Update: The Liverpool 8 Challenge

Date: 24 December 2005

The launch of Steve's Liverpool8 challenge saw over 200 hopefuls gather together ready to test their mettle in a series of tests designed to find out who has what it takes to race at Henley Royal Regatta in 2006.

To be in with a chance of making the final eight, the contestants were asked to bend, stretch, run, balance and flex so that Steve and his team could assess their fitness levels and suitability for the challenge.

After whittling the 240 down to just 36, each contestant was given a crash course in TV production as ITV will be following the progress of each hopeful through to the bitter end. Having chosen their best angle, further Ergo tests, water safety and capsize drills ensued before everyone took to the water for the first time.

Each of the 36 will be training for four hours every day - two hours on the water, one hour on the Ergo and another hour of running and fitness exercises. The first goal is to compete successfully at the English Indoor Championship on 29 January 2006. At this point the 36 will be whittled down to just 20 who will all continue to train for the North of England Head in Chester on 18 March.

Jacqueline Alexander

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