// Air Force Win!
- NZDF Inter-Service Cycle Challenge
By FLTLT Matt Tristram
The inaugural New Zealand Defence Force Inter-Service Cycle Challenge—part of the 33rd Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, held on Saturday 28 November 2009—saw the Air Force Team take the winner’s trophy.
Over 11,000 cyclists lined up for the event, which included a 160 km lap of Lake Taupo and an 80 km mountain bike circuit. The Air Force entered 42 riders to take on a similar strength entry from Army. In total, NZDF was exceptionally well represented with some 110 Navy, Army, and Air personnel either riding or supporting the event.
Both Air Force and Army riders were conspicuous with our respective branded strips, which drew numerous calls of encouragement from the crowd and other participants.
Our Director of Recruiting, Squadron Leader Andy Greig, even managed to get himself on SKY TV’s coverage of the event. However, it’s understood that Sergeant ‘Horse’ Sutherland is gutted that his “deep and meaningful” interview with John Bridges (ex-ICE TV presenter and avid cyclist) only made it as far as the editing room floor!
Lake Taupo Lap
Solid riding by the Air Force team helped ensure our success in taking out the Inter-Service Trophy. A small amount of fortune did go our way. However it involved one of Army’s top riders receiving an early puncture. A number of Army riders were also involved in a nasty crash causing minor injuries to some, but more significantly, requiring helo evacuation of WO2 Aaron Williamson to Rotorua hospital for observation. All credit to the two Army riders who immediately stepped in to assist.
Mountain Bike Circuit
Our NZDF riders were first across the line—Sergeant Ted Edmeades (5:29:51) and Corporal Graham Russell (5:50:42)—an excellent achievement given that the course was described as one “not for Roadies”.
Relay Event
In the relay category, the pairing of Air Force’s SGT Danny Van Kan and Kerri Cooley (5:21:28) squeaked home just ahead of the ‘Purple Force’ team of Group Captain Clarke and Lieutenant Colonel Kaihau (5:23:23).
Maxi-Enduro Event
Army’s Senior Sergeant Ron Skelton deserves a huge ‘well done’ for his 3rd place overall in the 640 km Maxi-Enduro event—4 laps of the lake—completing it in a record time of 28:06:52!
Acknowledgements
The Air Force team would like to acknowledge:
- the Auckland Base Welfare Fund for supporting Auckland personnel with entry discounts, and funding the Air Force branded cycle clothing
- Expeditionary Support Squadron Ohakea for their support to the Ohakea team
- the Recruiting team for their on-site presence, and
- the Red Checkers for their display before prize-giving at the Taupo Domain.
Looking ahead
Next year we’re sure that Army will be eager to ‘up the ante’ in an effort to secure the trophy, however Air Force is equally keen to step up and retain the title!
Keep your calendar free for the weekend of 10–11 April 2010 for the Army Inter-Regional Cycle Champs too—they have invited us, and are keen to exact revenge!
Results
| Placing |
Name |
Base |
Time |
| Lake Taupo Lap |
| 1st |
AC Tom Francis |
Woodbourne |
4:14:10 |
| 2nd |
LAC Daz Cole |
Auckland |
4:15:20 |
| 3rd |
SGT ‘Jar’ Millar |
Auckland |
4:18:47 |
| 4th |
FLTLT Blair Oldershaw |
Auckland |
4:23:48 |
| Relay Event |
| 1st |
SGT Danny Van Kan
and Kerri Cooley |
Ohakea |
5:21:28 |
| 2nd |
Group Captain Clarke
and Lieutenant Colonel
Kaihau (Army) |
Auckland |
5:23:23 |
Background
The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is the largest cycling event in New Zealand. Director of Recruiting, Squadron Leader Andy Greig was quick to capitalise on the recruiting opportunity the event provided—for the past two years the Red Checkers Flying Display, together with the Army Band, an Army team, and Army MOG providing a strong NZDF recruitment presence.
The NZDF presence was hugely appreciated by the 20,000 plus cyclists and supporters. So much so that the event organisers approached the NZDF and suggested a new trophy category—a healthy competition between the Navy, Army, and Air Force for this year and the years to follow. The rest, as they say, is now history!
Air Force-Branded Cycle Clothing
A second order of Air Force-branded cycle clothing will go ahead in the first quarter of 2010. The current range includes:
- short-sleeve jerseys
- water/windproof vests
- shorts and bib-shorts
- arm and knee warmers.
If there is enough interest, then an order for:
- long-sleeve jerseys
- full-length leg warmers
- rain jackets, and other items may be possible.
Orders are open to RNZAF Regular Force, Reserves, and civilian employees.
Register your interest now with:
- FLTLT Matt Tristram
- FLTLT Craig Kenny—Ohakea orders only
- F/S Nigel Timpson—Woodbourne orders only