Page 83 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2019

REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
Next up was Exercise HIGHLAND FLING, a little break for powerlifting. Scottish comrades at The Highlanders, 4th bat- talion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS) challenged other units within the Garrison at their Highland Games at the Leyburn Road athletics stadium. Traditional games included throwing the bale, hurling the stone, tossing the caber, the strong man, track and field events and tug of war. The 12-man strong team from the Regiment came second overall after the points tallied up from all events. Proving to be good at their own games the Regiment can still walk away saying we were the strongest English team, beating Regiments such as The Light Dragoons and The Royal Dragoon Guards. Of course, the strongest man event was won by SSgt Pennington, after taking part in such events including the log press and dead lift.
Back to powerlifting, SSgt Pennington, SSgt Marx and Cpl Gal- loway took part in the Army Bench press competition held in Kent. An event Pennington usually wins, sadly he missed out
this year after picking up an injury during the competition. De- spite this loss, the team put in a strong performance. The Regi- ment still walked away with silverware thanks to SSgt Marx plac- ing second in his weight category. Pennington took six weeks to fully recover from his injury, just in time to represent the Army in the Armed Forces Full Power. A great team effort was dis- played finishing second overall, losing our title to the RAF. The competition really took its toll on SSgt Pennington who then rested for the remainder of the season.
The last event of the year was the Army Singles, where indi- viduals have to enter one or more of the three events. SSgt Marx continued to compete, finishing with great success, placing first in both squat and bench. What a great first season in the sport for him. The team are looking forward to another great season and continue to recruit talented individuals. Come and give it a go and see how you place within your weight category.
Cowes Week or ‘Quick, someone get Arthur back in the boat!’
Cowes week is one of the longest running sailing regattas in the world; first held in 1826. With 40 daily sailing races, up to 1,000 boats and 8,000 competitors ranging from Olympic and world-class professionals to weekend sailors, it is the largest sail- ing regatta of its kind in the world. It had been four years since the motto had proudly flown in the Solent but 2019 was the year The Royal Lancers were going to come back in style.
The vessel for this illustrious return would be Ajax, kindly lent to the Regiment by the Royal Armoured Corps Yacht Club, a good looking J109 which we would be racing in the IRC Class 5A. This would mean stiff competition from accomplished, or at least mildly experienced, crews. Ajax was fresh from the Fastnet race – a five day and 15-hour race to the Fastnet Rock and back – under the stewardship of Sgt Craig Circuit. She was little wet (both inside and out) but had proved herself in tough conditions against much faster boats. Also fresh from the Fastnet was Capt Joe Cowie who, as part of the British Soldier crew, had finished in the fastest military boat.
Once again Skipper Tom Overy kindly provided his services (free of charge) to the Regiment. Many were shocked he was willing to once again throw himself into the breach with a Lanc-
A beautiful day on the Solent
er team following Cowes 2015! Luckily Tom, an experienced professional skipper, had an equal appetite for a challenge as for helping the military.
And a challenge Tom would get...Of the 13 Lancers who would sub in and out over the course of the week only four had previ- ous racing experience: Capts Cowie and White, Maj Purbrick and Lt Scott. A couple had dingy experience: Capt Humphreys, LCpl Simcox and Tpr Simcox. However, the remainder were sailing virgins: Capts Anani-Isaac, Clarkson, Gardner, Callinan and Marriott, Lt Reed and Tpr Godwin.
Sunday’s race was a baptism of fire with the crew not only bat- tling poor weather conditions but their own inexperience. Tom practically kissed the ground as we returned to the Haven. Mon- day was another battle but all, well at least most, now understood their port from starboard and bow from stern – we were firmly into our forming stage. Tuesday, Ladies Day, saw the best weath- er of the week. Clear skies,
DAP
sunshine but decent wind. It would also see Ajax move from bottom of the Class 5A table (no doubt thanks
Marriotts don’t swim!
81