Congratulations to Dan Byles, one of our competitors in Polar Race 2007, who has just been elected Conservative MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth.

He was helped in his campaigning by the enthusiasm and determination of his Mum, Jan Meek, who in 2007 became the oldest woman to walk to a pole.

As I said in a text to Dan:

• Good looking
• Successful Polar adventurer
• Successful Atlantic oarsman

Obviously got the female vote!

Sadly this now rules him out of consideration for the "Row to the Pole" crew, for which he would otherwise have been a prime candidate. He will be otherwise very occupied!

Not content with applying himself to doing the Polar Race, Charlie Taylor with 48 hours notice is taking over a rowing position in this year's London2Paris Rowing challenge. One of the oarsmen has been advised on medical grounds to pull out and Charlie at short notice has stepped in.

It helps that Charlie was a member of the record breaking crew acrosss the atlantic in 2008.

Last weekend saw our competitors including two from Canada start to get down to the intricacies of the equipment which will keep them safe in the Arctic environment.

Led by Neil Williams and supported by Danny Munden and Tony Woodford the 2011 competitors were soon up to speed with how not to create a "fireball" when lighting a stove.

Clothing measurement also took place which caused amusement to many.

All important stuff however when you have to live and survive in the most extreme environment in the world. With only 2 of our competitors not making the finish after starting out from Resolute in 4 races it is something we take very seriously

Polar Race entries are still being accepted for 2011 so it is not too late to join up

A group of 2011 racers found themselves getting very hot and sweaty on Saturday, in the Gym at Waldegrave School, Twickenham . They then had to endure the cold outside while coping with a series of "Command Tasks" designed by former Atlantic oarsman Roger Gould.

The tasks were designed to make them "think outside the box", with some interesting results!

They'll need to think in a different manner when they're in the Arctic and this kind of preparation can make all the difference.