How were quadrifoil kites used during polar expeditions in Greenland and Antarctica?

Quadrifoil kites—which are soft, sparless, and highly controllable designs—were utilized during polar expeditions to provide the necessary traction to haul personnel and sleds across challenging terrain.

These kites served as powerful "engines" that functioned as airborne sails, allowing explorers to traverse snow and ice efficiently. Their use revolutionized polar travel by enabling self-supported treks, most notably during a 1995 expedition across Greenland and a 1999 expedition to the South Pole.1