Stage Two – CSG to LNG
Teams were up early with a real sense of anticipation ahead of today’s challenges starting with a set time stage that would see them bike and orienteer around Bryn Forest.
Teams had to develop coal seam gas fields around the world and then market the gas internationally. Equity positions were available to teams located at points throughout the forest and once teams had produced enough reserves, they could market their gas at specified liquefaction points. Teams earned bonus time for the fields they developed and could maximise the amount of gas they marketed at different times throughout the stage, thus reducing their set stage time.
With extreme weather conditions including driving rain, teams took their time to strategise and plan their route before heading off into the forest on their bikes led by Team 2, BG Group Tax & Treasury.
The forest played its part offering challenging terrain in less than ideal conditions. The rain was hammering down while teams carefully planned their strategy and it was a combination of fitness and patient planning that proved instrumental. This was demonstrated by Team 13, Accenture, who was crowned stage winners. Team Captain, Toby Stevens, of Team Accenture said: “We took our time to evaluate what was the maximum bonus that could be achieved and what we thought we could manage in the time available. We agreed a plan, split up and sent our strongest riders out to the edges of the course. It worked for us and we are really pleased with our result.”
By the end of the morning the weather improved unveiling the stunning surroundings of the stage. However, some teams struggled with the extensive course and did not adapt their strategies accordingly, their stage times suffering as a result. Team Captain, Gareth Parkes of Team 18, Energy Institute said: “Ultimately over-confidence let us down today. We had our strategy for tackling the stage but slightly misjudged the sheer size of the course and the distances we had to cover. That is not to say we didn’t give it our all, and despite our shortcomings had a great time getting muddy and wet!”
Stage Two, a particularly demanding stage, proved highly influential to the leader board, with Team 33, Amec, establishing themselves at the top of the table, closely followed by Team 13, Accenture. It was Team 11, BG Group Ladies who led the female teams. After stretching out their limbs, the teams quickly devoured their lunches, keen to re-energise ahead of another physical stage in the afternoon.