TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Tommy Chen (陳彥博), Taiwan Extreme Sports Athlete, clinched second place in the grueling Lapland Arctic Ultra, a Sweden 185 km non-stop polar crossing race, on Tuesday (March 3). Chen, representing Taiwan, completed the race in 1 day, 19 hours, and 3 minutes, becoming the first Asian and Taiwanese to achieve such a feat in this extreme competition.
Facing harsh conditions with temperatures plummeting to minus 30 degrees Celsius, Chen displayed remarkable resilience, maintaining his position as runner-up. He trailed the race leader, French athlete Mathieu Blanchard, by approximately 10 km during a crucial stage, advancing 110 km within 24 hours. Despite the challenging terrain, Chen managed to keep the Taiwanese flag flying high in Sweden's Arctic Circle.
Chen developed symptoms of trench foot due to excessive moisture in his footwear, posing a significant risk. He stated, "If moisture in the feet leads to bacterial infections and these progress to cellulitis, withdrawal from the competition becomes necessary." To combat this, Chen changed his socks at checkpoints to keep them dry and pressed on despite the pain.
The race course presented diverse challenges, ranging from dense forests to expansive icy rivers, with strong winds and ice crystals exacerbating the cold. Chen emphasized the importance of precise control over calorie intake and equipment condition to endure such conditions. By the 40th hour, he faced the extreme cold and darkness alone, pushing his physical and mental limits with a relentless spirit.