HMS Raleigh

The 10 candidates which successfully made it through the first round of the ISCE/Telegraph competition for a place on the ISCE sledge party, were invited to attend a further selection and training event at HMS Raleigh, courtesy of the Royal Navy, from 3-6th April 2011. Here, at one of the top leading Navy training establishments, they were stretched physically and psychologically with tests and exercises which raw Navy recruits take weeks to achieve.

The ISCE/Telegraph finalists with Captain Steve Murdoch RN, commanding officer of HMS Raleigh. They are posing with the skis used by PO Evans RN to reach the South Pole and on which he later died.

4th April 2011: DAY ONE

Press release blog: Team A:

"Today the ten shortlisted ISCE candidates were put through their paces at HMS Raleigh. On high ropes, on the water and in the gym, the Royal Navy tested their mettle, taking them out of their comfort zone and forging them into a close knit team, ready for the challenges ahead."

Press release blog: Team B:

"Ten candidates, in the spirit of Captain Scott, and hosted by the Royal Navy, had their courage, integrity, commitment and teamwork tested to the full. From life raft drills to high ropes, having only known each other for 24 hours, we are rapidly becoming a team."

5th April 2011: DAY TWO

"Soaked to the bone in cold water,fighting fatigue to stem the flow from a hole in the ‘sinking ship’ of the Royal Navy’s Damage Repair Unit, seeing the determination of my team mates drove me on. How did Scott’s men do this in heavy Antarctic seas? Incredible commitment." James Smith

"Today can be described as one full of emotion, courage and determination, mixed with copious adrenaline rushes. I’ve learnt much about myself physically and mentally from undertaking an assault course, demanding stretcher race and a sinking ship. I’m here to prepare to continue Scott’s legacy and I’m loving it."  Henry Evans

"As I put this pen to paper, the muscles in my should begin to cramp. With stretcher drills, obstacle courses and an afternoon spent averting the sinking of our ship, we have been tested. Despite the hardships, and the rather frigid water, broad grins have been worn by all throughout. We have been tested and in the spirit of Scott we have persevered and overcome." James Bowell

"Awsome day. A weeks worth of physical challenges before 9.30 a.m.! Highlight was the crazy simulated sinking ship, hammering in wedges through which freezing water is gushing through, up to our necks in the sloshing water as the level rises and the room rocks – all in the near dark with smoke for added effect. I love the others – they saved me from the freezing water!" Helena Reinardy

6th April 2011: DAY THREE (Final day)

"The fast pace of activities continued today with circuits at dawn followed by a ride out to Jupiter Point for ‘Sea Sense Training’.  Everyone worked hard to complete a series of drills, including a rowing race out to Beggar Island to recover two injured dummies in need of rescue!" Kathryn Rose

"Our event drew to a close with chilly ‘man overboard’ drills and a life raft race. We dispersed back to our regular lives with minor aches and a determination as steady as the mid-summer polar sun to push the Scott centenary project further and wider." Ali Negyal

"It's 5:45am, dark and cold, yet at HMS Raleigh the ISCE candidates are enjoying another PT session. It hurts, but next comes a ride on a speedboat, more testing - the results often uncomfortable, but always enlightening - then home and sleep. If that isn't encouragement enough to run faster, nothing is." Joseph Woodward

"It was with some regret that I bid farewell to nine individuals who I had initially seen as competitors, but now saw as team-mates and friends. It had been a long day – beginning at 5.45 with Swedish PT – but sitting round the table with the others one felt that each individual had benefitted from the experience and deserved to follow in the footsteps of their hero, Captain Scott. For me that was the highlight of the day, though high-speed power-boating was a close second!" Christopher Gosling

With the thanks of the entire ISCE team to the Captain and staff of HMS Raleigh

There were a number of media stories generated by this visit. Please see our ISCE in the media page for details.

A short video showing the candidates being put through their paces at HMS Raleigh can be viewed below and at ISCE 2012 on Vimeo.