Microsoft UK Challenge

Requiring physical and mental stamina, intelligence and a huge amount of teamwork twenty VINCI Construction UK employees recently formed three teams to compete in the Microsoft UK Challenge.

Raising £9,325 for the NSPCC and Trinity Homeless Projects they pitted themselves against 100 other teams in eight events over three nights and days. Each event used a different scenario to challenge the teams strategic planning, timekeeping, problem and puzzle solving, detailed map reading and code breaking skills. This was combined with the physical challenge of running, biking and canoeing around the mountains surrounding Aberystwyth in Wales. Events ranged, metaphorically, from rescuing secret agents lost in the mountains to gaining HGV driving licences to deliver goods to cities around the country.

The final Grand Prix, with the top three teams entered into the Intelligent Sport World Championships, saw the teams racing over a 10 mile off road bike and 6 mile fell run course whilst having to correctly solve four puzzles or face time penalties locked in the Brain Cell. Jason Abdoh lead Team 097 to win the VINCI Trophy and come 74th overall. The event can be watched on C4 at 8.30am on 18th July 2009.

Published: 23/06/2009