Factual
There are just four celebrities still battling to make it all the way to 71 Degrees North, the final destination of this Arctic race. They have now made it to 70 Degrees North, just 250 kilometers from the finish.
Doc Martin actor Joe Absolom is the first team leader and gets to pick his partner for this week’s team challenge. He chooses Hollyoaks actor Marcus Patrick and they will be the red team. Welsh rugby international Gavin Henson is disappointed. Joe has never picked him for his team and Gavin is beginning to believe there’s some bad blood. Joe is his greatest rival in the competition and he had hoped to keep his enemy close. Gavin and Footballers’ Wives actress Susie Amy will be the blue team.
This week’s challenge is called Hell Race and the teams soon see why. They are heading out into the wild with nothing more than the kit on their backs plus a map and compass. For the next 36 hours they must navigate their way across a vast mountain plateau and down into the largest canyon in Northern Europe. Here they must set up camp, before trekking to the finish line tomorrow. It will be the most physically punishing test they have faced.
Joe and Marcus make a good start and take an early lead. As they trek on skis they look like true arctic explorers – their lives as actors back in Britain are a long way behind them now. But as they break for food, Gavin and Susie are hot on their tails.
As both teams get to the edge of the canyon and begin their descent, conditions get tougher. All the celebrities are finding it almost impossible to stay on the feet. After one fall, Susie’s injury from last week comes back to haunt her. Gavin is forced to spend time helping his team mate get down into the base of the canyon.
Joe and Marcus eventually make it to camp first and have earned a 15 minute head start tomorrow. But for now both teams must pitch their tent and feed themselves. They have been provided with the raw ingredients for a nutritious supper in the wild – a freshly slaughtered mountain hare!
For Joe and Marcus skinning, gutting, cleaning and cooking a wild animal is way out of their comfort zone. But Gavin, a veteran rabbit hunter from childhood, is relishing the task in hand. Joe and Marcus eventually hack two small pieces of meat off the carcass and burn them to a crisp over the fire. Meanwhile, Gavin prepares a solid meal for two with thighs, legs and breasts neatly jointed and fried in a pan over the embers. He and Susie tuck into a tasty meal in front of their fire.
The next morning, the teams discover they must construct an emergency sled using their skis to transport one team member’s kit to the finish line. It’s another key survival skill used in arctic conditions.
Joe and Marcus cobble together a rickety sled and set off with their 15 minute head start. Meanwhile, Susie constructs a solid-looking sled. She and Gavin set off and are soon gaining on the boys.
However, Susie’s sled then gives way and Gavin loses it. He’s furious. If it’s not bad enough being behind in the race, the challenge is proving tougher than he ever imagined. Even the self appointed man mountain is beginning to doubt whether or not he’ll be able to finish it. But up ahead Joe and Marcus need to make some running repairs to their sled. They had retained the lead so far but will they make it to the finish line first?
This week’s winners are delighted as they are in for a treat at the luxury cabin. After 3 weeks in the arctic wilderness, they are allowed contact with loved ones for the first time, via a web chat. Meanwhile, the losers bed down in their tent, melting ice for drinking water and tucking into a tin of processed ham.
The celebrities are reunited the next morning when Kate briefs them for the immunity challenge. They arrive at the top of an enormous dam, towering 120 meters above the largest canyon in Northern Europe.
They must dangle from the top of it on a climbing rope,with nothing between them and the rocks below. Using the rope, they must swing from side to side to reach several boxes. Inside the boxes are flags to collect. Once they have all 5 flags, the clock will be stopped. The fastest time wins.
Joe looks as if he’s having second thoughts. Gavin suffers vertigo and also considers sitting this one out.
All four celebrities eventually take part in the challenge and the winner is ecstatic to have guaranteed their place on the final part of the expedition.
But it’s time for someone to leave the camp and everyone must now cast their vote. Whoever gets the most votes will leave for home immediately after the result. They just have time for a quick goodbye before they leave for the airport. The group is down to three and the final challenge awaits them. Who will be crowned the winner of 71 Degrees North?
Last edited: Wednesday, 13 October 2010
