JLR supports veteran initiative
Invictus games kicks off with driving challenge in Jag’s back yardThe inaugural Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style initiative that invites battlefield injured military veterans to compete in a range of sports, has kicked off in Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) own backyard. And Aussies took out the first gold medal.
The five-day event centred on London and involving 11 nations started today with a two-part driving challenge at JLR's Gaydon Proving Ground. Teams of two (driver and navigator) competed in tarmac and off-road events in Jaguar F-TYPE Convertibles and Land Rover Discoverys respectively.
Other sports centred on London's Olympic facilities include cycling, athletics, archery and wheelchair rugby.
JLR is a presenting partner of the Invictus Games. Royal patronage of the event via Prince Harry and The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge ensured the event was held just six months (approximately) from its inception. The event was in-part inspired by a US concept.
Among the nations competing alongside Australia in the first Invictus games were the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany, France and Italy.
Australia was represented in the motorsport challenges by Australian Army regular sapper Matt Taxis and recently discharged Military Police Corporal, Sarah Archibald.
Although the pair struck trouble in the off-road course after drowning their Discovery in the heats, the Aussies were fastest on the tarmac gymkhana and made it into the final four drive-off by the skin of their teeth.
In the final they continued their tarmac pace but also took out fastest in the off-road challenge to win gold. Germany narrowly edged out Holland for the silver medal.
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