They are just staying ahead of Danske Bank who are staying a steady 2km behind them. Due South are making steady progress and enjoying the race day by day. QinetiQ remain in the lead and report they feel "held together with sticky back plastic" as they are suffering with blisters, Missing Link have closed the gap on them to 3km behind, but are equally experiencing sore feet. Both teams are continuing in good spirits - they realise that blisters are part and parcel of an endurance race as extreme as this. The good weather continues with blue skies and good visibility in beautiful Antarctica.

Race Positions

1st 203km Team Qinetiq
2nd 200km Team Missing Link
3rd 186km Team South Pole Flag
4th 184km Team Danske Bank
5th 174km Team Due South
6th 123km Team Southern Lights

Temperature: -20C
Weather: Wind Chill - 25C

Missing Link and QinetiQ are neck and neck! The Norwegians caught up with British team QinetiQ and they have been skiing together all day. However Missing Link have just put up their tent for a short rest and intend to start skiing again at 2am, while QinetiQ intend to ski until 2am and then stop for their rest - difficult when they are tired and the team they are in competition with are stopping to rest

Team Danske Bank have overtaken South Pole Flag to take third place! South Pole Flag had a later start this morning and have fallen behind slightly - Danske Bank are 5km ahead of them. Both teams intend to continue for the next 3 hours. Due South are making excellent progress, and are making ground towards 4th place. Southern Lights had a slow morning but this was followed by a fantastic afternoon and they are in high spirits.

Teams are beginning to decide on their tactics for reaching the checkpoint - watch for more news tomorrow.

Race Positions

1st 245km Team QinetiQ
2nd 245km Team Missing Link
3rd 222km Team Danske Bank
4th 217km Team South Pole Flag
5th 213km Team Due South
6th 149km Team Southern Lights

Temperature: -20C
Weather: Wind Chill - 25C

Missing Link take the lead! The Norwegian team are 3km ahead of QinetiQ with a clear lead for the first time since the beginning of the race. However they are planning to camp up now, whereas QinetiQ are continuing for the next several hours. Missing Link intend to start skiing again when QinetiQ go to bed - a psychological game of leap frog is forming!

Danske Bank remain in 3rd position, but South Pole Flag have gained some ground on them today closing the gap between the two teams from 5km to 2km. Due South are progressing steadily.

Every day competitors have to cover a minimum distance day so that they can complete the race. Southern Lights have made an absolutely fantastic effort so far but are not covering quite enough ground, so they are being moved forward over the next few days. They are in high spirits and looking forward to getting back on the trail.

The racers are now at 85 degrees. They will reach the South Pole in 10 - 20 days. Amundsen was at 85 degrees on November the 17th. He reached the South Pole on 27 days later on the 14th December.

Race Positions

1st 289km Team Missing Link
2nd 286km Team QinetiQ
3rd 257km Team Danske Bank
4th 255km Team South Pole Flag
5th 252km Team Due South
n/a CP Team Southern Lights

Temperature: -23.5C
Weather: Wind Chill - 32.5C

Missing Link increase their lead on QinetiQ. The two teams are within 50km of the checkpoint, and have been skirting around the edge of a crevasse field today. Both have been exercising caution and using their training to avoid any risks. Both teams are aiming to be at the checkpoint early tomorrow afternoon - which could mean a race to cross the checkpoint line! QinetiQ intend to ski half way, pitch camp to make hot food and fresh water and then continue; Missing Link intend to ski until they arrive. The next 24 hours will be a test of endurance - which team will be able to keep going at full strength for the longest?

Conditions today have been poor visibility - with low contrast and low cloud base. This makes it difficult to ski forward and balance as its difficult to distinguish the sky from the ground! This evening conditions are beginning to brighten and the blue sky is returning. Danske Bank remain ahead of South Pole Flag - who are holding a steady 3km behind them. Due South's Rachel, Hylton and Phil are making great progress. Tess and Pete are now at the checkpoint resting. They will continue their journey to the Pole tomorrow and are looking forward to setting off again.

Amundsen's journey was 870 statute miles to the South Pole. They covered an average of 15.5 miles per day with their dog teams. Team QinetiQ cover an average of 28 miles per day - but with much much lighter loads!

Race Positions

1st 333km Team Missing Link
2nd 326km Team QinetiQ
3rd 295km Team Danske Bank
4th 292km Team South Pole Flag
5th 289km Team Due South
n/a CP Team Southern Lights

Temperature: -23.5C
Weather: Wind Chill - 32.5C

Missing Link arrive first at the checkpoint! The two Norwegians made an incredible 90km push without sleep to arrive at the checkpoint in first place. They are tired but in good spirits and now enjoying a very well earned rest. QinetiQ arrived 4 1/2 hours after them, after a 40 hour push, and are now appreciating time off their feet which are sore and aching with blisters. The two teams chatted from inside to outside their tents.

Team Danske Bank remain in 3rd place, and hope to be at the check point tomorrow afternoon. South Pole Flag and Due South both predict to arrive late tomorrow

night - 4th place into the checkpoint may be a case of who can survive the longest on little sleep!

Race Positions

1st Team Missing Link
2nd Team QinetiQ
3rd 333km Team Danske Bank
4th 326km Team South Pole Flag
5th 322km Team Due South
n/a CP Team Southern Lights

Temperature: -23.5C
Weather: Wind Chill - 38.1C

Team Danske Bank arrive at Check Point in third position! The team came in looking bright and breezy and after reading their messages from home are now enjoying a long snooze. The team now have 24 hours enforced rest at the checkpoint. Team South Pole Flag is now 3km ahead of Due South, both teams expect to make the checkpoint at around midnight - in the race for fourth position.

QinetiQ and Missing Link have now both left the checkpoint and are continuing on their journey to the South Pole. Missing Link have covered an impressive 28km in 8 hours and have an 18km lead over QinetiQ.

Temperature: -25.5C
Weather: Wind Chill - 40.3C.

Teams South Pole Flag and Due South have arrived at the checkpoint! The two teams arrived within 30 minutes of each other.

The support team would like to make a special mention for Mark Pollock from team South Pole Flag. We are all astounded by his drive, motivation and determination skiing to the South Pole, with all of the difficulties of this extreme endurance race, Mark is skiing the race blind. He skied every meter to the check point, over all of the difficult terrain and sastrugi, with no sight, where several other competitors have given up and walked.

Inge Solheim is guiding the team, he comments "During 13 hour days its not easy to motivate yourself to do it. Mark is my purpose to wake in the morning and ski for 13 hours. What he is doing is so important for everyone as an example."

Team QinetiQ have narrowed the gap between themselves and the Norwegians to 15km from 18km. Missing Link maintain their lead and are in good spirits.

Race Positions

1st 453km Team Missing Link
2nd 437km Team Qinetiq
3rd 384km Team Danske Bank
4th CP Team South Pole Flag
5th CP Team Due South
6th 438km Team Southern Lights

Temperature: -25.5C
Weather: Wind Chill - 40.3C.

All teams have now left the checkpoint. South Pole Flag left 5 hours after Due South, but at the end of the day they are just in front of them in fourth place! It has been a long day for all - with poor visibility and low contrast. All are looking forward to brighter skies tomorrow!

Race Positions

1st 494km Team Missing Link
2nd 477km Team Qinetiq
3rd 427km Team Danske Bank
4th 414km Team South Pole Flag
5th 413km Team Due South
6th 451km Team Southern Lights

Temperature: -25.5C
Weather: Wind Chill - 40.3C.

Teams have been glad to enjoy a day of blue skies and sunshine in Antarctica Today. Missing link have increased their lead by another 4km to 20km in front of Team QinetiQ. Danske Bank remaining third with South Pole Flag slowly gaining ground in 4th position. Due South and Southern Lights have had good days.

Race Positions

1st 538km Team Missing Link
2nd 478km Team Qinetiq
3rd 465km Team Danske Bank
4th 448km Team South Pole Flag
5th 442km Team Due South
6th 471km Team Southern Lights

Temperature: -25.5C
Weather: Wind Chill - 40.3C.

It’s been a stormy day with strong winds, spindrift and cold conditions. All teams have made good progress, but are feeling a little tired and weary. Missing Link have a lead of 23km. QinetiQ are skiing strongly behind them in second position, and have skied the furthest today - 45km. Danske Bank remain in 3^rd but have found today tough, they plan to cover more distance tomorrow. Due South are in 4th position with South Pole Flag in 5th behind them. Pete and Tess are staying with the support crew for a few days to be moved forward a little further in order to complete the race.

At the time of writing conditions seem to be brightening - we are hoping for blue skies tomorrow!

Race Positions

1st 582km Team Missing Link
2nd 559km Team Qinetiq
3rd 504km Team Danske Bank
4th 476km Team Due South (they have not travelled as far as south pole flag but they are closer to the pole than south pole flag)
5th 483km Team South Pole Flag
6th 471km Team Southern Lights

Temperature: -25.5C
Weather: Wind Chill - 40.3C.

Missing Link have extended their lead to 33km ahead of QinetiQ. QinetiQ report they stopped early last night as they were exhausted, but they are now planning to continue into the night. Tess and Pete are safe and well and enjoying travelling with the support team.

Danske Bank have had a better day and are now 27km ahead of Team Due South who are in 4th place. Due South and South Pole Flag have made good ground. The weather has improved but we are all still hoping for sunny skies!

Amundsen's team sat at the Pole on December 16th and took temperature readings every hour for 24 hours.

Race Positions

1st 626km Team Missing Link
2nd 593km Team Qinetiq
3rd 537km Team Danske Bank
4th 510km Team Due South (they have not travelled as far as south pole flag but they are closer to the pole than south pole flag)
5th 516km Team South Pole Flag
6th 471km Team Southern Lights

Missing Link increase their lead to 37km! Stian and Rune have had a huge day and covered 49km! QinetiQ have also had a good day with 46km under their belts.

Danske Bank hit 42km today - it looks like the good weather is spurring teams on - the blue skies have returned. South Pole Flag covered 38km with Due South skiing 36km and planning to ski for another 4 hours. Tess and Pete are feeling fine and will be on the move again in a few days time.

Race Positions

1st 675km Team Missing Link
2nd 638km Team Qinetiq
3rd 579km Team Danske Bank
4th 546km Team Due South (they have not travelled as far as south pole flag but they are closer to the pole than south pole flag)
5th 555km Team South Pole Flag
6th n/a Team Southern Lights

Missing Link are expected at the South Pole tomorrow! The team have skied an outstanding day, and are planning to stop for fuel and to melt more water and then head on to the Pole to arrive tomorrow, to win the South Pole race. QinetiQ have had a really good day covering 45km.

Team Danske Bank, Due South and South Pole Flag are making excellent progress. Southern Lights set off again today and will make the Pole in a few days time.

Race Positions

1st 721km Team Missing Link
2nd 682km Team Qinetiq
3rd 618km Team Danske Bank
4th 578km Team Due South (they have not travelled as far as south pole flag but they are closer to the pole than south pole flag)
5th 590km Team South Pole Flag
6th n/a Team Southern Lights

Team Missing Link have won the South Pole Race. The Norwegians crossed the line and arrived at the Geographic South Pole at 7pm today, completing the race 770km in 17 days and 11 hours. Watching the team cross was a historic and momentous occasion, they linked arms held high in the air as they walked to the Pole and planted a Norwegian flag. They stopped at the Pole and talked about their tremendous journey, the difficulties they have faced and their joy and pride at arriving at the Pole. The Norwegians have once again won the race to the South Pole, the first since Scott and Amundsen. Missing Link wanted to commend QinetiQ for making it a fantastic race. After all their hard work Missing Link will now get to spend some time at the Pole, resting, relaxing, eating and enjoying being at the Top of the Bottom of the World.

Team QinetiQ have had a really good day, are feeling in high spirits and expect to arrive at the Pole early tomorrow afternoon. Due South, Danske Bank, South Pole Flag and Southern Lights are all one day closer to the Pole – the air at the South Pole is crackling with excitement for their arrival.

Race Positions

1st South Pole: Team Missing Link
2nd 719km Team Qinetiq
3rd 653km Team Danske Bank
4th 608km Team Due South (they have not travelled as far as south pole flag but they are closer to the pole than south pole flag)
5th 625km Team South Pole Flag
6th n/a Team Southern Lights

Team QinetiQ finish the South Pole Race in second position! The team arrived this afternoon and are delighted to be at the Geographic South Pole. After a 70km push into the Pole the team exhausted, with blisters and little bits of frost nip, but are all in good spirits and looking forward to some R and R at the South Pole! Missing Link were at the Pole to shake their hand for completing such a fantastic journey. Congratulations to all of the team.

Due South have had a difficult couple of days as Phil and Rachel have had flu, but they have still been on their skis covering the distance and think they will be fit and well again by tomorrow. South Pole Flag have had a good day covering 35km. Danske Bank expect to be arriving at the Pole on the morning of the 24th. Tess and Pete, who have been moved forward by the support team, will be arriving at the Pole tomorrow afternoon, and can't wait to touch the Geographic South Pole.

Race Positions

1st South Pole: Team Missing Link
2nd South Pole: Team Qinetiq
3rd 688km Team Danske Bank
4th 640km Team Due South (they have not travelled as far as south pole flag but they are closer to the pole than south pole flag)
5th 660km Team South Pole Flag
6th n/a Team Southern Lights

Rachel and Phil from Due South are feeling much better and hope to be at the Pole late on Sunday night. South Pole Flag have had a slower day, but hope to make the Pole on Monday and can't wait. Danske Bank predict they will arrive at midday tomorrow - this will make them third place in the South Pole Race!

Race Positions

1st South Pole: Team Missing Link
2nd South Pole: Team Qinetiq
3rd 732km Team Danske Bank
4th 673km Team Due South (they have not travelled as far as south pole flag but they are closer to the pole than south pole flag)
5th 682km Team South Pole Flag
6th South Pole Team Southern Lights

Team Danske Bank reach the pole, third place in the South Pole Race! They arrived today at 17:00, 20 days and 9 hours after departing from the Start Line. Congratulations to the team on such an amazing accomplishment. Teams Southern Lights, QinetiQ and Missing Link were all standing at the pole cheering them on over the finish line. They helped them take their pulks back, gave them hot drinks and sweet treats, and put up their tents for them for a good night's rest. All are well, enjoying finally resting and not having to ski tomorrow, they say thank you so much to friends and family for the messages.

Due South have enjoyed a lazy morning with a lie in, and are continuing a bit further before their last night of sleep before the pole! They expect to arrive in the early hours of Monday morning. Mark, Inge and Simon have had a good day of skiing, and hope to be at the Pole late on Monday.

Race Positions

1st South Pole: Team Missing Link
2nd South Pole: Team Qinetiq
3rd South Pole: Team Danske Bank
4th 696km Team Due South (they have not travelled as far as south pole flag but they are closer to the pole than south pole flag)
5th 705km Team South Pole Flag
6th South Pole Team Southern Lights

Teams Due South and South Pole Flag are one day from the Pole! Due South are currently planning to stop for some dinner then ski on through the night, if they do this they predict to arrive 4-5 hours earlier than South Pole Flag, however they may stop and sleep - if they do South Pole Flag, who intend to ski till they reach the Pole, may catch them and overtake at the last moment to make 4th place in the race!

Weather conditions continue to deteriorate – poor visibility, contrast, winds, spindrift and cold. Yesterday the temperature dropped to -46C with windchill: our coldest temperature yet.

Race Positions

1st South Pole: Team Missing Link
2nd South Pole: Team Qinetiq
3rd South Pole: Team Danske Bank
4th 40km to go - Team Due South (they have not travelled as far as south pole flag but they are closer to the pole than south pole flag)
5th 47km to go - Team South Pole Flag
6th South Pole Team Southern Lights

Teams Due South and South Pole Flag are one day from the Pole! Due South are currently planning to stop for some dinner then ski on through the night, if they do this they predict to arrive 4-5 hours earlier than South Pole Flag, however they may stop and sleep - if they do South Pole Flag, who intend to ski till they reach the Pole, may catch them and overtake at the last moment to make 4th place in the race!

Weather conditions continue to deteriorate – poor visibility, contrast, winds, spindrift and cold. Yesterday the temperature dropped to -46C with windchill: our coldest temperature yet.

Race Positions

1st South Pole: Team Missing Link
2nd South Pole: Team Qinetiq
3rd South Pole: Team Danske Bank
4th 40km to go - Team Due South (they have not travelled as far as south pole flag but they are closer to the pole than south pole flag)
5th 47km to go - Team South Pole Flag
6th South Pole Team Southern Lights

Team South Pole Flag have made it to the Pole! Mark is now the first blind man to ski to the South Pole - an incredible achievement. Simon has faithfully helped him the whole way and never given up, Inge has been their guide on this amazing journey. Mark took it in his stride as he skied up to the Pole, and after over 70km skiing non-stop was joking and laughing at the Pole! Simon has seen the Doctor about his frostbitten fingers and also visited the US Base medical center, he is safe and well and recovering already.

The support staff would like to congratulate all of the competitors on their amazing achievement in completing this race. It has taken enormous courage, strength and determination to ski almost 800km to the Geographic South Pole, in Antarctica the driest, highest, coldest desert in the world - one of the most extreme environments on the planet.

Weather conditions at the Pole are poor - high winds, low visibility and lots of spindrift. Teams Danske Bank, Southern Light, Due South and South Pole Flag, are warm in their tents, waiting for a plane to take them to Novo, for the moment conditions prevent this.

Teams South Pole Flag and Due South enjoyed a tour of the US Scott-Amundsen Station today, and a very welcome glass of orange juice and a pastry. Many thanks to the station for all of their kindness and good will.

Finishing Times

Missing Link 19:03, 21st January - 17 days 8 hours 58 minutes
QinetiQ 15:15, 22nd January - 18 days 5 hours 10 minutes
Danske Bank 17:00, 24th January - 20 days 6 hours 55 minutes
Due South 16:10, 26th January - 22 days 6 hours 5 minutes
South Pole Flag 22:09, January - 22 days 12 hours 4 minutes