Leamington woman determined to be England’s first to cross 1,000 miles of Arctic desert

But for Leamington fitness instructor Leila Javardi, who has a rare thirst for adventure and the extreme, it is just the beginning of a world-class challenge.

The 25-year-old, who works at Newbold Comyn Leisure Centre, is heading off this week to the Arctic for the second year running, where she will face average temperatures of -40 degrees celcius and the dangers of bears, moose and wolves attacking, as part of training for her attempt to become the first English woman to complete the Yukon Quest - a 1,000-mile dog sled race across the snow desert.

Speaking before she left, she said: “I am looking forward to it just being me, the dogs, the wolves, moose and Northern Lights. It is really romantic. The dogs just howl, which is really surreal.”

Miss Javardi will attempt the challenge in the winter of 2012, but she must first complete 200-mile and 300-mile races with a team of 12 dogs - both of which she will attempt this December, when there are typically only three hours of daylight each day.

Although there will be other competitors, they will be spread out across 300 miles of desert, so it will in reality be a one-woman experience, with the longer race taking up to four days.

Before and inbetween the races, Miss Javardi will live in a cabin with former dog sledding world champion Bill Cotter, who will leave 40 huskies under her charge - and work her hard.

She said: “Bill said the only reason he was interested in me is because I was an English Tae Kwon Do champion and he knew he could test me. That’s a bit scary!

“It’s all about proving I can dog sled so next year I can do the quest. Everything I have set out to do, I have done so far.

“I can learn how to do what I need to or learn from my mistakes if I make them. You have got to believe you can do it.”

Miss Javardi, who went on a four-week expedition to the Gates of the Arctic in March, will, during the races, sleep in her sled rather than a tent so she can keep her weight down and survive on dried foods and snow.

She will carry a gun to protect herself and the dogs from bears and moose - and if she gets stuck in the snow, she may have to hunt for food.

She said: “There is nothing wrong with being afraid, but you have to understand that it’s a physiological response and that you can deal with the situation.

“This will be my first Christmas away from my family. But they’re getting used to me doing things like this.

“I like physical work and being outdoors. Going to sleep knowing your body is aching and waking up with it aching even more, but still carrying on with your work is very hard, but you get a great sense of achievement and independence. It’s really rewarding.”