Page 124 - The Rifles Bugle Autumn 2019

RACING WAS CLOSELY- FOUGHT ACROSS THE FLEET, WITH SOME NARROW FINISHES ON THE LINE FROM SEVERAL BOATS
This year, the Rifles Regatta took place at Seaview Yacht Club (SYC) on 10 – 11 June. Conditions for racing were optimal, with a steady breeze across both days providing the platform for some excellent competition. The field was packed, comprising twelve teams across Regular and Reserve RIFLES battalions, as well as RHQ, ITC, and HQ INF. 7 RIFLES entered two crews on SYC’s fleet of Mermaids, ranging from the CO to a Potential Officer, and incorporating three crew who had collectively stepped on a sailing boat only once before.
Not to be daunted by their lack of experience, both 7 RIFLES boats fought their way to the top of the fleet throughout Monday’s racing, under skippers Lt Col James Gayner and Lt Johnathan Cooper. The courses lasted no longer than one hour each, making for a fast turnaround and even faster racing. Racing was closely-fought across the fleet, with some narrow finishes on the line from several boats. By the time the Mermaids moored up, 7 RIFLES B and A were on course for podium finishes at first and third respectively. Ahead of the rest of the fleet by a significant margin, only 8 RIFLES and 2 RIFLES could challenge for the podium on the second day. There was a fantastic meal provided by
SYC that evening, which was a great opportunity to network with RIFLES Officers across the regiment.
The crews took to the water on the Tuesday morning in glorious sunshine, and it was not long before several spinnakers were being flown. Whilst 7 RIFLES A slipped to the middle of the fleet, 7 RIFLES B maintained their excellent run of form, effectively consigning 2 RIFLES to third place, and setting up a tantalising boat-for-boat race against 8 RIFLES.
As morning turned to afternoon, the competition for top spot turned into match racing between the two as they traded first and second place, often crossing within touching distance of one another. Effective spinnaker handling proved crucial on the downwind legs, and the smallest of errors by one was swiftly punished by the other. The overall trophy would come down to the final race, with 7 RIFLES needing only to finish within one place of the 8 RIFLES boat. Shortly after the first mark, the gap with the rest of the fleet opened up, guaranteeing 7 RIFLES the win despite finishing in second in that particular race.
Lt Jonathan Cooper
Ops Bravo 7 RIFLES
Battalion Sailing Team
7 Rifles Sailing Team
Exercise Iverna Venture 2019
FIXING PLANKS OF WOOD TO YOUR FEET, THEN SLIDING DOWN ANY ICY MOUNTAIN
In January 2019, 7 RIFLES ran Exercise Iverna Venture; an alpine skiing adventurous training exercise to Val Thorens, in the French Alps.
For many of our Riflemen this was the first time they would try the sport and training was divided into two qualifications: Ski Foundation 1, which took soldiers from total novice, to safely managing a blue run; and Ski Foundation 2, in which more experienced skiers learned avalanche safety and ski touring.
Adventurous training develops soldiers in a way that ‘green’ training never could - fixing planks of wood to your feet, then sliding down any icy mountain, is certainly a way to face your fears. And, for a battalion that spreads from Swindon to West Ham, this was a fantastic chance to make new friends.
Natural leaders came to the fore, and Riflemen had the chance to experience “mountain life”, from cheese fondue to après ski. Plans are afoot
for IVERNA VENTURE 2020, and the battalion hopes to have its own instructor corps before long. Several soldiers have even asked about the infantry ski racing competition, so expect to hear much more from the Chosen Men of the mountain. Sjt Maj Mark Williams
CSM A Coy, 7 RIFLES
122 SEVENTH BATTALION THE RIFLES