SCOTT AMUNDSEN CENTENARY RACE TO THE POLE
In December 1911, Roald Amundsen led a team of five Norwegian explorers to the South Pole. It was the first time men had stood at the bottom of the world, and in so doing they had beaten the great British explorer Robert Scott in the race for this honour. It was a classic tale of triumph and tragedy, the climax of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, followed just months later by the death of Scott’s team. One hundred years later, I was given the opportunity to compete in the Centenary Race to the South Pole with the adventurer Braam Malherbe.
It was an event like nothing I’d ever experienced. “We took risks, we knew that we took them; things have come out against us, and therefore we have no cause for complaint, but bow to the will of Providence, determined still to do our best to the last. Had we lived, I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance, and courage of my companions, which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale.” – from Robert Scott’s “Message to the Public”, written in March 1911
You can read more about this expedition in my book ‘The Eighth Summit’ or go the Peter Van Kets Youtube Channel for the videos.
RELATED PRODUCTS
IN SHORT: A motivational memoir that recounts and takes inspiration from three epic expeditions undertaken by adventurer Peter van Kets: winning the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race in 2008, rowing the Atlantic single-handed in 2010, and trekking unsupported to the South Pole in 2012.
EXTENDED BLURB: The word “adventure” is deeply entrenched in the soul of man. Nations have been built, wars have been won and discoveries have been made all in the name of adventure. The great challenge of the modern age is the Seven Summits: scaling the highest peak on all seven continents – but The Eighth Summit is about inspiring the human spirit.
In his memoir, Peter van Kets takes readers on three of his greatest expeditions – incredible, unsupported adventures across the Atlantic in rowing boats and across the icy high plateau of Antarctica on foot and sled – with the goal of lifting their spirits and motivating them in whatever they do.
As a passionate speaker and conservationist, Peter does all he can to inspire people and change their lives, and he has addressed thousands of people since being awarded SA OutThere Adventurer of the Year in 2011. Typical topics of discussion are vision, planning, team work, strategy, conflict management, working in a dynamic environment, self-discipline and perseverance. The Eighth Summit is his story.
THE AUTHOR
Peter van Kets is one of the world’s top professional endurance adventurers, a conservationist and an international keynote/inspirational speaker. He has been involved in numerous expeditions around the world.
FEATURE POINTS
Appeals to readers who enjoy adventure and the outdoors – pretty much the average South African;
Author has large social media following and marketing reach; Author speaks to audiences around the world and in South Africa; will use this as a marketing platform;
Author profile to increase further with expedition to the North Pole scheduled, to be filmed by the Discovery channel.

EXPEDITION INFORMATION:
RACE: SOUTH POLE
PARTICIPANTS
PETER VAN KETS – Team Member 1
BRAAM MALHERBE – Team Member 2




NEWS / MEDIA
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Final Frontier
Antarctica is the highest, driest,windiest and coldest continent on this planet
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Cold Sweat – starts in South Africa.
Just watched (for the first time) footage of the race Braam Malherbe and I did to the South Pole to commemorate Scott and Amundsens race
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Motivation
Having just completed this incredible race/journey to the South Pole and with many requests coming through for motivational talks, I have put together my new
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Mission Accomplished
Braam and I have just returned from our …… how should I say ….. EPIC Race to the Pole. It was an expedition that had
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Latest News and Updates from the Pole
Boys are better. woke up feeling worst ever but had a good day of skiing despite hectic uphills that slowed them down a lot.