Author Archives: winneras

Men of Action: Racing At The Top Of The World

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The North Pole Marathon took place this Easter weekend, which combines polar adventure with marathon running – the perfect environment for Men of Action.

Now in its eighth year, the UVU North Pole Marathon is the only run to take place entirely on water (the frozen water of the Arctic Ocean). The circular route is 26.6 miles and competitors must run this ten times.

Irish novelist Michael Collins, a past competitor describes the course:

‘It’s the most amazing extreme marathon I have ever run. It brought runners to the limits of their endurance and lived up to its billing in every respect, affording athletes a chance to run and feel on top of the world’

This year proved to be an exciting challenge for all competitors involved. This year’s Men’s winner, Andre Murray finished in an extraordinary time of 4 hours, 17 minutes and 8 seconds. The fastest woman in the race was Demelza Farr, who finished with a time of 6 hours, 6 minutes and 36 seconds.

This year’s winner describes the event:

Most of the competitors have already returned home. Average temperatures can reach -35C, but the views that competitors were lucky enough to see counters this to some degree. This is a marathon that combines the harsh environment with natural, undisturbed beauty and completing this is a remarkable achievement.

Remembering Davy Crockett, Irish Hero and Man of Action

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Our latest trip to San Antonio, Texas has been proof that Irish communities thrive all over the world. Like The Wild Geese, these communities dream of one day returning to Ireland. 


Some of the people we met over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend in San Antonio are planning to travel to visit Ireland. To this, they need to travel over 4000 miles and make 3 different flight connections. But the draw of ‘home’ is enough to get them there. 

Forty men of Irish descent died at The Battle of The Alamo, who fought for freedom and liberty. With these men was Davy Crockett, the courageous solider and folk hero who dreamed of an independent Texas. 


He promised to defend the freedom of Texas and was forced into a siege at The Alamo. Bombarded by heavy artillery, Crockett and his followers were forced into a hand to hand fight. They were relentless and chose to give their lives for a free Texas. 

Today these men are remembered everyday at The Alamo, where people from all corners of the world visit each day. 

San Antonio epitomises a modern day chapter of The Wild Geese story and illustrates the fact that THE WILD GEESE IRISH SOLDIERS & HEROES brand and the experience of Irish people are one and the same. 



Men of Action: European Adventurer of the Year on the Search to Continue Conservation Work

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It has been announced this month that Ed Stafford, a modern day adventure and Man of Action has joined the search for the next generation of environmental reporting. 

Working with Together for Trees, a partnership that works to conserve the world’s rain forests, the competition seeks a new rainforest reporter who can highlight issues of conservation. 
Ed was named the European Adventurer of the Year in 2011 by the National Geographic Society, after spending two and half years in the Amazon region. This expedition, which he started in April 2008, lead him along the Amazon river, from its source to the Brazilian coast, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. During this time, he raised awareness of the threats to rainforest environments and 
He’s an ideal candidate to judge this competition:
There are few people who know these environments quite like Ed. He walked the 4000 mile length of the Amazon river in 859 days, which is an astonishing feat. 
Even before he set off, most people had already written the former army captain off. Many critics said Ed would likely die on the trek or be forced to abandon it.  
But he marched through dangerous animals, harsh terrain, and local indigenous people, many of which had never seen a westerner before.
Ed and his guide, a Peruvian forestry worker named Gadiel ‘Cho’ Rivera, were detained, threatened and chased by some of the local communities.
But one tribe’s chief agreed to travel with them across their native lands. 
Ed and Cho on their journey
The high and low points all culminated in a tremendous adventure. Spurred on by the thought of becoming the first man to achieve this feat and his undying passion for protecting rainforest environments, Ed reached the end in August 2010. 
This positive energy will be a key component in judging Together For Trees’ competition. We’re really looking forward to his next expedition, which he had planned to start in 2012. 
For more information about the Together For Trees competition, visit www.tesco.com/trees. 

Men of Action: Ireland Secure Win at the Six Nations

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Ireland 32 – 14 Scotland

Ireland found itself in an intense battle in the Six Nations rugby last Saturday. With each team leaving their previous match without a win, a victory was vital to progression in the 2012 championship.

Ireland had a significantly strong start to the game. But it wasn’t without it’s challenges. The Irish team had lost it’s first two captains due to injury. With Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell on the bench, many critics thought the team would fall apart. This is something Ireland’s lock, Donnch O’Callaghan recognised going in to last weekend’s match:

‘It’s important that when there’s a bit of a void, other people step up and that’s what happened throughout the team against Scotland’

Ireland was not short of stars during the game. Captain Rory Best, Eoin Reddan and Andrew Trimble all scored tries in the first half, securing a strong lead for Ireland going into the second half. 
Stepping up to the captaincy must have been daunting for Rory Best. But he kept calm and issued a thoughtful game plan. His early decision to kick to the corner instead of trying for three points was a risky manoeuvre. But Best followed the thought through, which resulted in the first try of the game and set the pace for the remainder. 
Rory Best
Most importantly, his team had confidence in him. Ireland’s blindside flanker, Stephen Ferris outlines this:
But the moment of the match came from Richie Gray, who ended a 30 metre run to the line with a try. A tight second half was out to rest with a try from Fergus McFadden, which secured the win for Ireland. 
Rory Best was very pleased with the final result especially because ‘to score 32 points against the Scottish team you take a lot of confidence into next week’, when Ireland meets England at Twickenham. It will certainly be a St. Patrick’s Day to remember. 
For coach Declan Kidney, Saturday’s win is an opportunity to measure Ireland’s progress:
The celebrations will be short as preparation for next Saturday’s match begins. Like The Wild Geese, the team will be looking toward the nation they represent. 
Congratulations to the entire team for a very impressive win!

Men of Action: Argus Cycle Tour 2012, Cape Town

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This Sunday is the annual Argus Cycle Race, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa.

This is a unique opportunity for cycles to come together and challenge themselves to compete in one f the world’s largest sporting events. 31,000 cyclists are expected to take part and will each challenge themselves to finish the 109km which will take them through some of the Cape’s most mesmerising scenery.

People from all walks of life have been training hard for the race. Each face is there for their own reasons, whether its for the exhilaration of the competition, a personal challenge, or to raise awareness for a cause close to their hearts. 

Rick Lawrence’s team, ‘Race for Rhinos’ is taking action to raise money for the protection of rhinos from poaching in South Africa:
They have already received a great deal of support from local businesses and have choses the Argus race as a springboard for growing support for the charity. Their project seeks to grow a sustainable habitat, where the critically endangered Black Rhino in KwaZulu-Natal, a province of South Africa. In this habitat, the animals will be able to roam freely and grow their numbers in safety. 
They will make up a significant portion of the race competitors, as Lawrence outlines:
Another competitor is Helen Harder, who is battling cancer. She was diagnosed in February 2011 and at last year’s Argus Cycle Tour her boyfriend, Alwyn Badenhorst completed the race in honour of her. This year, she is planning to complete it with him. 
Really inspiring. The Argus Cycle Tour is not just an environment to raise awareness, but also to test oneself. Although she’s nervous, Helen is going into the race with a positive attitude:

If you want to see the race route, a collaborative project has produced a video that take you along the route in just under ten minutes.

Made by Game On and Rockets Compression Sportswear, both based in South Africa, the video was made by driving the entire Argus Route and then editing the clip to speed up the footage. The route looks tough, but we’re sure the atmosphere will be buzzing on March 11th when the competitors cycle the 109km route and wish them all the best of luck!

Modern Day Herald: Remembering Rémi Ochlik

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Rémi Ochlik
16 October 1983 – 22 February 2012

Over the past week, many words have been attributed to Rémi Ochlik, the French photographer who died in a Syrian bombing. Perfectionist. Cool-headed guy. Hero. But Bruno Stevens, one of Rémi’s colleagues prefers the word ‘Herald’:


And that he did. Ochlik was truly a Man of Action, and sought out modern front lines to capture the attrocities and injustices that take place beyond our television screens. If his associate Marie Colvin gave the innocent a voice, Ochlik fought to give them a face. This face changed many times over his career, from rioting in Haiti to protesting in Libya, but the message remained constant: the struggle of the oppressed. 


Rémi’s commitment won him critical acclaim at this year’s World Press Photo contest. His ‘Battle for Libya’ collection of photographs won the first prize in the General News category. 

But there was no time for celebration and congratulations. This only spurred Rémi on to work harder and be better. 


His friend at Paris Match remembers:


Tragically, Rémi won’t see the World Press awards ceremony in April, but we’re sure he will be remembered and celebrated. Rémi was truly one of the most talented photojournalists around. Jean-François Leroy, the head of the major international photojournalism festival Visa Pour L’lmage remembers the exciting potential Rémi showed from the outset. 

An example of Remi’s early work in Haiti
He invigorated the industry, breaking new frontiers and exposing brutally real images. But this fire will not burn out, as Bruno Stevens concludes his tribute:

Giving a Voice to the Voiceless: Remembering Marie Colvin

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Marie Colvin 
12 January 1956 – 22 February 2012

Today we honour the courageous Marie Colvin, a front line journalist who was impassioned to bring truth to readers around the world. She was recently killed while reporting on the crisis in Syria when her building was bombed. She died alongside French photographer Rémi Ochlik, who was on hand to document images of the conflict. 

No stranger to the intense demands of the front line, Marie placed herself in incredible to danger in order to fulfil a personal goal of hers. In 2001, while reporting on the conflict between government forces and rebel Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, Marie lost the sight in her left eye following an attack.

This was a time for her to reflect on the choices she was making. Undeterred, she continued to commit herself to her life’s work.

For Marie, conflict was a human story, rather than a political or religious one. And it had human consequences.

Although her words resonated across the world, and her style became synonymous with the truth, Marie was someone who took action. Fearless and heroic, she judged the impact of conflict on innocents to be unfair. In 1999, while reporting in East Timor, she refused to leave a besieged compound which was being attacked by Indonesian-backed forces. The compound had 1,500 women and children inside – innocents who could not be ignored. Marie stayed with an unarmed UN force, and reported her experiences to the world. With the global community watching the events unfold, she was able to help secure evacuation of all 1,500 people after a tumultuous four days.

We jon the international community in remembering and celebrating her life.

Lord Justice Leveson said:

Her friend and fellow journalist Jim Muir wrote:

We thank her for humanising the news. We remember for her courage. We celebrate her for her action.

Oscars 2012 Round-Up

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This weekend will see the close of the awards season, with the prestigious Oscars ceremony taking place on Sunday 26th February.

Here’s a reminder of some of the nominees.

Actor In A Leading Role
George Clooney
The Descendants
Jean Dujardin
The Artist
Gary Oldman
Tinker Tailor Solider Spy
Brad Pitt
Moneyball

Damián Bichir

A Better Life

Actress In A Leading Role 

Meryl Streep
The Iron Lady

Rooney Mara
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo


Glenn Close
Albert Nobbs


Michelle Williams
My Week With Marilyn 

Viola Davis

The Help
We’ve secretly got our fingers crossed that this will be George Clooney’s year to take home the prestigious statuette. This is Clooney’s third oscar nomination fro Best Actor, but although he’s still at the top of his game both behind and in front of the camera, he’s never taken the award home. 

You can see the full list of awards nominations over at the Oscars website. It’s certainly shaped up to be an excellent 12 months for cinema, which will be celebrated this weekend. However this one goes, congratulations to all the nominees. 

Team of Heroines Cross the Atlantic in 45 Days

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Julia Immonen decided it was time to take action. Shocked by the fact that human trafficking is still a global issue, she brought a team of five women together to raise money to help the modern day fight for Freedom For Everyone. At first, the all-female team elicited mixed responses:

The director’s assistant at Sky Sports News searched far and wide for a team to complete a 2,613 mile journey from the Canary Islands to Barbados. Her recruits came from all corners of the world, from Ireland to Dubai and barely knew each other when they took to the water. The team evolved into Row For Freedom, and raised money for two anti-trafficking charities – A21 Campaign and ECPAT UK.

The Row For Freedom team: Kate Richardson, Debbie Beadle,
Julia Immonen, Kate Pattison-Hart and Helen Leigh
The team left the Canary Islands in December 2011 and were determined to prove they could walk the walk. 
Their journey across the Atlantic was intense. Fittingly, the ladies chose a route that was used in the early slave trade and faced 50ft waves and were rowing 24 hours a day. 
- Julia
Unpredictable weather conditions was not their only challenge. The auto helm, which helps steer the boat broke, and within days of setting off,  their hydration equipment also broke which meant they had to spend up to 20 hours a day producing drinkable water with a hand pump. 
But the ladies persevered, and relentlessly continued their trek to Barbados, never capsizing and appreciating both the peaks and troths of their adventure. 
The ladies completed their challenge in 45 days, 15 hours, 26 minutes. Astonishing. But that wasn’t all. Not only were they the first five woman team to cross the Atlantic, but also the fastest female team to do so. 
Their story reminds us of The Wild Geese, who also faced testing seas to pursue their own sense of freedom. Like The Wild Geese, the Row For Freedom team also bonded on their adventure, and not only had to pull together to complete their challenge, but were also each others’ support and safety nets. 
Debbie Beadle admitted: ‘We got to know each other very well’. Especially when the chaffing made their skin sore. At times, the women abandoned all modesty and rowed naked! 
This camaraderie and the support network the women built up is incredibly inspiring. Two challenges faced the Row For Freedom team: the physical journey and the mental one. As they worked together as a team to defeat the physical challenge, they turned to one another like family to combat the mental one.  We think of 1691, when The Wild Geese had to support each other as they journeyed to new lands. The support of a friend and comrade is priceless. 
On reflection of the journey, Julia says:
They have so far raised between £60,000 and £70,000 and are planning a similar challenge in North Africa. To donate to this inspiring cause, you can visit www.rowforfreedom.com/donate.

Men of Action: Irish Man Steve Redmond One Stroke Closer to Completing Ocean’s 7 Challenge

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Irish man Steve Redmond is getting closer to becoming the first person to complete the tasking Ocean’s 7 Challenge, which is the water equivalent of the Seven Summit challenge.

As one of the toughest swimming marathons, the Ocean’s 7 has never been completed. It demands endurance and dedication, as well as a rare mental conditioning. 
Competitors must swim:
  – the North Channel (also known as the Irish Channel)
 - Cook Strait, the stretch of water between the north and south islands of New Zealand
 - Molokai Channel, Hawaii
 - English Channel 
 - Catalina Channel, off the coast of California
 - Tsugaru Strait, Japan
 - Strait of Gibraltar

This means the Ocean’s 7 provides various swimming conditions, from very cold to warm seas and strong currents to stiff winds. Theses conditions may also change depending on the time of year. 

ENDURANCE

Like the Seven Summits challenge, the Ocean’s 7 can take place over a number of years. Steve Redmond began his attempt in 2009, when he swam the English Channel. Next he tackled the North Channel, starting in Scotland and ending in Belfast harbour in 2010, and became only the second person to complete the 35km swim. Amazingly, he completed this on his first attempt! 
Last Friday, Redmond got a little bit further to completing the Ocean’s 7 challenge, by swimming the Cook Strait between New Zealand’s north and south islands. Although he claims he had ‘an awful lot of luck’, theres clearly more to it than that.

A member if his support crew, Eoin Darby said:
We can only imagine what this feels like. But, like The Wild Geese, endurance and dedication are parts of Redmond’s character. All he needed was something to strive for – to keep his mental state as vigorous as his physical one. 
For Patrick Sarsfield and The Wild Geese, this was the vision of Ireland. Their mutual love stayed with them and encouraged them through difficult times. For Redmond, he kept the thought of his two children with him with every stroke he took and focused on the autism centre in West cork, Ireland he is supporting. 
But that didn’t mean this swim was easy. 

COMMUNITY

Redmond’s support team are essential parts of completion the Ocean’s 7 Challenge.

He even had celebrated New Zealand ocean swimmer Phillip Rush travel alongside him in a boat, offering his support and expertise.

Steve’s story is not just one of endurance, but also one of community. This was essential to The Wild Geese, who integrated with different communities across the world, while also letting their Irish culture flourish. In New Zealand, the local Irish community gathered on the beach to wish him well and helped Steve with his accommodation.

Steve took just over twelve hours to complete the exhausting 26km swim, and averaged at 52 strokes a minute. Next on his agenda is the Molokai Channel in Hawaii and the Tsugaru Strait in Japan. Redmond certainly embodies the inspiring nature of The Wild Geese.

Steve Redmond’s route between the north and south islands of New Zealand