Inter Services Regatta Sails Into Action In Gosport

The Inter Services offshore regatta has started in Gosport.

The week-long race sees teams from the Army, Navy and the RAF sail to win the trophy.

The Navy are the current holders of the competition having won for the past two years, but the Army and RAF will provide stiff opposition according to the team captain, Chief Petty Officer Alex Pickles.

She said: "The Army have got a very strong team and so have the RAF.

"It doesn’t necessarily mean that it is easy in the bag.

"We will have to really work hard to pull this one out."

The Army are determined to end the Navy’s reign and according to Major Will Naylor, there are a number of factors that go into being the winning team.

He said: "Offshore sailing is hard. It’s good fun but it also pretty adventurous.

“You have to be a really strong team. You need to work hard as a team together to get the boat moving as fast as possible.

“It’s not about cruising around. It’s certainly a lot tougher than that. The crews will work really hard.

“It’s also cerebral. There is a lot of thinking involved especially with the slower boats. You need to think about tides and windshifts."

Meanwhile, the RAF are there not just to make up the numbers. Team captain, Flight Sergeant Jim Will hopes a good performance will result in an Air Force victory.

He said: "We are here to play a good role in the racing and push for the wins.

"We’re in with a chance as good as anyone else on the water."