World Record-Breaking Ice Maidens Visit Glenlola Collegiate

Glenlola Collegiate was excited to welcome 2 soldiers from the first all-female team to trek across the Antarctic to speak to pupils about what they too could achieve.

Royal Signals Reservist Major Sandy Hennis and Honourable Artillery Company Reservist Lance Sergeant Sophie Montagne, were part of the Ice Maidens world record breaking team which skied coast to coast across Antarctica between November 20 and January 21. The 1000 mile journey in temperatures as low as -40C was expected to take between 75 and 90 days but the team finished in 62 days to clinch the record.

The pair gave a 40 minute presentation to over 100 pupils and answered questions about education, resilience, self-belief, facing fears and dealing with conflict.

Lance Sergeant Montagne commented,

“Rather than say we went there and did something really amazing, we wanted to come out and say this is what we did – but what can you do? We’re not going out there to show men what women can do, but to show women what they can do and that’s our message.”