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North Pole Dominick: Covering the tracks?
17:30 p.m. EST Mar 24, 2004
Through this morning, we have received desperate mails from Finland begging us to do something. Just in this past hour we got the following mails: "I think most of the Finns have given up of finding Dominic. The search must continue! I hope you could do something for her, couldn't you???" writes Mari.
And: "I don't know what to think about this (article in Finnish newspaper), I feel so bad. The main problem is now that people believe these news, none wants to help no more and give money for search to Cerpolex" writes Raija.
While most of the Polar community are devastated that the search has been aborted, and several experienced polar skiers have voiced their concerns that it's too early, Cerpolex and Dominick's home team have convinced themselves and the Finnish media that there is no reason to continue the search.
The reports are only in Finnish, published on Dominick's and her employers websites.
Our Finnish readers translate:
"The official Russian announcement practically means that they think the search should now be over. The announcement from the Suomen Latu (Dom's employer)means that they too now believe that there is nothing to do. The Finnish police asked help from the Russian authorities. They authorities in Russia had a helicopter and searched for Dominick. They found her skiing track and followed it on skis. The track ended when they reached open sea water. The information came yesterday night to Finnish police authorities. The Russians were very sorry about the results of their research."
It is not clear when or where this search was conducted, or if they in fact, are referring to the first search two weeks ago.
Yesterday we presented facts why the search should continue. We have so far not received one single mail or phone call telling us that the story was in any part wrong. Instead we now watch the search for Dominick being transported from the ice to the media. Hinting, that this is all Dominick's fault. That she was inexperienced.
You cannot be inexperienced when you live in Northern Finland, work as a ski guide and go on your third North Pole expedition. That's more experience with the Arctic environment than all the current expeditions have.
We are devastated for Dominick and once again urge Cerpolex, her Finnish sponsors and Dom's home camp to not yet give up on a girl in a situation where there are no proof that she is still not alive - right in this minute.
Five expeditions set out for a North Pole expedition this year, all from the Russian side. A big open water lead just off the starting point posed the first immediate problem for this years expeditions. Two solo skiers, French/Finnish woman Dominick and Frenchman Frederic decided to ski/paddle across the huge, 55 km semi open water area, in an attempt for a clean North Pole expedition (which must start from land). The other teams opted for an air drop onto thick ice.
Frederic Chamard-Boudet, fell in the water and was rescued. He is treated for severe frostbite. Dominick is missing since March 5th. Her tracks were found disappearing in an open water section, which she had planned to paddle over. No traces of Dominick, her kayak, sleds or other gear have been found.
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