If you have a love for adventure and think you have what it takes to trek through the Arctic wilderness on a dog sled, you could win this adventure with Fjällräven SA, which recently launched in the country.
South Africans are invited to apply for the annual Fjällräven Polar 2020, an exciting 300-kilometre sleigh adventure, taking place from 30 March to 5 April 2020.
Image: Nicklas Blom Photography
The story of the Fjällräven Polar: an event for ordinary people
The seed for Fjällräven Polar was planted back in the early 1990s when Fjällräven founder Åke Nordin met Kenth Fjellborg, one of Sweden’s leading dog-sled drivers. Åke was inspired by Kenth, who’d participated in Iditarod, the world’s most difficult dog-sled competition through the harsh Alaskan wilderness.
Image: Nicklas Blom Photography
They wanted to create a Swedish equivalent, but not for experts like Kenth – for ordinary people. In 1997 the Fjällräven Polar took place in the Scandinavian Arctic for the first time.
The event was a success, most notably because of the spirit of those first participants. They showed that with guts and gusto, advice and guidance from experts, anyone could take on the challenge of Fjällräven Polar.
How to apply
Applicants need to upload a short video or photo via their Facebook account, on the Fjällräven Polar website, together with a motivation as to why they want to enter the event. Half of the applicants will be selected by jury vote and the other 50% by popular vote.
Entrants from one region will compete with others in a pool of 20 regions. Applicants who receive the most votes in their region are chosen to participate in the Fjällräven Polar, while a Fjällräven judging panel handpicks one additional candidate from each region.
Image: Nicklas Blom Photography
Successful applicants will meet more than 200 highly skilled sled dogs, expert guides and a group of ordinary people from across the globe. Together they’ll journey from Signaldalen in Norway to Jukkasjärvi in Sweden on a dog sled. All expenses for the trip are covered by Fjällräven, including professional equipment to keep you safe in the Arctic conditions.
Applications for the Fjällräven Polar are open until 12 December 2019 to curious adventurers aged 18 years and older. A reasonable level of fitness is required, but no previous experience in the outdoors during an Arctic winter is required. Winners will be announced on 13 December 2019 on the Fjällräven Facebook page.
About Fjällräven
Fjällräven SA launched its flagship store in the country in November 2019. It can be found on the upper level (Shop 209) at the V&A Waterfront Store.
