46 NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2009
Swimmers’ masters class
Rough riders’
RN SWIMMERS exceeded all at 18 I just continued with it. I really
RAF victory
expectations, bringing home a enjoy it and work hard at my training
staggering haul of 48 medals from the so to win so many medals at once is
THE RN and RM Cycling
World Masters Games in Sydney. a great feeling. Everyone did well out
Association had a very successful
The 28-strong team battled against there though, it was a team effort.”
weekend at the RAF Mountain
competitors from 92 nations, bringing Assistant sports offi cer for RN
Bike Championships, with fi ve
home 16 gold, 19 silver and 13 bronze swimming Gary Thomas added: “This
riders placed in the top ten in the
medals, rounding off a phenomenal has been an exceptional year for us.
cross-country race, plus top spot
year of success in which they also Before we went out to Sydney we set 30
in the downhill event.
scooped four Inter-Service against the medals as the target so we were well in
This year’s event took place at
RAF and Army. excess of that – it is fantastic and a great
the Longmoor training area in
The World Masters Games is an boost for the team.
Hampshire.
international competition similar to the “In our fi ve-year plan we target this
The action-packed weekend
Olympics, but instead is open to athletes as one of our major events and, as far
saw a downhill race, a night
over the age of 25 who compete at a as possible and deployment-depending,
race, a cross-country race and an
world class level in their sport. This year we ramp up our efforts to gain the
enduro event.
more than 28,000 people competed in maximium achievement possible. In
The downhill was emphatically
28 different categories ranging from fact, if the three-kilometre open water
won by L/Cpl Glen Preece. He
swimming to cycling to running. race hadn’t been cancelled I believe
also turned his hand to cross-
LPT Stuart Mantle came away with we would have come back with 50
country, taking a superb eighth
one of the largest haul of medals – three medals.”
place.
gold and three silver from the 200m
The other successful riders
freestyle, two relay events and three
in the cross country were Maj
● Showing off their medals haul
backstroke categories. (l-r) are Stuart Mantle, Gary Thomas,
Andy Plewes (second), Maj Steve
“I’m over the moon,” he said. “I’ve James Warwick, Steve Berry, Sarah
McCulley (third), Maj Si Rogers
been swimming all my life – I started as Buchan and Andy Grundy
(fi fth), WO Nobby Clark (sixth)
a kid and then when I joined the Navy
and WO Jimmy Knibbs (12th).
Picture: LA(Phot) Pete Smith, FRPU East
Jimmy would have probably
Dominating
placed higher up the fi eld, but he
arrived late, literally just making
it to the start line before the race
was off.
the dinghies
Ace DC performance
The course was roughly fi ve
miles long and comprised a
mixture of undulating terrain,
FOR the fi rst time since 2005,
fi retrack, wooded sections and a
the RN dinghy team-boat
couple of ‘interesting’ descents.
racing squad has dominated IN ONE of the closest
Although only three laps, it made
the season.
contests for many
for a testing 65-90 minutes’
Unlike fl eet racing, where
racing.
the individual’s performance
years the RN/RM men’s The race also doubled up as
matters, team-boat racing
marathon team defeated
the fi nal round (of ten) of the
involves the application of the US Marine Corps in
Combined Services’ series.
more tactics and is sailed over
the Washington marathon
Full results to follow, however
shorter courses; the races often
the Navy has provisionally taken
lasting only 15-20 minutes.
– regaining the Challenge fi rst (L/Cpl Ben Deakin) and
Points are awarded for the
Cup after two years in US
second (L/Cpl Preece) in the
place each boat fi nishes and hands.
downhill series, and second
the various combinations of The cup is an 1897 Victorian
(Maj Plewes) and third (Maj
points allocated mean that even silver trophy which was brought
McCulley) in the cross-country
if one boat in the team fi nishes from the UK in 1978 for the fi rst
series.
fi rst, the team could still lose if challenge.
This success is a result of
the other boats fi nish down the Three decades later, the battle
signifi cant personal commitment
fi eld.
between the US Marines and the
throughout the whole season.
This method of scoring
RN is intense as ever.
The relatively-new downhill
means that whoever is in the
The score is now RN 23-USMC
series saw some very tight racing
lead may often have to come
9 – quite an extraordinary feat
between the Navy’s top two
back down the fl eet to help
considering the relative numbers
boys; they fought off their main
those further back achieve a
involved and the USMC’s fi tness
challengers from the RAF, and
better fi nish.
reputation.
the cross-country results refl ected
Knowledge of the sailing rules
In 2001, a ladies challenge was
a very tight season-long battle.
of road and good boat handling
introduced with a separate trophy
Steve’s very strong fi nal result
skills are key and races can
– won this year by the USMC –
saw him catapult himself from
often see some dinghies almost
who now lead by 6-3.
fi fth place in the series into the
coming to a stop as they try to
Both teams meet up three days
medals, and Andy’s overall series
outmanoeuvre the other team.
before the race for a reception
placing was decided in the fi nal
200 metres in a ‘winner takes all’
The Inter-Services team-boat
featuring a lot of banter and race
scenario.
racing championships were
predictions.
Throughout the race Andy
held in Portsmouth Harbour in
This year the opposing camps
and the RAF’s Cpl Dan Lewis
bright sunshine and light winds.
were in the same hotel which
● The RN/RM runners pose with the Challenge Cup after their triumph over the US Marine Corps in the (the eventual race and Combined
Sailing in Laser 2000s, two RN
added to the intense but friendly
Washington Marathon Services’ winner) were separated
teams comprising 12 of the best
rivalry.
by no more than two bike lengths.
Royal Navy sailors.
Race day conditions were Navy’s fi nal runner and heading overhauling all but their lead the line on 3h 40m. The fi rst two
Over two days, the Navy A
perfect and at 8am 25,000 for a personal best. runner to fi nish in 2h 40m. USMC ladies were only marginally
team dominated – they were
runners set off from the Iwo Jima The team were updated on The remaining RN runners faster than the Britons, but enough
undefeated, despite a shaky
Memorial in Arlington on a course race positions at various points all fi nished strongly – Sgt Mark to take the ladies’ Challenge Cup.
Boom boom
second day.
that passed the Pentagon, White around the course by Cdr Al Rich Goodridge in 2h 41m, PO Both teams enjoyed a post-race
Their success was aided
House, Capitol, and numerous who competed in the fi rst 1978 Waumsley in 2h 42s and Cpl reception with the USMC having
by grinding out wins from
monuments. challenge and has run 17 times Montague in 2h 43m. to provide the champagne for the
for Basel
poor starts thanks to good
Team tactics had been discussed since. An RN winning margin of two cup.
communication, boat speed
and as planned Cpl Mark With the US Marines minutes was hard-fought and well Throughout the week Runners
A PARTY of 14 Maritime
and crewing, which had helped
Croasdale and Cpl Brian Cole, comfortably ahead by six minutes earned. Wo r l d magazine interviewed and
Reservists fl ew to Basel
win them the Victory trophy
veterans of more than a dozen at 16 and 20 miles (the three best Cdre Steve Ramm, the senior photographed the teams in order
in Switzerland for the 5th
earlier in the year.
Washington races between them, times to count), the order was RN offi cer in Washington had to publish a major article on this
International St Barbara
The RN B team deservedly
sat in with a group of US Marines given at 20 miles to change gear. great delight in presenting the unique running challenge.
Shooting Competition at the
took home the B team cup after
at a steady six-minute mile pace. Croasdale responded and Challenge Cup to the Brits. The RN team is ageing rapidly
barracks in the nearby town of
fi nishing 3rd in the league, just
Two more Americans were well charged through the fi eld with The RN ladies also ran good and new young talent (anyone
Liestal.
behind the Army A and ahead
ahead at this stage. some gutsy running, fi nishing races with Lt Penny Armand- under 35!) is required.
The team comprised two
of the RAF A, showing the RN’s
Sgt Mark Goodridge and strongly in 2h 39m and only 30 Smith fi rst home in an excellent Anyone wishing to get involved
offi cers, four senior and eight
clear dominance of the event.
PO Pete Waumsley were sensibly seconds behind the leading US time of 3h 20m. in RN/RM distance running
junior ratings from HM Ships
running behind the main group,
King Alfred and President and
The event concluded what
marine. PO(NN) Lucy Norman fi nished should contact Lt Cdr Gough
while Cpl Monty Montague in
the RNR Air Branch.
has been a very successful
Cole was also drawing closer strongly ten minutes behind her, at Temeraire or Cdr Rich at
his third marathon was the Royal
The contest is different from
2009 for the dinghy sailing
to the leading US Marines, while Musn Kiri Wedlock crossed Yeovilton.
other NATO competitions
team but as with most sports in
as it concentrates purely on
the RN, there is still a need to
marksmanship.
increase numbers in the squad.
The weapons used are the Stgw
Next year will see a
57 (7.50mm assault rifl e), the
concerted campaign to get Clash of the Titans... and Hyenas
Stgw 90 (5.56mm assault rifl e)
more people involved in the
and a Sig 9mm pistol.
sport and afl oat in the Navy’s
THE RN ice hockey team rebounded from The RN scraped by 6-5 in the fi rst encounter list of mainstream sports recognised by the For the fi rst rifl e shoot, a
extensive variety of boats,
their fi rst defeat of the season in Cardiff (7-5 at home in Gosport, a game marked the fi rst Combined Services Sports Board, provided the computer display is used to
located in sailing centres
to the Titans) with a hard-fought win against appearances for Lt Mike Allinson (HMS fi nal little blocks can fall into place. show the fall of shot. For the
around the country.
the Basingstoke Hyenas 2-1 at Planet Ice, Middleton) and Mne Ben Foster-Rankin Attaining recognised status would be the second, only the fi rst two shots
The fi rst key event is the
Basingstoke. (CTCRM) while L/Cpl Carl Edwards, the culmination of four years’ hard work by are marked back then you have
Holt Cup, an inter-command
The Cardiff fi xture had been the biggest test Navy’s No.1 keeper, made a return between the individuals in all three Services and will enable to complete the detail and hope
competition held at BRNC
of the season to date, with the Senior Service pipes after several months of pre-deployment the Forces to progress the sport even further. for the best. It is the second shoot
Dartmouth, where novices and
taking on the Summer Cup runners-up, writes training for Afghanistan. The standard of play at the Inter-Services that determines whether you win
experts alike are pitted against
Lt Cdr Al Bernard. The game was a defensive contest, with few level can easily be equated to English National a medal, so you have to think
each other in a weekend of
The Titans are one of the best recreational opportunities at either end, and Edwards turned League level and the annual tournament hard as to which rifl e you chose.
team-boat racing.
sides in the southern UK but the RN acquitted away all but one shot that came his way. has grown into one of the largest ice hockey This year’s team consisted
Details at www.rnsa.net/ themselves well, remaining on a par with their Both of the RN goals came on the penalty kill tournaments in the UK. of many junior ratings who had
Dinghies/News.aspx or Welsh rivals. when the squad’s concerted pressure forced the The players will take a break from mid- never fi red, or even held a pistol.
contact one of your local It was not until the Titans scored late in Hyenas to lose the puck in their own zone and December until early January, but next month The senior team members were
representatives. the third period that the fate of the contest offer up the scoring opportunities which would sees a high-profi le fi xture against the Army in allowed by the Swiss range staff to
was decided. Mid Stu Barrow (Southampton be the difference in the low-scoring match. support of Help for Heroes and the Royal Navy coach these new shooters and also
Advance warning
URNU) and Mne Mark Wheeler (42 Cdo) The Navy’s next fi xture is against the RAF Benevolent Fund. to act as safety ratings during the
ARTICLES for our January
both found the back of the net in their fi rst in Dundee, a match which will serve as the The RN train at Planet Ice, Gosport, in pistol competition.
2010 issue must be received
game in a RN jersey. high-profi le fi nal game of the annual RAF addition to playing two monthly fi xtures against The coaching must have
by December 7 to meet our
The next game saw the side travel to Championships. civilian and service teams. worked because there were some
pre-Christmas deadline.
Basingstoke, the second clash of a home-and- Ice hockey has made signifi cant progress Details are available at the RNIHA website excellent scores recorded by all of
away series against their Hampshire rivals. over the last few years and is set to join the www.rniha.org.uk. the UK shooters.
046_NN_Dec.indd 1 20/11/09 15:07:14
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48