Lieutenant Ollie from RAF Marham represented Team GB at the International Contest of Seamanship in Denmark this summer, competing against multiple crews from across Europe and the Americas as part of a demanding programme of maritime skills events.
The competition tested crews across 15 events over seven days, spanning rowing and sailing races, man overboard (MOB) rescue, jackstay transfer, navigation and ropework. Team GB excelled in the rowing disciplines, taking home four gold medals, and were also presented with the Dr Matt Murphy Trophy for the Display of Excellent Rowing Skills. The sailing team also secured a podium finish, with Team GB placing third overall behind Ireland and the USA.
Among the standout performances was the Passage Race, a 12 nautical mile event around the fjord in Roskilde. Team GB completed the course in 97 minutes and 18 seconds, the only crew to finish inside 100 minutes; the second-placed team came in at 101 minutes 56 seconds.
Ollie also took the helm as cox for Team GB's boat in the Captain's Gig Event, which involved collecting a dignitary from a Viking longboat moored offshore and delivering them to a pier, navigating a notably tight bridge along the way. With illness affecting several members of the squad, Ollie ended up featuring in the crew for every one of the competition's 15 events.
The full results were as follows: Slalom 1, 4th; Slalom 2, 2nd; MOB, 4th; Passage Race, 1st; Sailing 1, 3rd; Oars and Sails 1, 1st; Oars and Sails 2, 1st; Sailing 2, 3rd; Navigation, 4th; Rowing, 1st. Ollie also joined the US crew as Main Mast Captain for the Esprit event, helping them to a second-place finish.
Beyond the competition itself, Ollie brought his energy to the wider squad, leading warm-up and mobility sessions for Team GB that soon expanded to include athletes from Ireland, the USA and Denmark. This grew into a daily "Bring Sally Up" squat challenge and BOGA (Boat Yoga) sessions, with competitors attempting to hold a variety of yoga positions while balanced on the boats.
A personal victory
This win meant even more given Ollie's mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier this year. Pushing himself to total physical exhaustion, and with his mum's maiden name being Murphy, lifting the Dr Matt Murphy Trophy was a truly special moment.
A decade of dedication
Ollie's rowing journey began in 2011 with Fowey Gig Club, and he has since rowed for Castle Dore Rowing Club, the University of South Wales Rowing Club, Llandaff Rowing Club, RAF Rowing Club, the Royal Navy Rowing Association, Culdrose Gig Club and Devoran Gig Club. He has represented the Navy and Fleet Air Arm at multiple World Championship events, including the World Indoors in Canada in 2023 and the World Pilot Gig Championships in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Ollie was first selected for Team GB back in 2019, but the intervening years brought setback after setback: the 2020 and 2022 contests were cancelled due to Russia hosting, while the 2024 event in the USA had to be missed following a shipping incident. This year's success in Denmark therefore marks the culmination of a long-awaited opportunity.
Looking ahead, Ollie will take on a crew and coaching role for the next championships, to be held in Ireland in 2028, and is encouraging any interested service personnel to apply.
