NAVY NEWS, J U N E 1992 Options
35
Gadzooks, pass the astrolabe!
TO CELEBRATE Christopher Columbus' discovery of the Americas in 1492 a tri-service sailing expedition, Exercise Columbus 500, is currently underway. While the successful candidates — 450 Servicemen and women applied for the 72 crew places — are s a i l i n g in a modern racing yacht, a 12berth Nicholson 55ft. yawl, they are using the navigation methods of five centuries past. Project Officer Sqn.-Ldr. Peter French researched Renaissance navigation techniques of the kind employed by Columbus, Diaz and Vasco da Gama. With the help of The Royal Institute of Navigation, Greenwich Maritime Museum and r e n o w n e d seafarer R o b i n Knox-Johnston, Peter was able
to provide plans for replicas of these devices. RAF Henlow then produced excellent instruments — the quadrant, astrolabe, traverse board and crossstaff. The expedition set off from the Joint Services Adventure Sail Training Centre Hornet at Gosport, with the first leg to Lisbon to join the remainder of the Northern European Fleet. Races to Cadiz and Las Palmas followed. The tri-service yacht, Lord Trenchard, is currently racing towards Puerto Rico. Among the crew for this leg are Lieut.-
Cdr. John O'Driscoll ( A R E Southwell), the skipper, Lieut. Bruce Martin (Revenge), the first mate, and WrenRO Rebecca Crow (Portland), who at 23 has taken one of the large proportion of places set aside for the under 25s. Pictured (right) are the crew members of Leg One, lining up to be reviewed by Air Marshal Sir John Thomson at Hornet. Among this crew were CPO Clive Eggington, Cadet Simon Hildesley and POMEA Ian Jary.
CUT AND THRUST BOTH new fencers and many of the more familiar faces demonstrated a high standard of swordsmanship at the Royal Navy Fencing Championships, held in the gymnasium at HMS Sultan. The skill on show gave cause to look for a good result for the Navy in the InterServices Tournament, to be held at Earl's Court next month. Winner in the mens foil was Sub-Lieut. Charles Potter RNR (Eaglet), while Lieut. Maggie Myers won the womens event. Capt. Chris Walker (MOD) won the mens sabre. Dismounted Champion at Arms 1992 is Cpl Paul Kimbley (40 Cdo), who is pictured on his way to winning the epee final against Lieut.-Cdr. Graham Trewhella, the 1991 winner. Picture: Lieut.-Cdr. Nigel Huxtable
Taking on the miohty Russians Young in training for canoe squad GLASGOW and Strathclyde URNU won the Fit-to-Drop Trophy for the third year running after a most successful two days of competition. The result came after some 80 students battled it out over rugby, soccer, field hockey, deck hockey, volleyball, basketball, swimming, gym tests and mess games. Lieut.-Cdr. Paul Engeham, Officer-in-Charge of Glasgow and Strathclyde URNU was presented with the trophy by his opposite number from Aberdeen URNU. Contributing to Glasgow's success was a 34-0 victory in the rugby. Pictured scoring one of the tries is Mid. Garry Young RNR, the Sports Captain. Garry, who is studying for a doctorate in sports physiology at Glasgow University, is hoping to be selected for the British Olympic canoeing team.
TOO FEW SIXTY years old and still going strong, the Milocarian Athletic Club was originally formed to promote athletics among all ranks of the Armed Services. It now also encourages membership from retired Servicemen and civil servants and fields a truly joint Service team in cross-country matches around London. Last season's 15 races included the home fixture at Sandhurst, where eight teams turned out 127 runners, and five races in the Chiltern League. MAC came sixth of 17 teams in the senior category, first in the vets and claimed third individual overall. Although thriving, the Milocarians would like to increase member-
ship — the Navy, in particular, is under-represented. All standards and ages welcome. October 3 sees the start of the new season with the traditional home match at Sandhurst. Meanwhile, there will be entries in summer fun runs in the London area and in the Ron Hill Relays at Rushmoor. • Anyone wanting to run will be given every chance — just contact Fit. Sgt. Mike Sumpter, No 1 AIDU, RAF Northolt, Middlesex HA4 6NG (Tel. Northolt Military 7268) or Neil Wood on 0483 574944 (evenings).
A BUSY programme of matches and cultural visits was undertaken by the 15 members of the Royal Navy water polo squad on their seven day tour of Moscow, writes Lieut. Phil Walter, the captain. They were hosted by the Central Sports Club of the Soviet Navy and considering it is the Soviet Navy which will provide the majority of players for the CIS Barcelona Olympic team, opposition was of a very high standard. Best results for the RN were two drawn games. But the highlight for the players was a game against an ex-Olympic team; the water polo equivalent of a soccer side playing a previous Brazil World Cup team. De rigeur visits to the Kremlin, Red Square and Bolshpi Ballet added to the occasion — as did time spent in a Russian bath house, complete with birch twig beatings!
Special thanks to Assistant Naval Attache, Lieut.-Cdr. Simon Lister, who worked tirelessly to ensure all went smoothly and that the sides understood one another. Officials: Capt. Peter Wason (Collingwood); Lieut.-Cdr. Richard Atkinson (Sultan) and CPOPT Peter Crowley (Temeraire). The Navy team is pictured (above) at the final training session before departure for Russia. Clockwise from "noon": POAEM Steve Thomas (Daedalus), CPOAEA Tony Atkinson (845 NAS), Lieut. Doug White (Collingwood), Lieut. Mark Barrett (849 NAS), CPOMEA Ian "Piggy" Mair (Sultan), POStd Ronnie O'Brien (CSST), LS(D) Alan "Cyril" Knowles, LAEA Neil Tail (702 NAS) and LWtr Andy Pearson (Norfolk). The two in the middle are WEM Barry Norton (North Corner Group) and Mid Steve Etchells (Scylla). Picture: Lieut.-Cdr. Nigel Huxtable