Rosie Stancer
Biography
A diminutive 5'3" and a mother, 47 year old Rosie Stancer is not built in the image of Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen.
Memorably described by one journalist as "a cross between Tinkerbell and the Terminator," Rosie's appearance belies the inner strength that has so successfully propelled her to previous polar success. Her achievements are testimony to the fact that dreams can be realised through skill, determination and courage.
In March 2007 Rosie Stancer attempted to become the first woman in the world to walk solo to the North Pole. Rosie's expedition lasted for over 80 days and she was less than 90 miles from the pole when she gracefully subjugated her goal to ensure the safety of her pilots. If she had pressed on to 90 degrees north, she would be asking them to land in an extremely precarious situation. During the expedition Rosie battled some of the worst conditions in a decade experiencing temperatures from as low as -55C to dangerously warm levels of -2C, repeated storms and shifting ice. She also found herself encountering miles of never ending ice rubble and more dangerously, larger and more frequent open water leads. Rosie did however enter the record books by reaching the furthest North by a woman solo.
During the Snickers South Pole Solo Expedition in 2003/2004, Rosie skied solo and without resupply hauling a sledge more than twice her body weight for over 1000 km to the South Pole. Rosie reached the Pole in 43 days 23 hours, smashing all previous years' speed records by 7 days. Polar history plays its part in Rosie's family background. Rosie's grandfather, the Earl Granville, had ambitions to explore the Antarctic and was selected for Captain Robert Falcon Scott's 1911-12 expedition. However, the 6'4" naval officer was wired only weeks before departure and informed that he was too tall for the expedition tents. Furthermore, he was told, his large frame would require extra rations. Less than five years later, Rosie's grandfather- in-law, Sir James Wordie, embarked on the great 1914-1917 TransAntarctic Expedition led by Sir Ernest Shackleton. Rosie is a director for the charity Special Olympics GB, which seeks to provide sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-style events for people with learning disabilities. The charity provides continuing opportunities for people to develop their physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of skills, gifts and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Previous Expeditions.jpg)
- 2007 - Mars North Pole Solo
Royal Patron HRH The Prince of Wales in aid of Special Olympics GB - 2003/2004 - Snickers South Pole Solo
Royal Patron HRH The Prince of Wales in aid of Special Olympics GB - 1999/2000 - M&G ISA South Pole Expedition
Royal Patron HRH The Prince of Wales In aid of Special Olympics GB - 1996/1997 - McVities All Women's Penguin Polar Relay In aid of St John's Ambulance
Awards and recognition
- The Explorers Club medal
- Pride of Britain award
- Guinness Book of Records
- Women of the Year luncheon at Buckingham Palace
Rosie says
“The Royal Parks are one of London’s greatest assets. For training, playing or lazing around, for children or grown up kids like me, they are an important part of our community and it’s worth putting some effort of our own into maintaining them. Do good for your body and good for London, run and have fun in our Royal Parks on 12 October.”
