Mubarak Al-Swailim, right, and Ibrahim Al-Sayad. (AN photo by Ahed Al-Shihawi)

JEDDAH, 7 March 2004 — Two Saudi skydivers set off tomorrow to find adventure at the North Pole.

The expedition is the first from the Arab world, said Mubarak Al-Swailim, 34, and Ibrahim Al-Sayad, 45, both professional skydivers.

Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal received them at his office and wished them a safe expedition. “I’m proud of you both and hope such adventures will encourage other young Saudis to follow suit,” the governor told them.

Four years ago, the twosome successfully attempted a skydiving adventure covering the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Egypt.

The North Pole currently has a six-month period of daylight. “So we’re confident of making our mission a success,” Al-Swailim said.

Both belong to the Saudi Aviation Club.

“We’ve been preparing for the last eight months,” Al-Swailim said.

Discussing arrangements with the organizers, signing a sponsorship agreement and obtaining clearance from the club and official agencies have been part of the preparations.

Al-Sayad, a veteran of the sport, has been skydiving for 25 years.

International skydivers have been going to the North Pole since 1991. Perhaps no other destination is as exciting for skydivers. “We expect it to be full of challenges and hence have undergone tremendous mental and physical preparations to face them,” Al-Swailim said.

“The central theme of our adventure to the North Pole is to spread the message that we’re a nation of peace and ours is a land of prosperity and generosity,” Al-Swailim said.

They will go to Oslo and then on to Longyearbyen, Svalbard on April 14. Two days later the team will fly to a drifting ice base, a short distance from the geographic North Pole. The next day, the team will fly to the exact North Pole by helicopter and skydive over it. They will return by helicopter to the base camp and end the trip on April 20.