Martina Navratilova suspends Kilimanjaro climb
By DAILY NEWS Reporter/Agencies, 10th December 2010 @ 12:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 119
TENNIS legend Martina Navratilova has suspended her first attempt to climb Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania after feeling unwell on the fourth day of the ascent.
Martina was assisted down the mountain by porters and driven to the nearby Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) for assessment. She was in good spirits as she left the campsite at Horombo, but disappointed to have to leave the mountain.
Martina, who was leading a team of 27 climbers to raise funds for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation charity, had reached 4,500 metres during the day, the highest point of the climb so far.
The Laureus team have had to face unseasonal weather of blizzards and mists over the last few days. The climb began on Monday and she was due to reach the summit on Saturday.
The rest of the team are continuing with the climb. Earlier on Thursday, which was a day four of her ascend, Martina wrote on her blog: "Today we have headed south towards Horombo, crossing the dramatic and windswept Saddle, a barren plain of alpine desert between Mawenzi and Kibo, Kilimanjaro's two peaks.
"The weather is a little better, but the going is getting tougher and tougher. It seems to be constantly steep and as we started to approach the highest point yet, 4,500 metres above sea level, sheer exhaustion sets in for much of the group and with heavy legs and chests pounding due to lack of oxygen, every step becomes an effort.
"We followed a path stretching out ahead of us where we were supposed to enjoy breathtaking views of the mountain, but the swirling cloud is limiting that. "After reaching 4,500 metres, we were thankful to start heading down towards the Horombo campsite, at 3,700 metres, providing the opportunity for much needed rest and a chance to acclimatise.
"We have two days to go before we reach the summit and the group's mood is fluctuating between exhaustion and exhilaration. It has been tougher than I imagined, but that is when everyone has come together to support each other," she said on her blog.
Navratilova, a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy was attempting to scale the 5,895m peak, Africa's highest free standing mountain with a team of fundraisers including German Paralympic cyclist Michael Teuber and British badminton player Gail Emms.
Martina, who battled breast cancer earlier this year, is raising funds for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, a charity which supports community sports projects around the world, which have helped to improve the lives of over one million young people.