Meet the 19-year-old boy who set new world record | Skiing from Antarctica to South Pole in 18 DAYS!

Meet the new star: the 19-year-old student who has set a new world
record for the fastest journey; from the coast of Antarctica to the
South Pole.
Mirror reports:
Old Etonian Parker Liautaud is the youngest man to have skied to the
South Pole, having completed the expedition in 18 days.
The teenage environmental campaigner has already been on three
expeditions to the North Pole, the first when he was just 15.
He said he set off for the 349 mile (561km) trek on December 3 with
two main goals: “The first was to undertake scientific research and
collect data samples.
“And the second was to reignite the dialogue on climate change by
creating a story that people can engage with and be a part of.”
After reaching the South Pole on Christmas Eve, Mr Liautaud said:
“The whole journey is really a mental one, managing uncertainty and
trying to figure out how to manage risk.
“It is really a big relief to know that we have done it.”
The previous coast-to-Pole speed record was held by Christian Eide,
from Norway, who made the trip in 24 days.
Mr Liautaud said the most challenging part of the South Pole
expedition, which he undertook with his companion Doug Stoup, was
the “mental game” he had to play.
He said: “It was difficult to really not see the expedition as one big
countdown to the South Pole.
“It was important to break it up in to manageable chunks. That is
really the only way to get through – take it milestone by milestone. I
am very lucky to have had the opportunity to do the expedition. I feel
fantastic. It could have gone either way.”
On his way to the South Pole, Mr Liautaud stopped to collect snow
samples and deployed a lightweight weather station to measure and
transmit climate data.
He had attempted to be the youngest person to reach the North Pole
when he was 15, but his team had to evacuate just 15 miles from
the end of their trip.
He completed an expedition to the North Pole a year later.
Mr Liautaud said he hoped to spend Christmas Day asleep, adding: “I
have lost around 20lbs and I’ve only eaten nuts and dried food for
the last month.
“I am really looking forward to having my first proper meal.
“I know it will be the best feeling waking up on Christmas Day
knowing I don’t have to walk another 17 miles.”