Rescuer will 'dig deep' during Arctic ski race

Skiing 137 miles (220km) in sub-zero conditions through the Arctic Circle in the world's longest and oldest race of its kind does not appeal to everyone.

But one man, from Didcot in Oxfordshire, is gearing up to take on exactly that challenge later this year.

Matt Ireland will have 30 hours to complete the Nordenskiöldsloppet race across northern Sweden on 28 March, all in a bid to raise funds for the search and rescue team he volunteers for.

Talking to the BBC ahead of the race, the 36-year-old said he felt both "determined and intimidated" by the challenge.

"But I'll drag my body kicking and screaming," he said.

The Nordenskiöldsloppet follows a historic track from 1884, and takes place through the untouched wilderness of the Arctic Circle.

During the race, Ireland will have to deal with temperatures as low as -40C (104F) as he skis along the bare, undulating terrain.

"It's less sort of Alpine, European ski slopes and more hard work," he said.

"The physical element is one part, the mental element is the other part, so it will mostly be like frozen wilderness, mostly dark, mostly silent, mostly alone."

"So I'm going to need to dig deep."

Ireland is undertaking the expedition as a fundraiser for Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire, a search and rescue charity he volunteers for.

"We conduct systematic ground searches for missing people, employing specific methods and techniques developed to improve the likelihood of finding them," he said.

The role was "physically and emotionally tiring" but also "incredibly rewarding", he added.

Ireland has spent the past year gearing up for his long-distance ski challenge, running more than 1,240 miles (2,000km) in that time as part of his training.

"There are a lot of factors at play, some of which I've been able to prepare well for, and some less so," he said.

"When you're working in those cold conditions, the risks are real and there's always a chance it wont go in my favour.

"But I'm hoping to stay positive and, even when things get difficult, knowing that people are supporting, donating and cheering me on from home will help massively."

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