When you’re planning an Arctic expedition the most important thing is your crew. When Shackleton asked for his crew he made it clear what kind of people he needed:

“Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honour and recognition in case of success.”

Now I’m looking for one last crew member to join me on the Old Pulteney Row to the Pole Challenge. It won’t be as dangerous as Shackleton’s adventure but there will be plenty of excitement, adventure and opportunities to test your mettle and physical stamina.

Find out more about what’s in store on the expedition by having a go at the game above. If that gets your adrenaline going then download the application form and apply. But if the thought of rowing in the icy waters gives you a chill then you can still win a bottle of Old Pulteney Single Malt to warm you up again.

I was delighted to attend the America's Cup reunion of the 12 meter class which, until 1987 when the races were held in Free Mantle, Australia, was the boat so long associated with one of the greatest sporting events of all time.

These boats are no longer raced in the event but are the preserve and race horses of multi millionaires. Some of whom are spending more on them than they ever did when raced for the event proper.

I was asked to navigate the British boat the Victory ’83 previously owned by Peter de Savery, in the North American championships held prior to the reunion itself. She was world champion last year so we had high hopes of repeating that success

We won the first race by a long way but then we lost the rub of the green and eventually finished third.

The final event of the reunion was a dinner attended by 800 people and celebrities attending included such luminaries as Ted Turner the American billionaire and founder of CNN who now owns the largest ranch in the United States. On the final day we had a celebrity race and Peter de Savery the former owner joined us for the day.

It was great navigating practice which I’m sure will stand me in good stead for next year in the trickier waters of the Arctic.

Gary Walker, who has been with me on so many of my expeditions, will be on the camera boat which will be overseeing our progress on the first few days of the Row to the Pole Expedition next August.

Gary has just taken delivery of the Arctic charts and I spent some time with him in Dartmouth pouring over the route to the pole.

Also on display was his other new boat a classic 50 footer, built in Dartmouth in 1953, which he has just bought and is lovingly restoring.

I was delighted to be on board when we took part in the classic sail past on the final day of the regatta.