Ben Fogle and James Cracknell seek third team member to join Team QinetiQ

24 June 2008

Today sees the launch of new micro-site www.cometothepole.com designed and created by Rufus Leonard which invites a member of the public to join Olympic gold medalist, James Cracknell and TV presenter Ben Fogle, in their race to the South Pole later this year. 

Rufus Leonard has provided all brand and digital design and development for the launch of a new partnership between QinetiQ and the intrepid pair. Including the website www.teamqinetiq.com

The successful applicant will gain a place in Team QinetiQ and, as part of the team, will have the science and technology backing of QinetiQ human performance expertise and its emerging capability in energy and environmental sciences to help them maximize their physical and mental endurance in preparation for the race.  Preparation will also include training in Austria and a pre-expedition training visit to Greenland.

“We are looking for applicants who are physically fit, strong, able, dedicated and committed and who will be able to withstand the potentially harsh race conditions,” said Fogle.  “Applicants should be prepared to endure isolation, deprivation and danger, be able to live in a small three-man tent, sharing daily duties and chores including man hauling, navigating, cooking and be capable of walking for up to 20 hours a day over snow, ice and crevasses.” he added.

The race, which is due to take place in December, will see ten teams from all over the world set off across the Antarctic Plateau, racing 420 miles across the largest ice cap in the world to the far end of the earth – the Geographic South Pole. This will be the first race of its kind since Scott and Amundsen’s historic race almost 100 years ago.  Teams of three will ski, pulling 200lb sleds over the same route, with the same equipment, starting from the same start line. 

Rufus Leonard has been QinetiQ’s lead brand and digital agency since 2001 and was given the brief to design and build the Web site www.teamqinetiq.com earlier this year.  They also designed and set up www.cometothepole.com Rufus Leonard also developed the Team QinetiQ Identity, key messaging, launch materials, launch e-invitation and internal communications.

Neil Svensen CEO of Rufus Leonard said; “the launch of Team QinetiQ marks the start of an exciting time for the QinetiQ brand, Rufus Leonard will continue to provide brand and digital support to QinetiQ and QinetiQ’s sponsorship of The South Pole”.

Those interested in applying to join the team should visit www.cometothepole.com for full details. The closing date for applications is 1st July 2008.