Sue Stockdale (born August 1966) is a British polar adventurer, athlete and motivational speaker. She became the first British woman to ski to the Magnetic North Pole in 1996 during an expedition led by David Hempleman Adams. Early life Stockdale was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and attended Firrhill High School. She became interested in sport after being inspired by her PE teacher Margot Wells, whose husband Allan Wells won the Olympic 100m title in Moscow in 1980. She became a member of Edinburgh Southern Harriers, and represented the club in many competitions including the European Clubs Cross Country Championships in Clusone, Italy in 1987. Sue went on to represent Scotland in 3000m indoor and cross-country events in 1989 and 1991. Stockdale's interest in adventure was sparked when she took part in an Operation Raleigh expedition to Kenya in 1988. The mission saw Stockdale spend three months carrying out scientific, community and adventure projects, and marked the beginning of a keen interest in exploration. Expeditions “The Ultimate Challenge” In 1995, Stockdale responded to an advert looking for “10 novice Arctic explorers” to attempt to ski to the North Pole. The expedition was led by renowned adventurer David Hempleman-Adams, the first person to reach both the Geographic and Magnetic North and South Poles. Stockdale was selected for the team from 500 applicants, and undertook the challenge with national pride, stating before the expedition, “I have to do this, not just for myself, but for Scotland.” The team, which featured fellow Scot and explorer Josh Wishart as co-team leader, completed the expedition to the Magnetic North Pole a year later in 1996. The expedition lasted a month, and saw Stockdale make history as she became the first British woman to reach the Magnetic North Pole at age 29. Further expeditions In October 1996, Stockdale returned to her roots and reunited with Raleigh International. This time, she was Deputy Expedition Leader during a 3-month stint in Chile. From there, she joined Robert Swan as a mentor on his UNESCO “One Step Beyond Expedition” to Antarctica. The expedition saw 35 young people from 25 countries sail down to Antarctica on board the Professor Khromov, and work on a number of cultural and environmental initiatives. Stockdale then joined an International expedition to the Geographical North Pole in 1998, led by Victor Boyarsky, which covered the last degree from 89 degrees to the North Pole from Ice