Arctic challenge for NI team

Members of the NI Everest team are set for Arctic trek

Former champion jockey Richard Dunwoody is among a team from Northern Ireland who will attempt to break the world record for the fastest unsupported trek to the North Pole.

The four-strong team aims to walk the 775km route in spring next year, using only the provisions and equipment they set out with - no dog teams or supply points are allowed.

The team includes a number of veterans from last year's attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Expedition leader Richard Dougan said he had the idea for this latest challenge while on the flight back from the Everest expedition.

HAZARDS FACED Dwindling resources Permanent daylight Drifting ice No supply points or dog teams

"We had stood on the top of the world, and I thought 'what would it be like to stand literally on the geographical top of the world'," he said.

However, Terence "Banjo" Bannon, 35, the team member who conquered the world's highest peak, has decided to stick with mountaineering.

Mr Dougan said the man from Newry in County Down had other priorities.

"Banjo's a great lad, but unfortunately he has his mind set on mountains so I couldn't persuade him to come to the North Pole," he said.

Although ex-jockey Dunwoody is a new addition to the team, he took part in last year's first Polar Race, a 350-mile Canadian Arctic challenge.

Although it's scenic, speaking from experience, it can get quite monotonous Richard Dunwoody Former champion jockey

"I believe this one is going to be a fair bit longer, but we got through that," he said.

He said such an endurance test would be a major change from the world of horseracing with "six rides in an afternoon, lasting about five minutes each".

The Northern Ireland-born jockey remains undaunted despite a narrow escape on his last trip, 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 team mate had to fire four shots over the bear's head before it turned and fled.

Despite this experience, he said the tedium of Arctic exploration was what he found most difficult to deal with.

"Although it's scenic, speaking from experience, it can get quite monotonous," he said.

The team expects the expedition to take about 85 days to complete.