Page 79 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2019

REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
dominated the league. Hopefully this will continue into the New Year and we will defend the title.
The Royal Lancers’ team also made up the totality of the Royal Armoured Corps team that entered the Army Corps Champi- onships. In this tough competition, filled with leading athletes from across the Army, some of whom compete at national level, the RAC/Royal Lancer team finished a very respectable joint 7th, with Capt Gardner getting on to the individual’s podium as a placed finisher.
The year rightly ended on a high. Following the success that the team has had in 2019 we were awarded the prize as the best Regi- mental Sports Team of 2019, an accolade thoroughly deserved and won through fierce competitiveness and drive. WO2 Lucas was also awarded his Honorary Colours and the position of the RAC Orienteering Secretary. The team now looks forward to the competitive opportunities both in the UK and abroad with the teams newly coined phrase, “Lead at Speed”.
DPL
Triathlon in Catterick has gone from strength to strength in 2019. As triathlon and cycling increase in popularity within the Regiment, the Triathlon Squad has subsequently grown and produced some promising results across disciplines in 2019. The advent of the Army Triathlon North Series has also given the opportunity for local, accessible and well-managed races for the home team.
With that in mind the Squad set about combatting the fanatical Light Dragoon Triathlon Team by targeting a few key events. Unable to attend the first four races due to other commitments the team focussed on two races, the first in Richmond, Race 5 of the Northern League, the second in Bovington, the RAC Triathlon.
In Richmond the team awoke to biblical rainfall and flooding throughout The Dales. Thinking we had all dodged a bullet we arrived at the race assuming a cancellation. Alas, with the start finish line under 40 cm of water the race went ahead; thankfully unlike other roads in the area the course was largely unaffected if a little glossy with the continuing rainfall. Just returned to RD, OC D came out of triathlon retirement taking second place overall to put a shockwave into the impetuous Light Dragoon team. The Adjutant put in a strong shift coming just outside of the top ten, with Tpr Collins coming in the top 20 overall and finishing first in the Junior Category. Sgt Chianca, Capt Anani- Isaac and SSgt King all came in the top 60 completing a strong team performance. The Light Dragoons were looking worried as the focus shifted to the RAC Championships in November (and
Awards Ceremony at the RAC Triathlon...in a Squash Court!
Triathlon
subsequently deployed on a two-week training camp to Majorca to make up the losses).
The weather gods were again not looking kindly upon the team as they arrived at Stanley Barracks for the RAC Championships, although with a race scheduled in November, we expected noth- ing less. The event was also lucky to go ahead as the other events around the Hodson’s Horse banner were cancelled due to an outbreak of Noro Virus in Bovington. The team-sheet saw sig- nificant churn with some of our star performers being pulled for other commitments and a lean team of just four attending.
OC D not moving as fast as the camera might suggest
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