Mowi technician breaks Antarctic record

Norwegian Karen Kyllesø this week achieved her ambition after journeying for 1,130 kilometres on an expedition that lasted for almost two months.

 

Mowi was her main sponsor for the attempt. The youngest record holder before her was 27-year-old Frenchman Matthieu Tordeur.

 

Not only is Kyllesø the youngest person to go to the South Pole alone, but she also made the trip without resupply.

 

Karen Kyllesø, an Operating Technician at Mowi Norway, began her career journey with Mowi two years ago, working weekends and vacations while studying. She now works full-time for Mowi at Hjelmeland, having previously worked at its sites in Bastlid, Langavik, and Ryfisk.

 

Kyllesø embarked on an unbelievable mission to become the youngest person to ski unsupported and solo to the South Pole. Her one Christmas treat was a bar of candy.

 

Kyllesø began the final leg of her polar journey on Monday morning with just 27 kilometers left. Her aim was to finish before midnight.

 

Her achievement was confirmed to the Norwegian media by her father Håkon Kyllesø and mentor Lars Ebbesen.

 

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre praised her achievement, describing it as a national feat. He said he is “deeply impressed”.

 

It was a Norwegian, Roald Amundsen, who became the first person to reach the South Pole in December 1911, just beating a British attempt led by Robert Scott.