Blog Your Way to Antarctica: The Competition is Fierce
Over 5,000 People Have Cast their Vote for the Official Quark Blogger.
[06.09 - NORWALK, CT] In less than a week, more than 170 competitors have inspired 5,000 readers to cast votes that could send one entrant and companion on a USD$20,000 cruise to Antarctica, from February 20 to March 3, 2010.
There were five front runners as of June 29, 2009. Devorah Bennu, the current leader (June 29, 2009), has been blogging to the Science community for a number of years. Luis Monteiro is a radio host from Portugal. Aaron Weyenberg is a website designer from Canada. Timothy Smith is relying on his network of New York City astronomers to garner support. American Ty Jones uses his wry wit to attract votes. But the race is far from won, as the competition does not close until September 30, 2009.
In an unusual move designed to keep the competition fierce, voters are allowed to change their vote throughout the competition. Only one vote is permitted at a time, but once the voter is registered, he or she may change that vote for any reason.
Quark Expeditions VP of Marketing, Francesco Contini said, "There are a lot of talented competitors, most of whom are just ordinary people with a passion for Antarctica. Any one of them could become the Quark Blogger, if the public gets behind them."
This is an excerpt from Bennu's entry: "From the day I was born, I have prepared for adventures. After being made ward of the courts as a teenager, I worked my way through school doing anything from shovelling horse poop and breeding parrots to researching cancer and HIV/AIDS, ultimately earning my PhD in Zoology. While attending university, I studied whale poop (smelly!) and learned how hormones help birds cope with extreme environments, like the Arctic."
To read the full post, enter the competition or vote for the Official Quark Blogger visit www.blogyourwaytoantarctica.com.
