A Brent Knoll resident has set off on a trip to the Arctic Circle for a 300 mile skiing trek from the Russian border to the Swedish border.
Tony Gore, 60, is taking part in the world’s longest regularly-organised cross country ski trek over the course of this week.
Before setting off at the weekend, he spoke to Burnham-On-Sea.com about the challenge.
“I’m really looking forwards to doing the trek, which is undertaken each year by some 300-400 people,” he said.
“For those of you who think this might be for fit young people, you might be surprised that a very large number of the participants are over 60 and quite a few in their mid 70s!”
“Conditions range from above zero – the last thing a cross country skier wants – down to -30C for several days at a time.”
“I will be skiing distances of 60-90km most days – that is between one and a half and two marathons each day, on largely flat countryside, and any hills are ones you have to ski up before you can ski down.”
Tony only started the event at 55 and this will be his fifth trek, giving him a record participation by a Brit by quite some margin.
His target is another five times, because after ten successful completions he will get a master skier award, and he aims to be the first, and probably the only, Brit to ever achieve this.
