Cognizant has signed up as headline sponsor of British Army Captain Harpreet Chandi’s attempt to become the first woman to cross Antarctica solo and unsupported.

Known as ‘Polar Preet’, Captain Chandi is already the first woman of ethnic origin to make a solo, unsupported expedition to the South Pole, achieving this goal in January 2022.

Now she is taking on an even bigger challenge: crossing the entire continent of Antarctica— approximately 1,000 miles—alone, pulling her entire stock of supplies on a pulk (sled) weighing close to 120 kilograms at the start of her journey. In doing so she will face temperatures as low as -50°c and wind speeds of up to 60mph.

Yatin Mahandru, Head of Public Sector and Health for Cognizant UK and Ireland, applauded Polar Preet for her courage, skill and determination, noting that her motto ‘Nothing is impossible’ echoes Cognizant’s own ethos of ‘Always strive, never settle.’

“All of us have it within us to achieve great things, but sometimes we need role models to show us the way,” he said. “Polar Preet is a true role model, showing that no matter your background, gender or origin, you can break the mould and achieve things you’ve been told aren’t possible.”

Read more about Cognizant’s sponsorship of Polar Preet’s inspirational journey here.