Kaspersky Commonwealth Expedition Pressroom

Bulletin #8 - Expedition Will Return to the UK Triumphant

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:15:05 GMT

08 JANUARY 2010: PRESS BULLETIN

8 January 2010: The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition team will fly into London’s Heathrow Airport on Monday 11 January triumphant and celebratory following their extraordinary journey to the Geographic South Pole. The team – seven women from six Commonwealth countries – arrived at the bottom of the world at 2309 on Tuesday, 29 December after 38 days skiing across one of the most hostile places on earth. Kaspersky Lab’s senior management team met them there.

After a warm welcome from family, friends and the press at Heathrow Airport, the girls will head straight into London for their first press conference held at London’s Commonwealth Club and hosted by Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma.

Also there to greet the team, as they had been at the South Pole, will be the expedition’s sponsors, Kaspersky Lab. Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of Kaspersky Lab and the expedition’s most devoted follower, flew to the South Pole with his colleagues Harry Cheung, Managing Director of Kaspersky Lab for the APAC Region and Alexander Gostev, Director of Kaspersky Lab’s Global Research and Analysis Team to congratulate the team personally on their success and to plant a Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition flag together. Roger Wilson, Vice-President Marketing will also be waiting for them at the Commonwealth Club in London today.

Eugene Kaspersky commented “The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition team has accomplished one of the most historic feats of the century and I know for sure that for such a great team, it is only the beginning of what they can achieve!”

Harry Cheung said: “We are very proud of the team’s achievement. They are a true inspiration, and we admire their determination to accomplish this challenging expedition as a team. Similarly, the underlying principle of Kaspersky Lab’s business is to overcome all difficulties to tackle global information security issues, through a collaborative and pioneering spirit is shared by our teams across the globe.”

Felicity Aston, team leader said: “We are all so excited to be back in London and we are looking forward to sharing our stories and experiences. But, in many ways, skiing to the South Pole was just the beginning because, after today, we begin the job of spreading the word about comradeship between nations, the power of women united, and the importance of inter-cultural understanding and team work. If this expedition has taught us anything, it is that if we seven women can ski to the South Pole, then anyone can do anything. This is the message we want to share and will take around the world on behalf of Kaspersky Lab.”

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition also begins a dedicated education programme visiting schools, colleges and youth groups around the world. Team members will spend the next 12 months visiting schools and bringing expedition food, clothing and equipment with them for students to try, as well as images and film footage from the expedition to describe their experiences in Antarctica.

- Ends -

For more information and photos...
Use our Online Resource for press images and documents relating to the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antartic Expedition. This can be found online by clicking the link below.

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Arrange an interview
To arrange interviews with any members of the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition team please contact Kate Gedge on 01874 730300 or email pr@commonwealthexpedition.com

Follow the Team on the ice!
You can keep up to speed with daily blogs, regular PodCasts and live Twitter updates by following the link below to our website: kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.com

Bulletin #7 - Kaspersky Lab Team has reached the South Pole!

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:15:05 GMT

31 DECEMBER 2009: PRESS BULLETIN

Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content management solutions, announces that the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition has reached its destination– the South Pole!

There to greet the expedition team on their triumphant arrival at the South Pole was the expedition’s most devoted follower, Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of Kaspersky Lab, accompanied by Harry Cheung, Managing Director of Kaspersky Lab for the APAC Region and Alexander Gostev, Director of Kaspersky Lab’s Global Research and Analysis Team. Together with the courageous members of the expedition they planted a Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition flag at the southernmost tip of the world to signify the enormous power of teamwork.

“The history of the world is made by humans and it is really great to be one of those history-makers!” said Eugene Kaspersky. “Today the Kaspersky Lab team is here at the South Pole with the world’s greatest-ever women’s team. They have accomplished one of the most historic feats of the century and I know for sure that for such a great team, it is only the beginning of what they can achieve!”

To reach the South Pole, the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition team, comprising seven women from six Commonwealth countries – Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, India, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom, had to cover a distance of 900 kilometers on skis. The team members from Brunei (Dk Najibah Eradah binti P. A. M. Al-Sufri Pg M-L Kahar) and Cyprus (Stephanie Solomonides) were the first people from their respective nations, male or female, to ski to the South Pole. The team members from India (Reena Kaushal Dharmshaktu), New Zealand (Kylie Wakelin) and Singapore (Sophia Pang) are the first women from their respective countries to make this symbolic and prestigious journey.

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth as well as demonstrating the potential for greater international understanding and exchange, and highlighting the achievements of women across the World.

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Bulletin #6 - First Ever Live Lecture From Antarctica

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:15:05 GMT

28 DECEMBER 2009: PRESS BULLETIN

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition links up with National Geographic's Global Retail Store on London's Regent Street tomorrow (29 December) for a live public lecture and Q&A session from Antarctica via satellite phone. The team will be just hours away from the South Pole when they share their incredible journey live from the ice.

Sophia Pang, representing Singapore, is making an emotional phone call home today (28 December) to her three children as she celebrates her 37th birthday. Sophia - who combines working as an IT Consultant with instructing aerobics and kickboxing - will be the first woman from Singapore to ski to the South Pole.

“Only a great team is capable of performing great deeds,” said a representative of the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition team. “Together with Kaspersky Lab we make an outstanding team and we believe our expedition will become one of the most eminent historical events ever! From the bottom of our hearts we’d like to thank Kaspersky Lab for being with us at the turning point of our lives and sharing our spirit of adventure!”

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition sees women from seven Commonwealth countries – Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, India, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom – ski 900 kilometres to the Geographic South Pole. On reaching their target, the team members from Brunei, Cyprus and Jamaica will be the first person from their nation, male or female, to ski to the South Pole. Those from India, New Zealand and Singapore will be the first women from their nation to make this symbolic and prestigious journey.

The expedition marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth as well as demonstrating the potential for greater international understanding and exchange, and highlighting the achievements of women across the World. - Ends -

For more information and photos...
Use our Online Resource for press images and documents relating to the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antartic Expedition. This can be found online by clicking the link below. More images will be added as the team progress.

Please login using the following email address and password.

- Username: guest@guest.com
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- kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.glasnost21.com

Arrange an interview
To arrange interviews with any members of the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition team please contact Kate Gedge on 01874 730300 or email pr@commonwealthexpedition.com

Follow the Team on the ice!
You can keep up to speed with daily blogs, regular PodCasts and live Twitter updates by following the link below to our website: kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.com

Bulletin #5 - Happy Christmas Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Team

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:15:05 GMT

23 DECEMBER 2009: PRESS BULLETIN

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Team is celebrating Christmas Antarctic-style with a day off from skiing. The team is planning a tent party with a Christmas tree and decorations made from sweet wrappers, improvised presents, saved up sweeties, party games, a sing-song and phone calls home.

Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of Kaspersky Lab said: “To celebrate Christmas in Antarctic must be one of the greatest experiences of a lifetime! We are happy to congratulate the team on their extreme Christmas and look forward to meeting them at the world’s end which will happen really soon!”

Commenting on Christmas in Antarctica, Felicity Aston said: “Half of the team don't usually celebrate Christmas so the other half are having great fun teaching them Christmas songs and explaining why they have to hang their smelly socks outside the tent on Christmas Eve.”

Kylie Wakelin, New Zealand team member said: “Christmas is always an interesting time for us down in New Zealand because it's the middle of summer and we always have lovely barbecues and we might go to the beach and we might get a new bikini or a surfboard for Christmas. Here there is snow absolutely everywhere, not a Christmas tree in sight and certainly no beach and no barbecue!”

Reena Dharmshaktu, India’s team member said: “Santa is definitely going to be near South Pole this Christmas. Merry Christmas and Peace and Love to everybody.” Helen Turton said: “Those of you who know me will know that Polar girl wouldn't be anywhere else in the world than in Antarctica, there has to be snow for it to be Christmas for me. “

- Ends -

For more information and photos...
Use our Online Resource for press images and documents relating to the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antartic Expedition. This can be found online by clicking the link below. More images will be added as the team progress.

Please login using the following email address and password.

- Username: guest@guest.com
- Password: guest
- kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.glasnost21.com

Arrange an interview
To arrange interviews with any members of the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition team please contact Kate Gedge on 01874 730300 or email pr@commonwealthexpedition.com

Follow the Team on the ice!
You can keep up to speed with daily blogs, regular PodCasts and live Twitter updates by following the link below to our website: kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.com

Bulletin #4 - Team Reaches Half Way Point

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:15:05 GMT

13 DECEMBER 2009: PRESS BULLETIN

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Team has reached the half way point on its massive expedition to the Geographic South Pole. The team has covered 454km in 22 days and is currently at N 86 06.406/E 82 57.066 coordinates, 446 km from the Geographic South Pole.

Commenting live from Antarctica, expedition leader, Felicity Aston said; “Everything's going really well, and we're making excellent progress. We're all absolutely delighted. We've literally just reached the half way mark, and it does feel like the miles are catching up with us a little bit. Lucky there's been no sort of serious injuries yet, but we've all got various aches and pains, which I think come from walking so many miles.”

“We are all following the expedition very closely and every new achievement made by the team is great news for us!”, said Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of Kaspersky Lab. “Reaching the half-way point is one of the expedition’s milestones and the next one will be the Geographic South Pole. Kaspersky Lab will join the team at their final destination and salute the great spirit of teamwork. We will be able to celebrate this glorious event altogether.”

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition sees women from seven Commonwealth countries – Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, India, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom – ski 900 kilometres to the Geographic South Pole. On reaching their target, the team members from Brunei, Cyprus and Jamaica will be the first person from their nation, male or female, to ski to the South Pole. Those from India, New Zealand and Singapore will be the first women from their nation to make this symbolic and prestigious journey.

“Only a great team is capable of performing great deeds,” said a representative of the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition team. “Together with Kaspersky Lab we make an outstanding team and we believe our expedition will become one of the most eminent historical events ever! From the bottom of our hearts we’d like to thank Kaspersky Lab for being with us at the turning point of our lives and sharing our spirit of adventure!”

The expedition marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth as well as demonstrating the potential for greater international understanding and exchange, and highlighting the achievements of women across the World.

Ends

For more information and photos...
Use our Online Resource for press images and documents relating to the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antartic Expedition. This can be found online by clicking the link below. More images will be added as the team progress.

Please login using the following email address and password.

- Username: guest@guest.com
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- kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.glasnost21.com

Arrange an interview
To arrange interviews with any members of the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition team please contact Kate Gedge on 01874 730300 or email pr@commonwealthexpedition.com

Follow the Team on the ice!
You can keep up to speed with daily blogs, regular PodCasts and live Twitter updates by following the link below to our website: kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.com

Bulletin #3 - Team Avoids Treacherous Crevasse Fields

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:15:05 GMT

7 DECEMBER 2009: PRESS BULLETIN

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic team has reached its first navigation point and started, for the first time, to head due South towards the Thiel Mountains and the South Pole itself. Careful navigation is more important than ever at this stage as they try to avoid the treacherous crevasse fields and stay on target to collect their first cache or re-supply which is only a day away.

In addition to the daily hazards of extreme cold, high winds and the physical effort of dragging all their food and equipment, they now have to keep their minds sharp to avoid falling into crevasses. These giant gaps in the ice can be tens of metres wide, hundreds deep and cover several kilometres, but they can also be very difficult to see. Covered in snow against an all-white backdrop, the first sign that you're in such a field might be the 'whoosh' of the ground beneath you falling away.

Careful navigation, peeled eyes and constant vigilance will be a necessary to avoid any unpleasant surprises. The team may also ski whilst roped together so that should one of them fall into a crevasse, the others can hold their fall and then drag them back out again.

Commenting on this stage of their monumental journey, expedition leader Felicity Aston said: “We have had recent reports from a pilot that the crevasse fields are full of really big holes, so our navigation has to be spot on. We decided to make a four-day ‘dog leg’ around the fields to avoid the worst hit bits but we are on tenterhooks everytime the snow moves beneath us. We are also really excited about reaching our cache which has clean underwear and some treats to keep us going.”

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition sees women from seven Commonwealth countries – Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, India, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom – ski 900 kilometres to the Geographic South Pole. On reaching their target, the team members from Brunei, Cyprus, Ghana and Jamaica will be the first person from their nation, male or female, to ski to the South Pole. Those from India, New Zealand and Singapore will be the first women from their nation to make this symbolic and prestigious journey.

“Only a great team is capable of performing great deeds,” said the representative of the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition. “Together with Kaspersky Lab we make an outstanding team and we believe our expedition will become one of the most eminent historical events ever! From the bottom of our hearts we’d like to thank Kaspersky Lab for being with us at the turning point of our lives and sharing our spirit of adventure!”

The expedition marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth as well as demonstrating the potential for greater international understanding and exchange, and highlighting the achievements of women across the World.

Ends

For more information and photos...
Use our Online Resource for press images and documents relating to the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antartic Expedition. This can be found online by clicking the link below. More images will be added as the team progress.

Please login using the following email address and password.

- Username: guest@guest.com
- Password: guest
- kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.glasnost21.com

Arrange an interview
To arrange interviews with any members of the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition team please contact Kate Gedge on 01874 730300 or email pr@commonwealthexpedition.com

Follow the Team on the ice!
You can keep up to speed with daily blogs, regular PodCasts and live Twitter updates by following the link below to our website: kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.com

Bulletin - Jamaican Leaves Expedition

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:15:05 GMT

23 NOVEMBER PRESS BULLLETIN

It is with much regret that 30-year-old Kim-Marie Spence from Kingston, Jamaica has had to leave the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition due to frost bite on her fingers. The team left base camp at Patriot Hills at the weekend and started skiing the 900km to the South Pole on Sunday (22 November) but, following medical advice, Kim-Marie Spence has not joined them and is instead flying home to Jamaica.

Commenting on her departure from the team, Kim-Marie said “I have frostbite which goes to show what kind of place Antarctica is – it’s really tough and I have the blackened fingers to prove it. The doctor here has said that I cannot continue unless I'm willing to loose my fingers but that's not the sensible route at this point in time. I wish the best to my fellow explorers and fellow colleagues. I know that they will reach the South Pole. I also want to thank everyone for the support that I have gotten. I will continue to follow this expedition.”

Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of Kaspersky Lab said: “We are so sad to hear about Kim-Marie’s departure from the team but realise that this difficult decision is none-the-less the right one. I am very excited to be meeting the rest of the team at the South Pole at the end of December and I wish them the best of luck for their exciting journey.”

Ends

For more information and photos...
Use our Online Resource for press images and documents relating to the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antartic Expedition. This can be found online by clicking the link below. More images will be added as the team progress.

Please login using the following email address and password.

- Username: guest@guest.com
- Password: guest
- kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.glasnost21.com

Arrange an interview
To arrange interviews with any members of the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition team please contact Kate Gedge on 01874 730300 or email pr@commonwealthexpedition.com

Follow the Team on the ice!
You can keep up to speed with daily blogs, regular PodCasts and live Twitter updates by following the link below to our website: kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.com

Bulletin #2 - The team has set off

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:15:05 GMT

22 NOVEMBER PRESS BULLLETIN

Today the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Team has set off for the South Pole. For the next 40 days, the intrepid team will ski six-to-ten hours a day unguided and unsupported pulling 80kg sledges loaded with food, fuel and equipment. The team will face blinding blizzards, winds reaching speeds in excess of 80mph, hidden crevasses and temperatures that plummet to -40C.

As the team skis past the polar ice cap's mountain passes and fields, they will experience 24-hour daylight, endless vistas, and intense solitude. They will not see any plant or animal life; only snow, ice, rock and sky.

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition sees women from seven Commonwealth countries – Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, India, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom – ski 900 kilometres to the Geographic South Pole. On reaching their target, the team members from Brunei, Cyprus and Jamaica will be the first person from their nation, male or female, to ski to the South Pole. Those from India, New Zealand and Singapore will be the first woman from their nation to make this symbolic and prestigious journey.

“Only a great team is capable of performing great deeds,” said the representative of the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition. “Together with Kaspersky Lab we make an outstanding team and we believe our expedition will become one of the most eminent historical events ever! From the bottom of our hearts we’d like to thank Kaspersky Lab for being with us at the turning point of our lives and sharing our spirit of adventure!”

The expedition marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth as well as demonstrating the potential for greater international understanding and exchange, and highlighting the achievements of women across the World.

Ends

For more information and photos...
Use our Online Resource for press images and documents relating to the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antartic Expedition. This can be found online by clicking the link below. More images will be added as the team progress.

Please login using the following email address and password.

- Username: guest@guest.com
- Password: guest
- kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.glasnost21.com

Arrange an interview
To arrange interviews with any members of the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition team please contact Kate Gedge on 01874 730300 or email pr@commonwealthexpedition.com

Follow the Team on the ice!
You can keep up to speed with daily blogs, regular PodCasts and live Twitter updates by following the link below to our website: kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.com

Bulletin #1 - Expedition departs

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:15:05 GMT

12 NOVEMBER PRESS BULLLETIN

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition team members are about to start out on their glorious expedition to the South Pole.

Today the team set off for their base camp in Antarctica where they will stay for a week acclimatising to the harsh conditions and completing their pre-expedition preparations. The team spent their previous week in Punta Arenas, Chile. They have now left South America aboard a specially equipped aircraft bound for Antarctica. The 4 ½ hour flight is only undertaken a few times each year during the short austral summer and the team are on the very first flight to be attempted this season.

The flight over the Southern Ocean to the remotest continent on Earth depends entirely upon the weather conditions. At any point the aircraft may be forced to return to South America by deteriorating weather conditions. Only when the team have passed the PNR (Point of No Return) will they know that they will definitely reach their destination.

The aircraft will convey the members of the Kaspersky Lab’s Commonwealth Antarcti Expedition to Patriot Hills, the only commercial base camp in Antarctica. Lying in the lee of a range of mountains which includes Antarctica’s tallest peak, Mt Vinson, Patriot Hills is situated near a vast area of naturally occurring blue ice. This ice is used as a runway.

Once at Patriot Hills the team will spend a week acclimatising to average temperatures of between -20C and -40C. They will also have to contend with 24-hour daylight, dazzling scenery that is so bright that it can cause blindness and the constant threat of serious sunburn due to the lack of Ozone above Antarctica.

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition will see women from eight Commonwealth countries – Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, Ghana, India, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom – brave blizzards, crevasses and temperatures below minus 40° as they ski 900 kilometres over approximately 40 days to the Geographic South Pole. On reaching their target, the team members from Brunei, Cyprus, Ghana and Jamaica will be the first people from their respective nations, male or female, to ski to the South Pole. Those from India, New Zealand and Singapore will be the first women from their nations to make this symbolic and prestigious journey.

“Only a great team is capable of performing the great deeds”, said the representatives of Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition. “Together with Kaspersky Lab we make an outstanding team and we believe our expedition will become one of the most eminent historical events ever! From the bottom of our hearts we’d like to thank Kaspersky Lab for being with us on the turning point of our lives and sharing our spirit of adventure!”

The expedition marks the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth as well as demonstrating the potential for greater international understanding and exchange and highlights the achievements of women across the World.

For more information and photos...
Use our Online Resource for press images and documents relating to the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antartic Expedition. This can be found online by clicking the link below. More images will be added as the team progress.

Please login using the following email address and password.

- Username: guest@guest.com
- Password: guest
- kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.glasnost21.com

Arrange an interview
To arrange interviews with any members of the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition team please contact Kate Gedge on 01874 730300 or email pr@commonwealthexpedition.com

Follow the Team on the ice!
You can keep up to speed with daily blogs, regular PodCasts and live Twitter updates by following the link below to our website: kasperskycommonwealthexpedition.com

Pre-departure press conference for the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:15:05 GMT

29.10.09

You or your representative are invited to attend the pre-departure press conference for the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition at The Commonwealth Club (home of the Royal Commonwealth Society), Northumberland Avenue, London WC2 on Monday, 2 November at 10.30am.

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition will see women from eight countries – Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, Ghana, India, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom – brave blizzards, crevasses and temperatures below minus 40°as they ski 900 kilometres to the Geographic South Pole. The expedition marks the 60^th anniversary of the Commonwealth as well as demonstrating the potential for greater international understanding and exchange, and highlighting the achievements of women across the World.

The Royal Commonwealth Society will open the proceedings before Felicity Aston, expedition leader, introduces her team and describes how the dream of taking a group of women to the South Pole has become a reality with months of meticulous planning and preparation. Sophia Pang, from Singapore, will outline the important outreach programme associated with the expedition and Stephanie Solomonides from Cyprus will emphasise the Commonwealth’s aims, mirrored by the expedition, to foster international co-operation and understanding.

The Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition will be a life-changing experience for all the women involved, made possible by the generous sponsorship of Kaspersky Lab who will be represented at the conference by Roger Wilson, Vice-President of Kaspersky Lab’s Marketing Division. The team members from Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, Ghana and Jamaica will be the first person from their nation, male or female, to ski to the South Pole. Those from India, New Zealand and Singapore will be the first women from their nation to make this symbolic and prestigious journey.

This will be the last chance to speak to the women before they leave for Antarctica so if you would like to come and join us for the start of this extraordinary journey or would like to set up an interview to coincide with the conference, please contact Kate Gedge at kr.pr@btinternet.com or 00 44 (0)1874 730300.

Kind regards

Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition

International Launch Of The Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:15:05 GMT

Singapore member secures funding from Kaspersky Lab for the entire team!

15 September, 2009 [Singapore] - Months before reaching the ice of Antarctica, the Commonwealth Women’s team already faced an enormous challenge. If the team could not secure adequate funding then their ambition of reaching the South Pole would remain a dream. Hundreds of hours of training and planning were at risk if the eight team members failed to raise the money and support they needed.

Now with the help of Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content management systems, the eight women from Commonwealth countries have the money and the support to ensure that their amazing quest goes ahead.

At the official launch of what will be known as the Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition, eight of the team members came together to celebrate the realisation of their dream which will take them to the bottom of the world by January 2010.

Team leader Felicity Aston said the support of Kaspersky Lab could not have come at a better time.

“The team has been selected for months, but at the back of our minds was the fear that without funding, the expedition may be delayed or even cancelled. Thanks to Kaspersky Lab our team is going to the South Pole. We can now focus on our training, with the peace of mind that our essential funding is secure. And we are confident we will make the citizens of each of our eight nations proud of us,” Ms Aston said.

The approach to Kaspersky Lab was made by Singaporean team member Sophia Pang, who knew the company from her role as an IT consultant.

“At first I was hoping Kaspersky Lab would support my ambition to be the first Singaporean women to reach the South Pole. When Kaspersky Lab agreed to sponsor the entire team, I simply jumped for joy,” Ms Pang said.

Harry Cheung, Managing Director of Kaspersky Lab, Asia Pacific said, “Every day Kaspersky Lab’s staff overcome the challenges of cyber crime, computer malware and IT threats in order to keep our customers secure. That’s why we responded to the aspirations of this expedition. Ambition and the desire to overcome obstacles are qualities Kaspersky Lab shares with the women in this team.”

The team was selected from more than 800 applicants with members from eight Commonwealth nations: Britain, Brunei, Cyprus, Ghana, India, Jamaica, New Zealand and Singapore.

The expedition will meet and depart from the United Kingdom on 10 November 2009. The women will then set out from the coast of Antarctica and ski to the South Pole. They will travel some 900km across the most hostile environment on Earth, enduring temperatures of minus 40 degrees centigrade, with winds that reach speeds of over 80mph, dangerous crevasses under the ice and disorientating blizzards which last for days at a time.

The women will be pulling sledges containing all the food, fuel and equipment they will need for their journey. Camping in tents on the ice when they sleep, they will survive on lightweight dehydrated rations and melted snow. Unguided, they will need to rely on each other to navigate themselves safely to the South Pole.

When the team reaches the South Pole by new years day, the team members from Cyprus, Ghana, Brunei Darussalam and Jamaica, will be the first representative of their nation (male or female) to ski to the South Pole, while the team members from India, Singapore and New Zealand will be the first women of their nation to ski to the South Pole.

The teams will be blogging daily during the expedition. Every day an audio recording and a text blog will come back from the team. All those interested will be able to follow the expedition in real time at www.commonwealthexpedition.com as well as www.kklub.net using interactive maps, podcasts, and Twitter messages.

CONTACT: Lorraine Chua Gun, Suk Ling

Rubicon Consulting Kaspersky Lab, Southeast Asia

Tel: +65 6465 3028 Tel: +603 7958 3545

Mob: +65 9819 9151 Fax: +603 7958 3645

lorriane@rubicon.com.sg

sukling.gun@kasperskyasia.com