Page 66 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
‘I’ll be right boss, I did a canoe course in 2014 with the RDG - sailing can’t be too different” stated Cpl Stoddart on the ferry to the Isle of Wight. “I’ve never sailed before but this is good for my LSA days. I didn’t much fancy being in camp this week
either’ responded LCpl Menzies.
And so, the highly experienced and well drilled LDs sailing team headed to the Combat Arms Sailing Regatta 2022 hosted by the Seaview Yacht Club for a competi- tive 3 days of racing. Skippered by Lt Ellis, in a weak attempt to prove he wasn’t a ‘sh*t kiwi’ for refusing to play in the LDs rugby team, the LDs team made a strong impres- sion from the start of the regatta. This was mainly thanks to their sailing gear which first entered the sports store in the late eighties.
Cpl Stoddart settled into his trimming job well when convinced yachts can’t capsize and LCpl Menzies performed his duties as bowman admirably once he realised he wasn’t seasick, he was simply hungover. Both will be definite starters for next year’s regatta.
Sailing
Pond like conditions on the Solent
The format split the 20 crews into 2 flights of ten, making starts hotly contested for the favoured end of the line. 20 races were completed in total across the 3 days. The breeze was consistent throughout, with reefs required in sails and a limit of spinna- ker size for the majority of the downwind legs. LDs sailed well, finishing 6th overall with the highlight taking line honours for the final race of the regatta.
The crew now look forward to CASR 23 in May next year.
In a stroke of good fortune, Lt Ellis and Lt Riall wrangled their way onto the Royal Armoured Corps yacht White Knight 7 for the Cowes to St Malo Race 2022.
The 157 nautical mile race is one of the oldest in the Royal Ocean Racing Club cal- endar and attracts a large and experienced fleet, with over 100 yachts on the line of the event. Starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron on the morning of the 8th of July, the fleet experienced pond like con- ditions as they drifted west with the tide out of the Solent. Lt Riall quickly made
Lt Riall takes the helm
Lt Ellis and Lt Riall soak in the Bastille Day festivities
up for his lack of sailing ability by being the only one aboard with cigarettes. The race proved relatively uneventful, as White Knight VII made her way past the west- ern side of Guernsey and south toward St Malo for the finish line in a total time of 30 hours.
Concluding in the stunning walled town of St Malo ensured the tired racers had a well-deserved treat in store after the rig- ours of such competitive racing. Famous for its oyster restaurants and fine dining, Lt Ellis and Lt Riall wandered the cobbled streets, soaking up the Bastille Day ambi- ence before settling down to a bottle of Chablis and a platter of oysters.
The Light Dragoons Sailing Team have secured the RACYC yacht, White Knight VII for Cowes Week 2023 and look for- ward to a week of competitive racing in the world-renowned regatta next year.
FGCE
Lt Riall swaps cigarettes for conversation, on both land and sea
Sunsets over the Celtic Sea
LDs crew 1 look forward to a day on the water
The Seaview Mermaid in all her glory
A common angle, LDs ahead!
Lt Ellis, affable yet ineffectual, on the helm
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