proudly supports Matt McFadyen Kennards Hire Antarctic Expedition 2004 Prior to departure at the CYCA, Sydney For many of us, a week in some exotic location would be a great tonic. Some of us may choose a deserted tropical island or perhaps a famous landmark or city – how many of us would choose the windiest place on earth, Commonwealth Bay in Antarctica? Tony Mowbray and a crew of four other like minded Australians are setting sail for Commonwealth Bay in December 2003 aiming to arrive in Antarctica just in time for a New Years Eve party like no other. Whilst at Commonwealth Bay, they will explore Cape Dennison and Boat Harbour, all in the shadows of Mawson's Hut, the national treasure and monument to the amazing survival skills and courage of that great Australian explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson. But this isn't all about history and adventure. This will be a test full of unique dangers and calls on all the skill, courage and teamwork that this crew can muster. Travelling south from Hobart these men will face all the hostile seas and furious winds the Southern Ocean can offer – but if it was easy, why do it? When they arrive in the Antarctic continent they will have to negotiate pack ice, icebergs and those freezing conditions ... did we mention that it will never get above zero and with wind chill could get down to –35? The boys during survival training The crew are travelling on "Solo Globe Challenger", Tony's Cole 43 that survived a ferocious knockdown and demasting during the '98 Sydney to Hobart, was rebuilt and took him around the world in Australian record time in 2000/2001 and then took him and his Hobart crew back to finish the '98 Hobart that nearly claimed their lives, when it was back to Bass Straight in 2001. Follow Tony, his crew and Solo Globe Challenger as they conquer the "Kennards Hire Antarctic Expedition 2004". Join the mailing list Media Release Mowbray appears on Today - Nine Network after 8.30am Thursday January 22, 2004 Set your VCRS!! This may well be the last update from me for this adventure so a big thank you to all of you who have shown an interest in what we put out from the bunker whilst the balding chubby bloke from Belmont is sailing around as if he owns planet earth. All of your comments will make it to Tony as you wrote them (whilst he was invading Antarctica) in the next few days and as he sets off to Mexico to speak professionally to one of the worlds largest magazine publishers, his laptop will get a work out sending you all replies. We work hard in here to ensure you get Tony's words as soon as we can but on two occasions this trip, due to a couple of health crises, we faced some minor delays - sorry for this. There have been some other events we thought it best not to publish, like the one where the RSPCA Antarctic Division are treating a number of penguins with psychotic shock therapy after a crew bonding session went wrong near Mawson's Hut. You might not realise that one crew member in particular has a major frostbite problem which has earnt him the nickname "icy pole" - we thought it best to edit this story from Mr Mowbray's copy. I could go on but let me just say again that many of us land loving creatures would never chose to introduce the level of risk to our lives that would enable us to experience three or four days at Mawsons Hut, fighting off killer penguins and having the chance to say ... "been there done that". To Tony and the crew - thanks for having the spirit and thanks for letting us be there with you. If you have missed any of our update please take a sticky beek through the archived update list below. Until next time, (if there is a next time???), stay healthy. For more information and interviews - Luke Grant (0404) 495 559 Latest Update Monday January 19, 2004 (5.00pm) Position 44 13S, 147 12E 43 nautical miles to D'Entrecasteaux Channel between Tasmania and Sth Bruny Island 40 nautical miles to Hobart It is just coming light, you know that magical quiet time, that first part of the dawning of a new day, when it seems for a moment that you are the only person on the planet. It won't be long and I will see the outline of the craggy peaks of South Eastern Tassie. Land, the first for 11 days. The rest of the crew are asleep and I have the boat all to myself, sailing on a gentle breeze on a gentle ocean. I am here standing at the hatch looking out without having to brace myself or grimace or fight like hell just to stand up, mug of warm tea in hand, rugged up just nicely to ward off the slight nip in the air. I see the blue on the eastern horizon, mixed with the reflections of the bright oranges, reds and pinks of the yet to be seen sun. A sliver of a crescent shaped moon sits overhead as a lone Albatross circles endlessly. I have that at peace feeling, that feeling of self satisfaction, that feeling of inner wellbeing, that feeling of reward. THIS is why I do it! I am happy and content and I hope you are as well. See you soon, Tony To read all about what the boys have been up to so far, view any of the archived updates by choosing from the list below. Please choose an update ... Media Release 4 Media Release 3 19 January, 2004 (5.00pm) 19 January, 2004 (12.58pm) 19 January, 2004 (10.41am) 19 January, 2004 (7.04am) Media Release 2 17 January, 2004 (10.39am) 14 January, 2004 (11.18pm) 14 January, 2004 (10.48pm) 14 January, 2004 (5.30pm) 13 January, 2004 (12.50pm) 10 January, 2004 (8.30am) 8 January, 2004 (4.30pm) 7 January, 2004 (8.00am) 6 January, 2004 (8.00pm) 6 January, 2004 (8.30am) 5 January, 2004 (10.00pm) 5 January, 2004 (6.30pm) 5 January, 2004 (4.000pm) 4 January, 2004 (2.30pm) 3 January, 2004 (7.34pm) 1 January, 2004 (9.00am) 31 December, 2003 (4.00am) 30 December, 2003 (4.00pm) 30 December, 2003 (2.20am) 29 December, 2003 (7.30am) 28 December, 2003 (1.35pm) 27 December, 2003 (12.00pm) 26 December, 2003 (9.00am) 24 December, 2003 (11.15am) 23 December, 2003 (10.20pm) 23 December, 2003 (3.50am) 21 December, 2003 (5.30pm) 19 December, 2003 (1.00pm) 18 December, 2003 (10.30am) 12 December, 2003 (9.30am) 10 December, 2003 (12.30pm) 9 December, 2003 (4.00pm) 9 December, 2003 (8.00am) 8 December, 2003 (9.10am) 4 December, 2003 (8.30pm) Media Release 1 2 December, 2003 (8.00am) 26 November, 2003 (4.00am) 22 November, 2003 (4.00pm) 18 November, 2003 (8.27am) 11 November, 2003 (5.00pm)