Val d'Isère is supporting polar science By joining forces with the Under Antarctica expedition

After 42 days of expedition and nearly 1,800 kilometres covered since their departure on 3 November 2025, Heïdi Sevestre and Matthieu Tordeur reached the Pole of Inaccessibility, one of the most remote places on Earth and the point in Antarctica furthest from any coastline.

This arrival marks a major milestone for the Under Antarctica expedition. It is the fifth expedition worldwide and the first French expedition to reach this site by kite-ski. To our knowledge, Heïdi Sevestre also becomes the first woman to reach the Soviet Pole of Inaccessibility using this mode of travel. The last human presence at this site dates back to 2023, when it was accessed by aircraft.

On site, the scientific team was able to deploy ground-penetrating radar around the former Soviet research station, now buried beneath ice and snow, in order to better understand what lies beneath the surface of the ice sheet, a valuable step forward for polar research and for understanding glacial dynamics.

After reaching the Geographic South Pole, the mythical point marking the Earth’s axis of rotation, Heïdi Sevestre and Matthieu Tordeur continued their journey across the Antarctic continent. On site, they carried out new scientific measurements before setting off on the final stretch of the expedition towards Hercules Inlet, the finishing point of their crossing.

Along this final section, conditions proved particularly demanding: heavily overcast skies, difficulties recharging scientific batteries, and occasional interruptions to communications. Despite these constraints, the team was able to redeploy the deep radar, reaching depths of up to 110 metres, to image the internal layers of the ice and map the bedrock beneath the Antarctic ice sheet.

After reaching the Geographic South Pole, Heïdi Sevestre and Matthieu Tordeur set off on the final stage of their crossing. Conditions became increasingly harsh: violent winds, an extremely hard, icy surface, and demanding progress all the way to the final kilometres. On several occasions, they were forced to adapt their pace, at times remaining confined to their tent while waiting for the weather to ease.

As they neared the Antarctic coast, the Ellsworth Mountains appeared on the horizon, signalling that the end of the expedition was close. The approach to Hercules Inlet, on the Filchner–Ronne Ice Shelf, proved particularly delicate due to the presence of numerous crevasses. On the day of arrival, despite extreme vigilance and unpredictable winds, the two explorers skied the final kilometres, hauling their pulkas.

On 21 January 2026 at 8:50 pm (French time), after 80 days of expedition and 4,000 kilometres covered, they reached Hercules Inlet. Under Antarctica thus becomes the first French crossing of the Antarctic interior by kite-ski and the first kite-ski expedition dedicated to polar science.