Gema Hassen-Bey is a Spanish Paralympic medallist in fencing and one of the few athletes who has competed in five Paralympic Games. Her philosophy is, “if you move, the world moves with you”, and her incredible achievements in sports and the arts certainly support that. This project will establish a competition to design and build a specialist wheelchair to aid Gema in her attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro.
Jose Maria Garteizgogeascoa, Industrial and Academic Liaison Officer for the Spain Group, is co-ordinating the competition. It is open to Spanish universities in the first instance, and will then widen to include the engineering departments of other European academic institutions. They will be invited to submit designs for a wheelchair, or similar human-powered vehicle, to enable and support Gema’s ascent of Kilimanjaro by the Marangu route. This includes forests in its lower reaches and a variety of terrains, ending in the snows of the summit. The chair must be comfortable, strong and versatile.
Gema explained how the challenge evolved: “Everything began on 28 November 2012, when Sebastian Cebrian, a manager from DIRCOM (Spanish Association of Communications Managers), gave a talk about his experience, and that of two other colleagues, in ascending Kilimanjaro.”
“When the presentation was over an idea came to my mind: to form a team that will allow me to ascend Kilimanjaro and reach almost 6,000 metres, in a specially designed wheelchair. Since that moment I have been focusing on that aim. The support team is complete and I am determined to summit Kilimanjaro. The aim is to achieve the challenge by the end of 2015.
The team is composed of Miguel Ketel, Gema’s personal trainer; Beatriz Crespo, biomechanics researcher at the Paraplegic Hospital of Toledo; Toni Martos, sports psychologist; Isma Santos, a former Spanish basketball player; and Carlota Castrejana, an Olympic medallist.
Matching Gema’s experience, training and determination to reach the summit, with a specially designed and engineered human-powered vehicle, is the key aspect of this thrilling challenge.
Jose Maria outlined the engineering challenges: “Gema's adapted vehicle must be designed to overcome sand, rocks, snow and very steep slopes with volcanic gravel. In addition to this, and a few metres before reaching the top, a giant volcanic rock will challenge the creativity of our engineers and Gema’s physical condition. Although we have to look at the big picture, we cannot forget about the small details. Seemingly tiny issues can cause major mishaps that could prevent Gema from reaching the top.”
Jose Maria comments that the organisation of this new engineering competition will raise the profile of the Institution in Spain and across Europe.
“This endeavour is a test of the engineering students, and of our Committee as well. Creating a new challenge from scratch is an invitation to develop yourself, especially if you only have 18 months to get the prototype ready for delivery on the hillside of Mount Kilimanjaro!”
He added: “This is also an opportunity for our Institution to lead the other engineering institutions across Europe. It is a way of engaging engineering students and letting them know that we are doing things in a different way: one which will really improve the lives of those close to us. It’s a rare and a great opportunity to take part – projects of this sort don’t come by very often.”
Gema Hassen-Bey, the figure-head of this challenge, is a national heroine in Spain, and her varied achievements are much celebrated. Gema said: “I see it as ‘the challenge of the challenges’. On the one hand, it is a personal test: to be the first woman in a wheelchair to summit Mount Kilimanjaro; but it is also a social project that brings with it other opportunities, not least to join the spirit of excellence.”
The advantages and benefits to the Institution are manifold. The Spain Group aims to generate publicity for the competition and the climb in the traditional media, and employ social networking and broadcast streaming of the event. It is intended that new members will be attracted through their engagement with and awareness of the challenge; and that many university departments will join the competition within the framework of corporate social responsibility.
Jose Maria set out the next steps: “During 2014 we will launch the competition, make the first designs and manufacture the three prototypes that will go to the finals during the first quarter of 2015. The engineering departments of all Spanish universities have been contacted, and some of them have already confirmed their willingness to participate. We are currently finalising the rules, and will send out the official applications by the end of February to all those interested in this challenge. Then, the universities will have a month to apply and make initial enquiries, which will be answered by Gema and her team.”
It is intended that prototypes will be designed by Autumn 2014 and tested during the first quarter of 2015; with final construction of the winning vehicle by Spring 2015. The expedition to the summit of Kilimanjaro is due to take place in the Summer of 2015.
For further information, contact: kilimanjaro@imechenetwork.org
Find out more about Gema Hassen-Bey at http://hassen-bey.blogspot.co.uk/