Expeditions
In 2000, Michael and Fiona became the first married couple to reach the South Pole, along with Catherine Hartley.
In 2001, Mike and Fiona set up an expedition to reach the North Pole, raising money for charity in the process. Guiding them was Canadian mountaineer and arctic adventurer Paul Landry. They reached their destination in 56 days.
Fiona's greatest feat came in 2004 though, when she reached the South Pole on the 10th January, beating her rival Rosie Stancer in the process. The previous record was 44 days, and the previous best for a woman was 50 days - by the Norwegian Liv Arneson. Walking 22 miles a day, Fiona had to pull a sledge weighing 285 pounds, and her success is perhaps even more remarkable considering she lost her satellite navigation system 10 days in.
As news reached home she was congratulated by friends and family, and husband Mike was part of a party racing to meet her on Antarctica.
Read more about this topic: Fiona Thornewill