20 January 2014
Lewis Clark who had been training at BS7 Gym in preparation for his World Record attempt to be the youngest person in the world to ski from the Antarctic coast to the Pole using the 700-mile (1,100km) Hercules Inlet route has completed the feat. Lewis reached the pole on the 18 January and everyone from BS7 Gym and Gloucestershire Cricket would like to say congratulations! Lewis, has been raising money for the youth charity, The Prince's Trust.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Lewis said: 'I'm really happy, but mostly relieved that for the first time in 48 days I don't have to get up tomorrow and drag my sled for nine hours in the snow and icy wind. Click here to see a video of Lewis
'Today was really hard. The closer I got to the Pole, the slower I went. My legs had had enough. But now I'm here and I've had some spaghetti bolognaise and I am sitting in a heated tent.'Lewis, who was raising money for youth charity The Prince's Trust.
His trek began on 2 December, two weeks after his 16th birthday and finished on Saturday. The expedition has seen Lewis ski for an average of eight hours a day, covering about 18 miles (29km), while pulling his supplies behind him on a sledge.
Gary Cox (BS7 Gym Manager) had been putting Lewis through his paces in the lead up to event and saw Lewis through 18 months of gruelling training at BS7 Gym.
Speaking on Lewis, Gary said " When I first met Lewis he was a 13 year old much like any other, except of course he already had one record to his name and was planning on another! You knew right away Lewis had the makings of a world record beater. He fully understood the magnitude of the challenge he was setting himself and was just not phased by it at all.
Over the last two years Lewis has undertaken his strength and conditioning at BS7 gym, supplemented by a range of sports such as rugby and rowing, as well as tyre pulls along the beach. He has shown a dedication and commitment to his training that many twice his age would be envious of. Not afraid of hard work and willing to undertake anything asked of him, he had certainly put in the miles and effort long before even stepping on the plane to the Antarctic.
This is a huge achievement and one that will be extremely difficult to beat. It has been a privilege to have worked with Lewis and make a small contribution to his record breaking journey. I and everyone at BS7 Gym would like to congratulate Lewis and I look forward to catching up and hearing the details first hand"