9th-12th-Lancers - Year 2002 - Page 0053
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| Regiment | 9th/12th Lancers |
|---|---|
| Year | 2002 |
| Transcription |
REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE 9TH/12TH ROYAL LANCERS (PRINCE OF WALES’S) 51 The Scottish Islands Peak Race 2002 f the fifty boats that entered Tunnocks’ Scottish Islands Peak Race 2002 only 23 completed this arduous course. Each mile sailed and every peak we clambered up was a battle against wind, tide and weather. Some lost sails and two yachts lost their masts, such was the weather during the race. Set on the west coast of Scotland between Oban and Troon (southeast of Glasgow), the race has taken place in May each year for the last twenty years, although as with so many similar events the foot and mouth outbreak put paid to the competition in 2001. I skippered a novice (to the race) crew of four officers then studying at the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham: three Royal Engineers and one Royal Electrical and Mechanic Engineer (all ofwhom have served with the Royal Marines). Taking advantage of participating in such a gruelling race, we decided to raise money for a really worthwhile cause: the Army Benevolent Fund, the Army’s charity, which helps soldiers, eX-soldiers and their families who are in need. Starting at Oban on the Friday, the race opens with a ‘Le Mons’ style start: a five mile run around the town and then a short row back to board the yachts holding 50 yards off shore. From there the race covers 160 nautical miles via three islands (Mull, Jura and Arran), whose highest hills are climbed (Ben Moore on Mu11, the three Paps of]ura and Goat Fell on Arran) by pairs of runners from within the five-man crew, amounting to 60 land miles. The Sound of Luig and Mu11 of Kintyre posed major obstacles for most of the fleet including our boat . Although a seaworthy yacht she was sluggish, which meant that we hit a foul tide as we approached Jura through the Sound and later, after completing the three Paps of]ura, the wind, coming up from the southeast and gusting 30-40 knots, made rounding the Mu11 of Kintyre a seriously uncomfortable yet not insuperable challenge, although one which fourteen yachts declined to meet. We crossed the finishing line at Troon Marina at 8 am on the Monday after 67 hours and 41 minutes tough sailing and hard running. This placed us 23rd in the field overall and 2nd out of the five Services crews that included a Special Forces team. Lu 0:; Pam: [Lscz 'Jtll’ t}: T'JNITIIEB': It was a demanding race but wholly worthwhile, which thanks to the generosity of our sponsors allowed us to hand the Army Benevolent Fund over £1,000. Next year? Well perhaps, but we’ll need to do a bit more training and fell running practice before then! Although a tough challenge its easy enough to find out about entering the race by visiting www.sipr.zetnet.co.uk. W]OF Ma/or Fooks swear/Hg at the cameraman win/st run/7mg up the @*/y% Paps of Jura |
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