Antarctica 2000 Web Site

The 'live' chat conference is testimony to Singapore's bid to be among the first in the world to witness the millenial sun, and is made possible by SingTel and SingTel's tie-up with Iridium's satellite communications technology.

The team, which left Singapore on Oct 16, was delayed from flying into Patriot Hills for 8 days by unfavourable weather conditions.

They finally embarked on the trek on 4th November 1999. This moment is marked by a record of an imprint of the expedition leader Khoo Swee Chiow's right foot - the first of an estimated 2,500,000 steps to the South Pole.

This historic moment in Singapore's expedition history was recorded on video and film, which will be archived for public record.

"We were estatic," said Khoo Swee Chiow. "This is the beginning of a moment that we and everyone back home in Singapore have been waiting for. We are positive that we will achieve the ultimate objective. There's a good feeling all round, and there is no turning back now."

Despite the delay, there is no reason that the team cannot plant the Singapore flag on December 31, 1999 as planned.

Jasmine Lee, expedition manager, said, "Although the team was delayed by unfavourable conditions, their morale is at an all-time high. This has given them the confidence and extra boost of energy to make good progress."

Last week, the team stirred some concern in their Singapore base camp when contact with them was lost for four days.

"Such things are bound to happen from time to time. Loss of contact can be due to bad weather conditions or rough terrain," said Jasmine lee. "Back in Singapore, we have to keep a level head and should not over-react by assuming the worst."

Said Khoo Swee Chiow, "Apart from that one instance when the bad weather disrupted our communications, the Iridium phones SingTel has sponsored us with have been our invaluable link to the outside world."

"The phones not only let us keep in touch with our family and friends in Singapore, they are also our lifeline to the rest of the world, should an emergency arise. This is all-important when all we can see around us in Antarctica is ice, and there is no one around for hundreds of miles."

Facts and Figures (as at November 18, 1999)

Location : 81 degrees south 40 minutes

: 80 degrees west 48 minutes

Number of days on Antarctica : 14 days

Number of kilometres trekked : 200km

Average weather Conditions

Temperature : -14°C to -20°C

Windchill : -40°C to -67°C

Singaporeans will be glad to know that Singapore's bid to become the first country in South-east Asia to make expedition history, is right on track.