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National Geographic Announces Start of Online Voting for the People's Choice Adventurer of the Year

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Geographic has announced the launch of its annual online competition for the People's Choice Adventurer of the Year for 2012. Nominees include 12 individuals whose extraordinary achievements in exploration, conservation and adventure sports have distinguished them in the past year. Fans can go to http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventurers-of-the-year/2012/ for more information about each nominee and to vote every day for their favorite. Online voting begins today. The People's Choice Adventurer of the Year will be announced after online voting ends on Jan. 18, 2012.

This year's nominees are:

    --  Nick Waggoner -- American skier-filmmaker
    --  Jon Turk and Erik Boomer -- American kayakers
    --  Sano Babu Sunuwar and Lakpa Chhiri Sherpa -- Nepali kayaker and
        mountaineer
    --  Cory Richards -- American mountaineer-photographer
    --  Travis Rice -- American snowboarder
    --  Carissa Moore -- American surfer
    --  Danny MacAskill -- Scottish cyclist
    --  Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner -- Austrian mountaineer
    --  Alastair Humphreys -- British adventurer
    --  Jennifer Pharr Davis -- American hiker

"With the help of our advisory board, we've found the most incredible adventure accomplishments worldwide in 2011, spanning from the tallest mountaintops to the sea," said Mary Anne Potts, editor of Adventure online. "These extraordinary men and women exemplify the spirit of adventure in their commitment to exploration and innovation. Each one is truly inspiring. We leave it to the fans to determine who will be the People's Choice Adventurer of the Year."

This year, Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the exclusive sponsor of the Adventurer of the Year and is partnering with National Geographic to reach the widest online audience possible.

Over the past seven years, National Geographic has cast a wide net to find the Adventurers of the Year, each selected for his or her extraordinary achievement in exploration, conservation and adventure sports. In 2011, the partnership with Glenfiddich Single Malt promises to bring an added level of excitement to the proceedings. The feats of each of this year's nominees embody pioneering innovation -- from reinventing distance hiking and circumnavigating frigid Ellesmere Island to skiing the Andes on human power and launching a backyard micro adventure movement.

"We are delighted to be partnering with National Geographic," said Lindsay Prociw, senior brand manager for Glenfiddich. "Both Glenfiddich and National Geographic are established pioneers within their industries, and, as we gear up to celebrate our respective 125th anniversaries, we are honored to be able to celebrate and reward those who are keeping the spirit of a pioneer alive."

To learn more about each adventurer through in-depth profiles and photographs and to vote every day for the People's Choice Adventurer of the Year, go to http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventurers-of-the-year/2012/.

SOURCE National Geographic Society