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Royal Air Force News Friday, November 3, 2023 P31
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pages of the best of RAF Sports action
POWERLIFTING
Daniel Abrahams
A MASSIVE Inter-Services performance by the RAF’s women sealed this year’s powerlifting titles at Cosford. The culmination of the season saw the event become the first to be held under new competition rules after a recent move to national governing body British Powerlifting. RAFPA OIC Flt Lt Sam Burgess said: “This was the best military powerlifting event I have been involved with, from the commitment of our support staff to the camaraderie of the competitors, and the seamless running of the day. Powerlifting as a sport is on the rise and this was a fantastic advert for what military powerlifting can offer.” The RAF women were out to secure first place for a second year running, while the men were gunning for top spot. The morning sessions could not have kicked off in better style as the women recorded the overall win with 814.66 points compared to the Army’s 760.1 and the Royal Navy’s 660.81 in third. They also secured individual first and third places, through AS1 Lucy Robinson with 456.9 points and AS1 Ellie Swankie on 38.51.
Two in a row as women power through
TOP MAN: AS1 Alex Ayres took honours
BENCH PRESS: Sgt Charlie Elson
In the afternoon the men came home third on 897.21 points, narrowly missing out behind the Navy on 900.80 and the Army,
the Navy’s Sgt Liam Clarke (445.44). RAF powerlifting’s outgoing chairman, Sqn Ldr Chris Marshall, said: “What a brilliant day, this has
been, the best attended and greatest of all the Inter-Services events I have supported in my 15 years of military powerlifting.”
victors, on 902.82 points. There was consolation by way of an individual first place for AS1 Alex Ayres (463.2 points), ahead of
SQUAT: Flt Lt Rachael Robertson
WING FOIL
Ian & Dave wing their way to Inter-Services triumph BOARD MEMBERS: (l-r) Cpl Ian Savage (also leading in main picture), Sqn Ldr Barney Polden and Gp Capt Dave Keighley at Chichester Harbour in West Sussex
CHICHESTER HARBOUR was the venue for the RAF’s first-ever wing foil Inter-Services one-two win for Cpl Ian Savage and Gp Capt Dave Keighley respectively. Cpl Savage, who celebrated his 58th birthday on the event’s final day and has been at the forefront of the Service’s team in this ‘young sport’ said: “Conditions were really challenging with winds gusting from 18 to 32 knots. This made equipment choice a critical factor and resulted in some close and exciting racing.”
The final event consisted of four downwind slalom races where wing foilers negotiated three buoys set out in the harbour, just off the coast of Thorney Island – now home to Army Sailing Association kite surfers based at the Inshore Sail Training Centre at Baker Barracks. Sqn Ldr Barney Polden, one of Savage’s first students, said: “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous before the competition; not only was this my first time wing foil racing but the conditions were daunting too.
"But, after safely making it round the course in the first race with only a couple of wipe-outs, I quickly started to gain confidence. It was also great to see the other RAF team riders doing so well. I’m already looking forward to the next event.” Savage added: “It was a resounding success and there are plans to run a whole season of events next year.” l Follow the RAF Kite Surfers and Wing Foilers on Instagram: @rafkitesurfing_wingfoiling