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 Friday, 3 January, 2003, 17:42 GMT
Kite men plot second pole attempt
Ski-buggy on trial in Switzerland
The first attempt failed through lack of wind
A man from Greater Manchester whose kite-powered attempt to cross the Antarctic failed might make a second attempt.

Brian Cunningham's wife has said her husband, who aborted the world record attempt on New Year's Day, is considering trying again.

Mr Cunningham, 59, from Bolton, and Jamie Young, 50, from the Republic of Ireland, had hoped to complete the 650-mile (1,000 km) journey in less than 10 days.

However, the lack of wind left the pair stranded at the South Pole unable to move their kite-powered ski buggies.

Jamie and Bryan (right)
Both men are in their 50s
Mr Cunningham's wife Christine said he would like to make the attempt again.

She said: "I'm sure he (Brian) would love to try again, because he and Jamie believe very strongly in the idea."

Mrs Cunningham said the pair have had "tremendous support" from across the world in the bid.

"The idea is a good one - but it will be the financial restraints that will probably be what stops them, if anything," she said.

'Unusually calm'

Mr Cunningham, who spoke from the South Pole on Thursday, said the failed bid was hugely disappointing.

"When we got here we found it has been an unusually calm year and so we have been waiting patiently for the wind and not getting it," he said.

The men were attempting to cross the remote snowy landscapes in ski-buggies that are capable of speeds in excess of 50 mph (80 kilometres per hour).

Designed by Formula One racing engineer, Kieron Bradley, the buggies would cross the ice six times faster than conventional sledges, in the right weather conditions.


Click here to go to Manchester
BBC science correspondent Christine McGourty reports from Antarctica


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21 Nov 02 | England
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