Sports

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper The CFB Esquimalt Tritons made history on Sept 16 by winning the Commodore’s Cup for the first time after defeating the 19 Wing Comox Totems 28-20 at Colville Field.  The annual flag football game brings together the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), represented by Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt, and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), represented by 19 Wing Comox, in a friendly but competitive showdown for the Cup.  Since the inaugural matchup in 2022, the trophy has belonged to 19 Wing Comox, a streak that is now broken. On home soil for its fifth iteration, the Tritons secured their first victory against the RCAF after months of preparation and teamwork.   [caption id="attachment_361218" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Members of the CFB Esquimalt Tritons flag football team at Colville Field on Sept 16. Photo: Pte John MacKay, MARPAC Imaging[/caption] “We came up short a couple times early in the game, but the hard work that the fellas put in throughout the summer really came through,” said Lieutenant(N) (Lt(N)) Zachary Champion. “It really was a group effort all round.”   Next year, the Commodore’s Cup will take place at 19 Wing Comox for yet another matchup the Tritons are eager to claim once more.  

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper SLt Mitchell Keay placed 18th overall at Tour de Victoria 2026, finishing first in his division after two years of training. He reflected on how cycling shaped his confidence and career with the RCN. - Two years ago, Sub-Lieutenant (SLt) Mitchell Keay completed Tour de Victoria’s 100-kilometre (km) distance in 219th place. This August, he crossed the same finish line in 18th place, and first in his division — a result even he admits caught him off guard.  Racing in the men’s 30-34 division at Tour de Victoria this year with the hope of placing within the top 100, SLt Keay posted a chip time of 3:10:43 over the 100 km course.   “Moving through the course, I felt really good,” he said. “It was a punchy and dynamic race, and at the start I felt prepared, excited, and very strong.” SLt Keavy held an average heart rate of 163 BPM throughout the race, close to what he considers the edge of what’s sustainable over three to four hours. A sign, he shared, of dialed-in pacing built on a year of dedicated training.  SLt Keay has served in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) for more than a decade, first joining in April 2015 and working as a Naval Communicator (NAV COMM) before switching trades to become a Naval Warfare Officer (NWO) in 2023. Today, he works as an Assistant Analyst in the Reserve Management Cell at Personnel Coordination Centre Pacific  PCC(P), facilitating administration for Naval Reserve (NAVRES) personnel employed on the West Coast.  While cycling has been part of SLt Keay’s life since childhood, it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that it became something more. While living in Hamilton and taking part in Operation (Op) LASER in 2020, he completed his first 100km ride with a roommate.  “It was hard, but I quite enjoyed it,” said SLt Keavy. After relocating to Quebec City to work at NAVRES Headquarters...

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper. Contributions by Master Warrant Officer Robert James Kerr, Real Property Operations  The Engineers defeated the Bandits 4–3 in a thrilling overtime final to win the 2026 Beaver Cup. The tournament has united military members, veterans, and civilians for over 50 years of tradition. - Competition, camaraderie, and overtime action took over Wurtele Arena as Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt hosted the annual Beaver Cup hockey tournament from April 22 to 24.   Four teams, including the Bandits, Engineers, Sappers, and Pioneers, took to the ice in a tournament built on connection as much as competition. Players consisted of Real Property Operations (RP Ops) personnel; active and retired Military Engineers; and members from other units, mixed across the four teams.   “The Beaver Cup hockey tournament was originally initiated in order to maintain espirit de corps,” said Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Robert James Kerr, who noted that the tournament has existed for more than 50 years. “It initially started in the 1970s in Eastern Canada, and in the mid-80s out west.”   From 1996 to 2019, CFB Esquimalt and CFB Comox alternated hosting duties every second year. Since the pandemic, the tournament has been held solely in Esquimalt since 2024.  This year’s iteration of the tournament featured two days of round-robin play, with each team playing four games. The scores concluded with the Bandits topping the standings, followed by the Engineers, Sappers, and Pioneers. This set the stage for Friday’s medal games.   In the championship game, the Engineers defeated the Bandits in overtime to claim the Beaver Cup title 4-3.   [caption id="attachment_335970" align="aligncenter" width="828"] Beaver Cup champions, the Engineers (in red), and runner-up team, the Bandits (in black), pose for a group photo on April 24. Photo: Krista Morgan[/caption] “With a goal waved off in the final minutes of the third period, the finals...