Old Pulteney Salutes You!
UK Army Officer To Take on Battle of the Arctic After Spirited Global Competition Win
Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky and explorer Jock Wishart have revealed the winner of Pole Position, their unique global competition to find the sixth and final crew member of a pioneering arctic expedition – The Old Pulteney Row to the Pole.
David Mans, a 28 year old British Army Officer from Hampshire, beat stiff competition from hundreds of international entrants to be crowned the Pole Position winner at the London Boat Show 2011 on Friday 7th January.
He will join internationally acclaimed adventurer and sportsman Jock Wishart in summer 2011, as he attempts one of the world’s last remaining ‘firsts’: an unsupported row to the magnetic North Pole.
In a specially designed ice boat, David will take his place in the team of six who will set off from Resolute Bay in Canada on a 450 mile route across the arctic on a voyage which if successful, will make history.
The challenge is of global significance as both a pioneering maritime adventure and an environmental expedition – which is only now possible due to the increase in seasonal ice melt and its deterioration due to climate change.
The Old Pulteney Pole Position competition was launched in September 2010 to offer one spirited person a once in a lifetime chance to be part of this extraordinary adventure – but only if they had the physical and mental attributes required for such an extreme feat of skill and endurance.
After an online entry process, a shortlist of forty eight international finalists were invited to compete head-to-head in a Pole Position Challenge Day on the 20th November at the 2012 Olympic Rowing Course, Dorney Lake, Eton Rowing Centre. To test their physical and mental abilities, contestants competed in a two and a half hour endurance row, group interviews and psychometric tests. David’s determination, fitness and stamina stood out amongst the other finalists and saw him scoop the life changing prize, and he will now be personally trained by Jock in the countdown to the summer expedition send off.
To reach the magnetic North Pole, David will row with the other crew members in three hour shifts, and will have to overcome challenging weather and subzero temperatures with little chance of rest or shelter.
His rowing experience at both coastal and river clubs combined with his career as an army officer will put him in good stead to overcome the many obstacles he will face during the arduous voyage. From commanding soldiers in the Middle East to leading army mountaineering expeditions in the UK, David is no stranger to cold, monotony and exhaustion and the effect it can have on a team of people. He credits his sense of humour in the face of adversity and strong determination to succeed as the key attributes he will bring to the team.
David Mans says: ‘I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Old Pulteney Row to the Pole crew and relish the opportunity to take part in what will undoubtedly be one of the biggest adventures of my life to date. Rowing has always been my passion from a young age and has enabled me to keep grounded in the civilian world. For me, rowing is the ultimate team sport and I can only imagine the sense of camaraderie and achievement the crew will feel if we succeed in such a groundbreaking voyage.’
Jock Wishart says: ‘This is the most complicated logistical exercise in the Polar regions since Sir Vivian Fuch’s Trans Antarctic expedition in 1957/58. For this we require the best people. Only the best are “good enough.”
The Old Pulteney Row to the Pole will be captured on camera for UK and international audiences and will follow Jock’s preparations and the 4-6 week long row where he and his team will face dramatic ice-bound coastlines and shifting sea-ice barriers.
Old Pulteney’s partnership with Jock is rooted in the whisky’s maritime heritage and history of supporting sailing and seafaring adventure. The whisky is distilled in the historic harbour town of Wick, the most northerly distillery on the UK mainland and the windswept and rugged landscape that surrounds it has given the malt its legacy as the Maritime Malt. The malt whisky continues its association with some of the most prestigious sailing events in the country with its continuation of its sponsorship of the Isle of Wight’s Round the Island Race and the Old Pulteney IRC Scottish Championship in 2011.
www.rowtothepole.com
Notes
• The certified position of the North Magnetic Pole is 78 degrees, 35.724 minutes North, 104 degrees, 11.915 minutes West.
Jock Wishart
Jock is established as one of the UK’s leading adventurers and explorers, with a successful background in polar exploration, rowing and extreme navigational feats. He led the team which established fifteen new world speed records for powered circumnavigation and captained the team that broke the London to Paris rowing record in 1999. He has a lifetime interest in polar exploration and in 1992 journey he was part of the first team to walk unsupported to the Geomagnetic North Pole.
‘The Old Pulteney’ Ice Boat
The Old Pulteney was designed by Dutchman Peter Bosgraaf of Peter Bosgraaf Yacht Design from Amsterdam in collaboration with Hugh Welbourne of Welbourne Yacht Design from East Allington, Devon, who advised on the laminates and under water construction. Roger Daynes of Snowsled Polar from Tetbury in Wiltshire advised on the design and construction of the “runners” on the bottom of the ice boat. The boat was built by Cris Rossiter of Rossiter Yachts in Christchurch, Dorset.
Old Pulteney Single Malt Whisky
Old Pulteney Single Malt Whisky, is diligently crafted at Pulteney Distillery in Wick. It is the most northerly distillery on the UK Mainland and was founded in 1826 by James Henderson at the height of Wick’s herring boom. The distillery lies in the heart of ‘Pulteneytown’, which was created for all the fishermen at the time, and is embedded in the deep rooting history of this coastal town, which used to be one of the most important and biggest herring fishing ports in Europe.
International Beverage Holdings (www.interbevgroup.com) was established in 2005 as the international arm of ThaiBev, one of South East Asia’s leading alcohol beverage companies. With a network of regional offices in Asia, Europe and North America, the company is responsible for the production, sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium global brands in over 80 countries and territories.
Inver House Distillers (www.inverhouse.com) is globally integrated into International Beverage Holdings and drives the distillation and maturation of Scotch through its five distilleries.
International Beverage brands include:
Chang Beer: Thailand’s iconic beer brand
Single Malt Scotch Whiskies: Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc, Speyburn
Blended Whiskies: Hankey Bannister
Mekhong: ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
Caorunn – a small batch distilled Scottish Gin infused with 5 Celtic botanicals
The company’s success is built on the combination of a strong understanding of local cultures and markets with the creation of a truly global operational network. Brand building pays respect to heritage, provenance and craftsmanship whilst delivering innovative and highly effective strategies at global level. A skilled and dedicated team of people of more than 12 nationalities, speaking over 14 languages delivers the highest standards of customer service and attention to detail across all aspects of the business.
