Polartec Announces 2013 Polartec Challenge Grant Recipients

(Lawrence, Mass.) – Polartec is pleased to announce the recipients of its 22nd annual Polartec® Challenge Grant, an international grant program encouraging the spirit and practice of human-powered outdoor adventure. Four separate adventures will receive funding and support from Polartec for 2013: a source-to-sea expedition across Siberia, a paddle and bike trip across Asia, a bicycle traverse of Australia, and a sail and ski trip in and around Iceland and Greenland.

“Since 1991, Polartec has assisted some of the world’s greatest athletes and explorers who rely on our products and put them to the ultimate test,” says Polartec Global Director of Marketing, Allon Cohne. “Polartec engineers fabrics designed for performance in all climates – from lightweight next-to-skin layers, to innovative insulation, and breathable waterproof protection. The 2013 Polartec Challenge Grant recipients exemplify Polartec’s commitment to expanding our perception of what’s possible, and we’re proud to support them.”

• Agnieszka and Mateusz Waligora will attempt a nearly 2,000km, three-desert bicycle traverse of the rugged Canning Stock Route in Australia, and raise awareness about the Aboriginal history of the regions covered.
• Meghan Kelly, Pip Hunt, Nat Segal, McKenna Peterson, Karissa Tuthill, and Martha Hunt will attempt to ski first descents in Greenland via a sailboat from Iceland.
• Amber Valenti, Rebecca Dennis and Sabra Purdy will embark on a 4,400km source-to-sea expedition on the free-flowing Amur River through three countries in southern Siberia – as a living reminder of what’s been lost by damming, and as a celebration of wild places that still exist.
• Alexander Martin and a team of fellow adventurers will cross Asia using bikes and paddles to tell stories of the people and places traveled through, and inspire others to human-powered travel and river conservation.

In addition to the grant money, all of this year’s Polartec® Challenge winners will be fully outfitted with Polartec® garments, designed to keep them warm, dry and comfortable in the harshest of climates.

About the Polartec® Challenge Grant
The annual Polartec® Challenge Grant seeks to assist frugal, low impact teams who respect the local culture and environment and serve as role models to outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. Applications are evaluated on the basis of their vision, commitment and credibility. Past recipients of the Polartec® Challenge Grant include outdoor pioneers and adventurers such as Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, Steve House, Jon Turk, Marko Prezelj, Andrew McLean, Greg Hill, Mike Libecki, Kyle Dempster, Hayden Kennedy, and John Shipton.