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Royal Air Force News Friday, August 21, 2026 P23
Sport FOOTBALL
Red Arrow puts on a fine display for Cowes Week
SAILING
Daniel Abrahams ON TARGET: Must be a 'Flight' Sergeant
Going for the treble with RAF football AIRSHOW AND other outdoor events have been kicking it with the 25ft-high RAF inflatable dartboard. The novel attraction has wowed crowds at events for the last eight years and continued to do so at the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford and the Royal Welsh Show on Llanelwedd, Builth Wells. Children and adults alike enjoyed kicking footballs at the Velcro® dartboard – also on show at Brize Norton’s Summer Soccer Camp, Nottingham University Roadshow, Ducklington Sports Club and Linear Fisheries – with RAF Football Association personnel handing out flyers to show the wide number of opportunities within RAF Football. An association spokesperson said: “This interactive activity allows for the RAF Football offer to be advertised to a wide audience. There was plenty of engagement and interest, which was great to see. “With football being the largest participating sport across the RAF, there are plenty of opportunities for individuals, underlying the important role that football can play as a vehicle for good, including in both RAF recruitment and retention.” ● Visit: royalairforcefa.com to find out more about Service football.
RAF SAILING’S J/109 Red Arrow completed a challenging Cowes Week, racing against some of the best crews in the UK and overseas in a 13-boat fleet. Led by skipper WO Jim Will, the crew combined experienced offshore racers with several sailors competing in the famous event for the first time. Will said: “Cowes Week once again delivered everything that makes offshore sailing such a unique challenge. “Seeing HRH The Princess Royal wave to the crew before the start was a memorable moment, but once the gun went, our focus turned to racing. Sailing in 24 knots of breeze against a strong national and international J/109 fleet was a fantastic test, and I’m proud of how our mix of experienced sailors and Cowes Week newcomers worked together.” Personnel developed in confidence, working together through a wide range of conditions and close tactical racing as the week progressed, dealing with strong winds which reached a peak on what became known as Wild Wednesday. Racing remained highly competitive throughout the week, with every start, wind shift and mark rounding proving decisive. On Friday’s race, one J/109 ran aground after being forced into shallow water during a close tacking duel, which Will said ‘highlighted the fine margins of Solent racing’. Despite the demanding conditions, the aviators completed the regatta safely, gaining valuable experience against a fleet featuring leading national and international teams. The association’s focus now turns to the Inter-Services Offshore Regatta later this month, where Red Arrow will once again represent the RAF as it goes headto-head with Royal Navy and British Army crews in the annual offshore sailing competition. ● Find out more about RAF sailing at: rafsailing.co.uk
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