Navy wins Tower de Force Challenge

The Tower de force Challenge was won by the Royal New Zealand Navy team at SkyCity on Saturday, despite a strong showing from last year’s winners, the NZ Army.

The Navy team won the most points for the strength exercises (rope climbs, jerry can runs, tyre toss and fireman’s carry), the stair run, complex first aid test, mast climb and abseil.

Once all team members were assembled at the finish line, stood to attention and raised their flag, their finish time was taken.

New Zealand Defence Force teams from Army, Navy and Air Force competed in the charity event that this year was aligned with Mike King’s ‘I am hope’ campaign’ for the Key to Life Charitable Trust.

Strong winds and drizzle for much of the contest did not reduce the festive atmosphere and enthusiasm from the large crowd of supporters at the base of the Tower. The Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Proctor and the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, were also there to support the teams.

The introduction of a live video feed from the stairwell, the first aid station and the abseil finish to a big screen in front of the Tower was a popular innovation with the public.

The final result was 1. Navy, 2 Army, 3 SkyCity team.