1x1 - The Race Starts

March 4, 2007

Almost 100 years ago, Norwegian and the English arctic explorers undertook the world's most impossible journey and competed for exploration's last great geographical prize - the quest to reach the South Pole. For the first time in television history, this race will be recreated to discover whether modern man endure this trip as well. Robert Falcon Scott was, arguably, one of the greatest British explorers. In 1911, he led a British team on the ultimate adventure and challenge of the time: to reach the South Pole. They were soon joined by Roald Amundsen and his Norwegian team, and the race to be first to get to the South Pole began. By the spring of 1912, the race was over - Scott was dead and Amundsen was the victor. Blizzard: Race To The Pole brings history to life by re-creating Scott and Amundsen's epic journey to the South Pole. Two modern day teams of explorers have been set the challenge of travelling across a route identical in length to that covered by Scott and Amundsen and using the original resources available at the time. The journey is a staggering 2,500 km long in sub-zero conditions using only the equipment, clothing and food that were available in the original teams of the early 20th century. The members of this expedition will experience first hand, in terrifying detail, the chilling truth behind the race to the South Pole. This series effectively interweaves past and present. The story of the original conquest of the South Pole is recreated through archival material, interviews with historians, explorers and medical experts, whilst following the modern-day teams to see how they are coping with the equipment and conditions. It sheds light on the accusations that surround the two men's strategy, planning and leadership, that led to the final result in 1912.