THE SKI TRACK OF RUSSIA – THE NORTH POLE
the Youth Expedition

On April 21, 2008 seven girls and boys under the leadership of Matvey Shparo and Boris Smolin reached the North Pole after traveling 100 km over the drifting ice of the Arctic Ocean.

The Russian Youth Expedition "The Ski Track of Russia – the North Pole" started on April 14, 2008. The courageous young participants, representing the nine regions of Russia, dedicated their route to the great pioneer explorer – exactly 100 years ago on April 21, 2008 Dr. Frederick Cook, an American, and two Eskimo men E-took-a-shoo and Ah-pellah, reached the North Pole on dog sleds, discovering the most mysterious point of the Earth.

The Adventure Club organized the Youth Expedition "The Ski Track of Russia – the North Pole!" as the celebration of the Centenary of the Discovery of the North Pole and the continuation of the renowned tradition of the Arctic achievements.

Nine girls and boys were selected on the basis of the results of the All-Russia Competition, announced in December 2007. The necessary terms were: experience in ski tours and participation in the Regional stage of the All-Russia Race "The Ski Track of Russia". The application forms were examined by the Jury headed by Vyacheslav Fetisov, the Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Sport, Physical Education and Tourism. The Jury received more than 100 applications from the young adherents of skiing, traveling and healthy mode of life. The Jury selected 20 candidates, who arrived in the Youth Camp Great Adventure in Karelia. Here they participated in the final selection stage from March 1 to March 11, 2008.

The Expedition started from the Russian Drifting Station Barneo, located in the region of 89? N and reached the North Pole in seven days. The safety of the Youth Expedition was provided by the Aviation Department of the Federal Security Service of Russia.

Also see:

• Training M.Shparo and B.Smolin in the Longa Strait, spring 2007.