NAVY NEWS, OCTOBER 2007 43
Ageless Garry is
Go ahead,
make my
clay...
king of the world
THE Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen
and Families Association
(perhaps better known as
SSAFA Forces Help) and three
other charities will benefi t from
THE great Hanseatic port
the £330 raised during a clay
pigeon shoot hosted by the
of Hamburg played host Portsmouth Area Clay Pigeon
to the triathlon age group
Club (PACPC) at Tipner ranges
World Championship
for the Mayor of Fareham’s
with the Senior Service
Charity Appeal.
Cllr Katrina Trott, Mayor
represented by fi ve
of Fareham, presented the
endurance athletes.
challenge trophy to Mark
Cpl Garry Gerrard and PO Bottrell, who scored 20 out of
Billy Holman raced in the 40-44 a possible 25 clays during the
category, Sgt Steve Lewis in the competition phase of the event.
30-34 age group, Maj Charlie Twenty novice shots
Pennington in the 25-29 category took part in the event which
and LMA Mhairi Muir in the 20- comprised two phases: a
24 section; each racer had qualifi ed training stage of 25 clays with
as part of the Great Britain squad tuition and mentoring from
through a number of different club members, followed by a
events held earlier in the season. competition phase of a further
Most of the athletes arrived 25 clays.
in Hamburg three days ahead of The Portsmouth Area Clay
the race, giving them plenty of
Pigeon Club was formed when
time to view the bike course and
HMS Daedalus’ gun club
practise their swimming, writes
combined with HMS Nelson’s
Maj Pennington.
club.
Various sessions were organised
Its aim is to promote the
● Cupid strikes... LOGS Melissa Cupid (RNAS Yeovilton) fl ies towards
the pit in the long jump
by the GB team and whilst it was
sport of clay pigeon shooting
a good idea to tour the course
with serving and former
with someone who knew it, these
Maintaining the balance
members of the Armed Forces
‘touring’ sessions could involve
and MOD civilian staff in the
groups of 50 riders; it was actually
Portsmouth area, and a limited
wiser to ride with a few friends
number of local civilians.
achieving relative success at the
elsewhere.
It holds shoots regularly: on
marina Continued from back page
The roads were generally closed
bred in St Vincent. Amongst the
Inter-Services level, the men
the second and fourth Sundays
off but you had to be careful to
others, approximately 40 per cent,
achieved their highest fi nishing
of each month on the clay
check that you were not riding in
including nine men and eight
place (seventh) for many years in
pigeon range on land to the
another race; we managed to get
women, were making their debut
the Southern Men’s League.
north side of the main ranges at
round at various times including
at Inter-Services level, with fi ve of
Competing in six league Tipner.
at least one puncture (in my case)
these trainees at the Royal Marines
matches, meeting each of the Further information about
which then took the rest of the day
School of Music.
other 24 teams once, there was
to fi nd a replacement. Note to self
the club can be obtained
Future success depends
proof that the RN were as good as
– bring a spare next time.
from the secretary, David
on recruiting similar levels of
any team in the league… they just
After the various practice
Simmonds, at 01903 723472 or
new athletes in years to come
need many of the best athletes to
sessions, either on the bike or in
at secrnpacpc@aol.com
● Crowds applaud Maj Charlie Pennington as he pounds the streets
whilst retaining the interest and
be available.
the water (which turned out to be
of Hamburg during the World Triathlon Championships
motivation of those who move on
Proof came in the penultimate
almost opaque) we were ready to
to new assignments.
match hosted at Victory Stadium
race and nerves started to kick in, and Sgt Lewis 63rd, both with their very best on the day but also
Whilst CPO Paul Hillyard
where the previously unbeaten
making the wait unbearable. good, solid performances. thinking about how they could
(PORFLOT) is likely to remain
and eventual league champions
The hardest part of the build- Cpl Garry Gerrard managed to improve for the next one.
highly motivated for future years,
Cambridge Harriers were narrowly
up was fi nding a restaurant with make good use of his experience Triathlon is a growing sport
this was most likely his fi nal
beaten, their fi rst defeat for two
space the night before as all the from last year in Lausanne, where within the UK and it is one where
representative appearance in a
seasons.
restaurants were packed with the he injured a leg muscle during the the Navy has a good pedigree.
Royal Navy vest at the age of 53.
The fi nal match was also won,
extra 2,000 triathletes who had run (which he was leading). More details at www.rnrmtri.
Gradually improving his
despite being held during the early
descended upon the city. This year was a different story co.uk
performances in many events,
stages of block main leave and
Sunday morning came around and he consolidated a good swim ■ THE hopes of the RN – and
as befi ts a decathlete, he has set
requiring a long journey to the
quickly, mainly due to the relatively with a characteristically rapid bike the UK – in the Ironman World
a fi ne example to younger team
venue at Kings Lynn.
obscene hour the various waves ride, followed up by his usual fast Championships (the ultimate
members, notably through his
Encouraging signs had been
(or age groups) started. run. He was able to take and then triathlon) rest on the shoulders of
noble and sporting manner.
evident in the earlier four matches
The course was generally hold the lead on the run to fi nish WO1 Martin Smith this month.
He will be sorely missed for
at Ilford, Reading (twice) and
regarded as fast due to the fl at 20 seconds ahead of the next The senior rate, a reservist based
his pole-vaulting and multi-event
Portsmouth (Mountbatten
and easy bike course but the fi nisher (another GB athlete) and at RNAS Yeovilton, competes with
prowess and also for his boyish 50-
Centre) where mid-placed fi nishes
transition area made up for that be crowned world champion in the around 1,600 athletes from across
something enthusiasm. It is hoped
exceeded results at similar stages
– the run from the water exit to the 40-44 age group at last. Not bad the globe in Hawaii; all racers
he will remain involved in some
in previous seasons.
transition area was at least 500m for an old man... have previously made the grade in
capacity as he tries to better his
LS Andy Dawkins (Neptune)
and in some cases longer. With the race over we were national ironman championships.
runners-up position achieved in the
was a vital points scorer in all
This was navigated twice – once able to watch the elite men in the Martin will be racing in the over Shooters eye
2007 Veterans (50-plus) National
throwing events through the
on the way into the fi rst transition afternoon give us all a lesson on 50s category after qualifying in the
Decathlon Championship. season.
(swim to bike) and then again at how to complete a triathlon. UK championships in Sherborne
The 2007 Inter-Services Team spirit was also vital to
the second transition (bike to run) Admittedly their course was (he won the British event two up 2008
Championships also marked the cover gaps in the pursuit of position
so overall times were not as fast as different and the rules were slightly years ago in the 45-49 section).
fi nal event as President of RNAA deciding team points – thus a
anticipated. different during the bike leg but The ironman comprises a 2007 has proved a great success
for Rear Admiral Rees Ward prior number of athletes made their
Regardless, there were some the pace was awesome to behold. 2.4-mile swim, then a 112-mile for all the Command teams
to his retirement from the Service. debuts in non-specialist events of
fast times and plenty of slower It certainly showed that cycle ride through the Hawaiian in combat shooting, with
A small presentation was made to which the 3,000m steeplechase
ones too. I certainly struggled to there is still plenty of room for countryside, athletes clamber off many newcomers enjoying the
mark the occasion. remains the least favourite.
sight correctly during the swim improvement. their bikes for a marathon. welcoming, fun and professional
Remaining remarkably fi t over Team strength benefi ted from
and added an extra leg to one of Garry went to collect his medal The fastest ironmen will cross atmosphere which is the RNRM
the years, Rear Admiral Ward was increased numbers compared to
the turning markers which led to a during the ceremony and then the fi nish line in around eight CENSTAM Competition.
previously a Scottish international previous years, although in earlier
slow swim from which I struggled it was back to discussions on hours; Martin hopes to post a time To enter a ship’s team in
1,500m/sub-four-minute miler matches abilities were stretched in
to try and make a regain. the next year’s season and race around the 11-hour mark. the 2008 area Skill-at-Arms
and cross-country runner. sprints and middle-distance events
It was not to be and I fi nished in calendar. Already many were eying The only stumbling block Competition, volunteer for
To date he is the only known through absences and injuries.
a lower position (28th) than I had up the World Championships in presently is fi nancial; the trip to attendance in support of a
Royal Navy winner of a race Competition in the Southern
hoped for, slightly disappointed Vancouver for 2008 and the Gold Hawaii to represent the nation Command Team, or if you are
covered live by the BBC with League provides the foundation but happy to have participated. Coast, Australia, in 2009. will cost £1,500 and because he’s looking to improve your combat
commentary by David Coleman; for competition and development The other RN team members The RN once again proved that not a full-time reservist, the senior shooting skills, log on to the
in the early 1970s he won the for a wide range of athletes. A fared similarly with the notable anything is possible with a little rating doesn’t qualify for sports RNRM Rifl e Association website
Southern 1,500m at Crystal Palace top-fi ve fi nish in 2008 would exception of Cpl Garry Gerrard. hard work and determination. lottery cash. at www.rnrmra.org, or e-mail
with a storming sprint fi nish off see promotion to Division 1, but (more about him in a moment). The fi ve members of the RN team Anyone who fancies sponsoring Lt ‘Dickie’ Byrd, the association’s
the fi nal bend. the team performance will again LMA Muir came 28th in her left Hamburg with a smile, safe in his bid for glory can contact him at CCO at corporate@RNRMRA.
Whilst the women were depend on availability of athletes. group, PO Holman fi nished 55th the knowledge that they had done martinsmith@yeovilton.mod.uk org.
Locost Sean powers to victory
THE 750MC Locost Championship visited lots of practice at sprint racing, and was After hurtling around the hallowed
the home of British motorsport with LET(WE) progressing through the fi eld (pictured, right) Silverstone tarmac, Sean took the Sultan
Sean Graham fl ying the RN fl ag, writes PO when an accident occurred on lap three Locost to Mallory Park to compete against
‘Dutchy’ Holland, HMS Excellent. and caused the red fl ag to be brought out, the RAF, who organise their own races at
Sean (Fleet HQ) got off to a bad start in stopping the race. many venues around the country.
qualifying having to push HMS Sultan’s Once the obstruction had been cleared A very wet and windy race allowed the
Locost (it’s cheap to build, hence the name the drivers re-started in the positions they low-powered Locost (65BHP) to hold its
of the sport) car back to the Silverstone pits held before the red fl ag. own against more exotic machinery such
after three laps due to a broken radiator The resumed session lasted fi ve minutes as a Jaguar D-Type replica, a BMW 1502, a
hose, putting him well down the grid on row plus one lap and saw Sean progress through Renault Megane Dutch Touring Car and a V8
19 (position 38 out of 40) with a registered the fi eld to 25th by the end of the session, Westfi eld.
time of 1m 39s. setting his fastest lap of 1m 20s. On completion of the 12-lap race, Sean
Thankfully, he managed to fi x the hose The accident meant just fi ve of the planned was presented with an engraved glass
before the start of the race. 13 laps could be completed, leaving Sean trophy for a well-deserved fi rst place.
At the start, the leading hand made slightly disappointed that he’d not been able More details on four-wheeled motor racing
up six places straight away thanks to to claw his way further up the fi eld. in the RN at www.rnac.org.uk
043_NN_Oct.indd 1 19/9/07 12:25:05
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