Jockey confronts polar bear

Jockey confronts polar bear

The former jockey was close to the bear

Former champion jockey Richard Dunwoody had a narrow escape when he was confronted by a polar bear about twice his size.

The 10-stone former Grand National winner was metres away from the male bear, estimated to be 10ft tall weighing in at a tonne, as he took part in a race to the North Pole.

A member of the former jockey's team had to fire four shots over the bear's head before it turned and fled.

Dunwoody is among those taking part in the first Polar Race, a 350-mile Canadian Arctic challenge.

We must never forget that we are the intruders into the bear's environment

Race organiser Jock Wishart

Earlier in the day, race leaders Initial Style Explorers also came across what was believed to be the same bear, but managed to scare it off by banging ski sticks together above their heads.

Race organiser Jock Wishart, of Polar Adventures Ltd, said: "Both teams showed great presence of mind in dealing with what only can be described as a scary experience.

"They did exactly as they had been instructed in their training.

"We must never forget that we are the intruders into the bear's environment."

The two trailing teams, ViP3 and Extreme Steps, were informed of the bear's presence in an area known as Polar Bear's Pass on Bathurst Island.

Four teams of amateur adventurers set off earlier this month from Resolute Bay in Canada for the trek to the Magnetic North Pole.