The Desert Trek Challenge, supported by leading commercial space company Sierra Space, sees 100 intrepid individuals raise funds to support good work worldwide.
Dubai, UAE (16 November 2022) – A six-time Olympic sprint cycling champion, a World Cup-winning cricket captain, a Rugby World Cup winner, a record-breaking mountaineer and a NASA astronaut with four decades of experience are all taking on a 100km Desert Trek for good!
Over the next four days, Chris Hoy, Steve Waugh, Bryan Habana, Annabelle Bond and Steve Lindsey will lead a group of 100 fundraisers across 100km of wildly varying terrain across the United Arab Emirates for the Laureus Challenge 2022, presented by Sierra Space.
The goal is to raise funds to support the work of Laureus programmes around the world. Last year alone, Laureus supported over 275 programmes in more than 50 countries and territories, making a positive impact on the lives of over 250,000 young people.
The Challenge begins in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve before climbing into the Hatta Mountains and crossing the picturesque wadis – valleys – of the Sharjah Emirate. This unique adventure is supported by Sierra Space, the leading commercial space company – and the Challenge will include camps under desert dark skies that will bring the challengers a unique perspective on the stars above.
Steve Lindsey, a former NASA astronaut with more than 40 years’ experience, now CTO and SVP for Advanced Programs at Sierra Space, is relishing a new Challenge in the UAE.
“The next great industrial revolution is happening in space, just 250 miles above our heads, and Sierra Space wishes to enable the next generation of bold, courageous and talented young people to power this burgeoning Orbital Age,” said Steve.
“This year’s Laureus Challenge will lay the foundation for helping disadvantaged children and young people around the world to gain access to education and find meaningful pathways to employment as we build platforms in space to benefit life on Earth.”
Laureus Academy member Bryan Habana was newly retired from one of rugby’s most spectacular careers when he took on the 2019 Challenge through the Drakensberg Mountains in his native South Africa. As a veteran of the last Laureus Challenge, he was never going to turn down the chance to gain another incredible life experience while supporting the Sport for Good cause.
“I had no concept of what a profound impact those four days would have on me; no understanding of the incredible bonds and friendships that would be formed,” he said. “This is about showing what Laureus Sport for Good is all about and having an incredible impact through sport.”
Habana was joined in Dubai by Steve Waugh, Australian cricket’s World Cup-winning captain. As a fellow member of the Laureus Academy, Waugh knows all about the programmes he will be supporting as he sets out on a once-in-a-lifetime trek.
“Laureus Sport for Good supports programmes in over 50 countries around the world. I’ve been to a number of them and I know that the impact these programmes make on young people’s lives,” said Steve. “That’s really important when you’re walking for a charity – to know what you’re doing and who you’re doing it for. It’s a small token of pain for me to have a few blisters and sore muscles.”
Chris Hoy is used to meeting his sporting goals on two wheels, having won six Olympic cycling golds in a legendary career. And he knows there will be no escape from the demands of the desert once the Laureus Challenge begins.
“To be on your feet for 11 or 12 hours a day, walking in sand in the heat and not having the luxury of going back to your house or hotel and having a nice warm shower – that will be tough, but I’m really excited about it,” he said. “It’s going to be challenge for all of us, but we’re going out there with a purpose in mind.”
If they need any words of wisdom on the Laureus Challenge 2022, presented by Sierra Space, Chris, Bryan, Steve and Steve can turn to Annabelle Bond, experienced adventurer who made history by becoming the fastest woman to climb all of mountaineering’s Seven Summits in 2003.
Ahead of the Laureus Challenge 2022, presented by Sierra Space, Annabelle said: “It’s incredible to be here in the UAE with these inspiring individuals who all share a common believe in Laureus and the impact sport can have. Later today, we’ll all be stepping onto the sand and out of our comfort zones. We’ll walk 100km, forge relationships that will last a lifetime, and do our bit to help prove that sport can have the power to change the world.”
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