Karen Kyllesø Becomes Youngest to Ski South Pole

Karen Kyllesø, a 21-year-old Norwegian, has become the youngest person to reach the South Pole solo and without assistance, covering approximately 1,130 kilometers in just under 54 days. This achievement comes 114 years after Roald Amundsen first reached the pole and dethrones the previous record held by Frenchman Pierre Hedan, who was 26 at the time of his feat. Kyllesø's journey was marked by extreme conditions, with temperatures dropping to -25°C, and she pulled a sled weighing about 100 kilograms. Her accomplishment has garnered praise from her mentor Lars Ebbesen and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, emphasizing her place in the legacy of polar explorers. Kyllesø is also noted for her earlier achievement of being the youngest girl to cross Greenland on skis at the age of 15. Her success reflects not only her determination but also extensive preparation and training over six years.