Disabled man 'safe and healthy' after polar trek

Jonny Huntington has said he is feeling "good, safe and healthy" after making history as the first disabled person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole.

Huntington, from Kingsbridge, Devon, said he was "very happy with with how everything turned out".

The para-skier, who has a paralysed left foot and limited mobility in his left leg, said he managed to complete the expedition through sheer determination and support from his team.

He covered 566 miles (911km) of Antarctic ice in 46 days despite the effects of a debilitating stroke he suffered in 2014.

"I'm surprised by how well I'm doing," he said from Antarctica.

"All the stuff that was hurting on the ice is now not hurting. I'm feeling really good. I'm feeling pretty rested.

"The main thing from my point of view is that I've achieved what I set out to do, and I'm feeling good, safe, healthy."

The 38-year-old set off from Fuchs-Messner on 21 November 2024 and arrived at the South Pole on Monday.

Throughout his expedition, he skied in extreme conditions, including freezing temperatures and 24-hour sunlight, while dragging a 242lb (110kg) sled carrying his food and equipment.

"You take the rough and the smooth and you just carry on one step at a time," he said.

He said the achievement was also testament to the support he received from his sister Claire Huntington and expedition manager Toby Cowern.

"It'll take quite a long time to really sink in, in terms of this whole trip, really," he said.

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].