Julia Richardson receives the RJ Mitchell trophy

Grand Challenge 2008 winners announced

The competition was tough and the weather demanding, but nothing could dampen the spirits of this summer's Grand Challenge winners.

Team Leader, Julia Richardson received the RJ Mitchell Trophy from Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor John Beddington, who praised the team's performance during the final tests.

Announcing the winners Professor Beddington explained the judge's decision: "The judges had a difficult decision to make. They were extremely impressed by the enthusiasm, drive and commitment of the competitors as well as their dedication to the tasks involved.

"Stellar demonstrated an integrated mixed vehicle system that found targets with complete coverage and no false alarms. They used their operators effectively during the search and this was rounded off by a particularly clear and accurate report upon completion of the task."

Richardson admitted that the team had struggled with the demanding timescales of the competition and that last-minute electronic interference issues had also caused a few problems.

Delighted with their success, she could only describe the team's reaction to their success as: "Very, very happy."