Ben Fogle and James Cracknell have today launched a search for someone to join their team for the upcoming Amundsen Omega 3 South Pole Race.

TV presenter Fogle, 34, and Olympic gold medallist Cracknell, 36, begin the 2008 Amundsen Omega3 South Pole Race in December 2008.

The third member of the team will line up with Fogle and Cracknell to compete against nine other teams from around the globe across the world’s largest ice cap. The 420-mile race will be the first to the South Pole since Robert Scott and Roald Amundsen’s struggle over the frozen landscape almost 100 years ago.

The title sponsor of the race is Amundsen Omega3 - a Norwegian company developing, producing and selling high quality omega-3 products from Norwegian fish oil.

Fogle, who made his name on the BBC TV series Castaway, warned: “Applicants should be prepared to endure isolation, deprivation and danger.

“They will need to be able to live in a small three-man tent, share daily duties and chores including man hauling, navigating, and cooking, and be capable of walking for up to 20 hours a day over snow, ice and crevasses.

“They will have to withstand the potentially harsh race conditions.”

Applicants will be grilled by psychologists, researchers, scientists and Royal Marines to test their suitability.

Fogle said he was preparing with “lots and lots of exercise,” adding: “It’s taken over my life. If you mess with the South Pole you won’t be coming back.”

To enter applicants should apply online at http://www.ao3spr.com. Completed entry forms to be returned no later than 1st July 2008.

For further information on the Amundsen Omega3 South Pole Race and high-resolution product photography please contact Claire Dunbar or Stephen Clarke at Fuel PR on +44(0)20-7498-8211 claire@fuelrefuel.com / stephen@fuelrefuel.com or see http://www.ao3spr.com

Norwegian Teams

Norway have entered an all male and all female team to compete in the race:

The female team comprise of: Liv Engholm, Gry Cecile Dalby and Marit Weideborg.

The male team includes: Stian Aker, Rune Malterud and Thomas Nilsen

For further information on the Amundsen Omega3 South Pole Race please see http://www.ao3spr.com

Source: Amundsen Omega3 AS