News
September 2007:SKYGUARD wins the IBP-Flying Squad Challenge Trophy
Despite demands for a recount, Skyguard Technologies narrowly won the coveted IBP-Flying Squad trophy
in their first attempt, following the 6th Focus on Robbery™ Symposium.
The winning Skyguard Technologies team receives the trophy from Andy Smith.
Immediately after the highly successful robbery symposium held at Hayling island Sailing Club on 13 and 14 September, the annual sailing race for the IBP-Flying Squad Challenge Yacht Trophy took place in Hayling Bay in fantastic sailing weather; (see www.ibp-group.com/news/current.htm for further details)
Crews from ADT, Fog Bandit, Skyguard Technologies and IBP-Group took part in this hotly contested competition to win the magnificent trophy donated by the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad, in recognition of the long-standing partnership between the Flying Squad and IBP.
In perfect sailing conditions the four crews set out from Hayling Island Sailing Club under the supervision of professional skippers to compete in the two legs of the competition.
Despite Digby Ram, IBP-Group Managing Director, having bagged the 44 foot vessel for his crew, Skyguard and the other three teams were required to sail in 37 foot craft. Notwithstanding this obvious advantage, spirits were high and it was generally agreed that as it was Digby's 60th birthday that day, he should be allowed to lead his team in the largest boat and the competition got under way.
Having comprehensively won the 1st leg, due to superior seamanship coupled with the 'misunderstanding' which caused the remainder to take the wrong course, Skyguard were in an unassailable position. Despite demands for an extra third leg, the Skyguard team performed outstandingly in all races to carry off the trophy.
Skyguard would like to thank 'Geoff', our professional skipper without whom none of this would have been possible. Geoff drilled the team of landlubbers making up the crew in a most gentlemanly manner and succeeded in helping us to avoid both serious injury and getting unnecessarily wet.
The flotilla sets out.
IBP-Group has supported the work of the Flying Squad for over ten years in the provision of rapid reaction smoke-dye packs for vulnerable retail premises in order that they have time to improve their security during that critical period following a robbery, when repeat victimisation is at the highest risk.
