TeamAccelerate

With one event left to go on the event calendar and the final places to contend for in the series, nerves where running a little higher than normal - well OK, one or two of the Team were definitely looking as though they 'could blow' at any moment.
No such nerves for Caz and Eddie as it looked like the final race, the Open 5 Coniston, was to be a relaxed afair as they had the series in the bag. They enjoyed themselves, raced hard and won on the day. Meanwhile Debs and Keri could not afford to make a single mistake - it certainly showed on their faces at the start! They navigated carefully and ensured a safe race, with a win at the event and in the series.
Adam and Will Haynes were also eyeing the series but knew they had to race hard and navigate cleanly. With 17 seconds to spare they pipped their nearest rivals to a race winto take the series - not bad for the 'generations' in the Team! Meanwhile just behind them was the other Adam racing with Matt for the first time. They found the podium in third.
Also in with a shout for the series was 4th placed male pairing of Rob and Kev. They were consistent again and flew home and into a series 2nd. Over at the Male solo competition Dave was looking to get himself onto the podium and ensure a series placing. 3rd place on the day was good enough to enure 3rd in the series.
It was a good day for Team Accelerate!

Results: Open 5 Series: 1st Mixed Pairs, Caz & Eddie. 1st Male Pairs, Adam & Will. 2nd Male Pairs, Rob & Kev. 1st Female Pairs, Debs & Keri
Race Results: 1st Male Pairs, Will & Adam; 3rd Male Pairs, Matt & Adam M; 4th Kev & Rob. 1st Female Pairs, Debs & Keri. 1st Mixed Pairs, Caz & Eddie. 3rd Male Solo, Dave; 6th Alasdair.

The first frosts, the Polaris and then the OMM. Autumn has arrived!

For some Team members there has been no let-up in training as we headed towards two of the annual classic events on the outdoor-endurance calendar. For Keri and Rob it was time to get the bikes out for the Polaris, a two day challenge of mountain biking over two days. The training paid off as they came home a very creditable 3rd in the mixed pairs. The result leaving them both with 'over-sized' grins.
The last weekend of the month saw seven Team members heading for the Lowther Hills and a wet, windy, then an even wetter and windy, OMM. Two days of mountain navigation, coupled with complete self sufficency and a test of endurance and sheer mental determination. It would be fair to say that the overnight camp had the potential to either blow good-spirits away or drown them!!
For most of those entered from Team Accelerate it was there first OMM, with Adam M being one of the 'virgins'. Alongside Kev they entered the Elite Race!! Over the two days they were a very creditable 14th and a little over 3 hours behind the event winners.
Caz and Dave, both newcomers to the OMM, entered the A-Long Score and finished 4th mixed and well up the field of finishers - another great effort.
As to the other OMM virgin, he achieved his goal of finishing the 'A Class' having sufered a month long injury in the lead up to the event. With Debs leading the way they managed 3rd mixed and as to their time - well, lets not go there, somebody can definitely be a little fitter, OK!

Summer lingered and training continued as Team Accelerate geared up for the penultimate Open Adventure 5 race in Grassington, Yorkshire Dales. The sun shone and competitors arrived in their droves.
The series is the best three scores out of five events and for some of members of the Team it was a 'must do' event if they wished to be considered for the Series prizes.
For Caroline and Eddie this was their 6th Open 5 racing together and their partnership has developed and grown over the last 12 months. With Eddie's navigation and Caroline's speed they were always going to be a force to be reckoned with. Eddie was heard to remark before the event, "We will be cycling first as I need to slow Caz down on the run! She raced her first fell race last weekend and was only just between by some of the best lady fell runners in the area so I know she is getting fit again".
Having looked back at the event it was clear from the start that they were in good form. Route choice was awesome and they picked up enough points to have reached the podium in the Male pairs. As it was they won the mixed pairs by a clear margin.
The biggest win for the Team on the day was in the Female pairs as Keri and Debs won by a margin of 75 points. Again, route choice made all the differance. Meanwhile Dave Spence returned from playing in foreign parts to finish third in the male solo class.

Results:
Open 5, Grassington: 1st Mixed Team, Eddie and Caz. 1st Female Pairs, Debs and Keri. 3rd Male Solo, Dave.

With August came one thought and one focus - getting Adam H, Adam M, Kev and Debs in one piece out to Ireland for the Gael Force 12. The Team reserve declared himself injured so it was imperative that the rest of the squad that was destined for West Port remained injury and trouble free.
With the last training weekend booked, sit on top kayaks borrowed from Total Adventure, it was time for a final sort out and kit check.
Adding a little hilarity to the weekend was seeing the Team working on an improvised and hand made Kayak sail - it is amazing what you can do with a shower curtain and a little dental floss!

The Team arrived in West Port, County Mayo to a very warm welcome. With competition from Aberdeen Asset Management, Sleepmonsters and Irish AR, it was going to be a tough race. Two days of hard racing and a couple of mistakes later Team Accelerate found themselves in 4th spot. A blistering final day ( and a fully working and succesful Kayak sail) saw them win the final stage and push themselves into joint 3rd with Irish AR. AAM were clear winners and Sleepmonsters held onto to 2nd.

Results:
Gael Force 12: 3rd Mixed Team, Adam M, Adam H, Kev and Debs.

Father & son Team of Adam & Will, again prove that age is no barrier to success. The youngest and oldest members of Team Accelerate demonstrated their ability as they powered their way to a notable win at the Polaris Challenge, Parent & Offspring category. They also finished in the top 10 of the race overall.
Have to say the form they are both enjoying would probably leave many a good racer in their wake and as to taking them up on their offer of training with them...well....uhhmmmm....
As the month continued it became clear that their was nothing going to stand in the way of Adam as he and Debs started the last round of the Open Adventure Endurance Series: the Open 24. With canyoning, climbing over waterfalls, tandem riding and a swim across Wast Water the organisers once again again offerd a superb event for all. For Debs & Adam it was not their best day 'at the office', yet they still stormed to a very creditable 3rd place in the event. This was still enough for them to be crowned Mixed Pairs Champions in the Open Adventure Series 2007 - and we are all very proud of their achievement.

Results:
Polaris Challenge: 1st Pairs, Parent & Offspring, Adam and Will
Open 24: 3rd Mixed Pairs, Debs and Adam
Open Adventure Endurance Series 2007: 1st Mixed Pairs, Adam and Debs

Final preparations are in order for Team members competing at the second round of Open Adventure Endurance Series, the Open 12. Debs & Adam are not only training hard, but emails are flying & the phone line is red hot as they make their plans. It is not always about athletic ability in these events but also a commitment to the small detail, & so it proved. They were 4th overall in the event & came home winners in the Mixed Pairs. They now lead the series. The event had many a challenge including cliff jumps, caving & a bridge abseil. Keri and Alisdair finished a little off the pace but remain in contention for a podium place in the series.
Meanwhile, out at sea, Adam and Keith are aiding their fellow sailors on board Vlad the Impaler. The Team looked quietely confident before the race from three years experience & having a plan that required a little luck & a clean execution. Thankfully the hard work paid off &Team Accelerate members Adam and Keith were able to celebrate a second win in the event for Vlad, along with their crew mates Greg, Will and Ric. Not forgetting Juliet and Stuart, playing 'Support Crew' roles.

Results:
Open 12: 1st Mixed Team, Debs and Adam
Powerbar Three Peaks Yacht Race: 1st Team.

This month Keith has reported that Adam has learnt all the required nautical terms for the 3 Peak Yacht race - we are just not to certain which bars they have been frequenting? More to the point their training is apparantly progresing well, with Adam discovering the joys of team making whilst at sea and the art of carrying two OMM back packs.
The Keswick Open 5 sees the start of the Open Adventure Endurance Series with two Team pairs entered. Adan H and Debs fight their way to third, just 5 points behind the leaders in the Series. Keri and Alisdair show their their ability in 4th place and third place in the Series. Only two more races to go...
Meanwhile Caz and Eddie re-establish their lead in the Open 5 Series with fine win in the mixed pairs. Both are smiling again after the 'bad day at office' at Sutton Bridge. They currently lead the '5' Series.

Results:
Open 5, Mixed Pairs: 4th Keri and Alisdair, 3rd Debs and Adam, 1st Eddie and Caz.

A quiet month on the racing front with many of the Team opting to train over competing. Kev chose to drop into the Ace Race 2 Dayer in Scotland and finished a notable 3rd in the male solo category.
The Teams enthusiasm over experience showed itself as we unfortunately pulled out of the the WARC, with the Squad beset with injuries.
Both Adam and Keith continue to train for the 3 Peaks Yacht race and have meet up with the sailors for many a training session on the south coast. This has been complemented with training on the '3Peaks' as they plan their way to what we all hope will be a cracking race for all on board Vlad the Impaler.
Dave Spence has agreed to join the Team, having impressed at the Open 5 Series - a top bloke too!