One round the world sailor from Hampshire is leaving his beloved water behind for a new dry land challenge to where he will mentor youths taking part in one of the world’s toughest cycling challenges.
Adam Tuffnell is joining a former England rugby player Lewis Moody to lead and inspire a team of teenagers who will tackle to cycle Europe’s tallest mountain in the Tour Du Mont Blanc race. With 350km of cycling, paths rising to 9000 metres and the possibility of heavy sleet and snow it is an exhausting attempt for even the most experienced of professionals.
Adam is one of ten elite sports people and 20 youngsters setting off on the Fastest Classroom on Earth Challenge on Mont Blanc in the French Alps. Tuffnell and his team will act as self styled “Duracell batteries” mentoring and encouraging the teenagers to cycle, all of whom have complicated behavioural and learning difficulties.
The challenge is part of the ‘Extreme Classroom’ series which is an annual programme of expeditions aiming to help young people to overcome their difficulties by developing new strengths, teamwork and resilience in extreme tests and environments. The trek involves nine climbs and is expected to take them four days compared to the usual one day. A cycle distance of 60km a day will be covered and each youngster is aged between 14 – 16 and come from counties outside Hampshire will be supported by adults from their school.
The elite sports people will come from a range of backgrounds and they will pass through France, Spain and Italy during the challenge which is due to be aired on Sky TV. Tuffnell said “we think of ourselves as the Duracell batteries, giving them the determination to grit their teeth and keep going”.
The Extreme Classroom was created by Polar explorer Alan Chambers and previous events have included Arctic expeditions, Himalayan trekking and living in the Great Rift Valley with Massai Warriors.