Swiss woman reaches South Pole

Swiss sportswoman Evelyne Binsack has completed a gruelling trip from Switzerland to the South Pole.

Binsack arrived at her goal on December 28, her sponsor announced on Monday. It had taken her 454 days to cover 27,000 kilometers by bike and ski. She left Switzerland on September 1 2006.

The purpose of her “Expedition Antarctica” was to attract attention to such global problems as poverty, the destruction of the environment and climate change. She had spent three years preparing the trip.

Binsack was glad to have achieved her goal, but was totally exhausted, according to her website. The last few days had proved especially tough mentally, she reported.

She had prepared herself for the final stage across Antarctica by putting on ten kilograms, but during the crossing she lost twelve, despite taking in 5,500 calories per day.

She is expected to return to Switzerland on January 10.

Binsack, who is now aged 40, made headlines in 2001 when she became the first Swiss woman to climb Everest.