The team managed to pull an ATR-72 aircraft – G-VZON – across the 50m finish line in a time of just 25.83 seconds. The competition proved to be incredibly close on the night, with just eight seconds between all the teams.

Aurigny hosted the event in partnership with Friends of Sri Lanka and Channel Islands Airt Search, with all the proceeds going to the two charities. It is part of a series of events being held this year to help celebrate Aurigny’s 50th anniversary.

Second place went to Guernsey Police and third was claimed by the Sure Team called ‘It’s A Sure Thing’.

Paul Ainsworth, PR Manager at Aurigny, said: “We’d just like to thank all the teams for joining us on the night and putting on such a spectacle. We never expected the competition to be quite so close, with only a few seconds between all the teams.

“It was a great night for Aurigny to be involved in. A unique event that we hope to be able to put on again. On behalf of Aurigny, I’d just like to thank everyone who has helped to make the night possible, including the two charities and Guernsey Airport.

“A particular thanks to Nicky and Graham Queripel of Friends of Sri Lanka, and David Hugo of the Guernsey Friends of Air Search, who put so much time and effort as co-organisers.”

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Pictured: Crossfit team with the ATR.

Nicky and Graham Queripel, founders of Friends Of Sri Lanka said: “Friends Of Sri Lanka were honoured and privileged to be able to team up with Channel Islands Air Search for this unique fundraising event as part of Aurigny’s 50th Anniversary. The event was something very different from the normal fundraising ideas and it was nice to involve so many people. 

“It was a nice friendly atmosphere this evening and very competitive amongst all the team taking part, but overall they all had fun.”

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Pictured: Crossfit team pulling the ATR

David Hugo, Guernsey Friends of Air Search, said: “Channel Islands Air Search is run entirely by volunteers but we need to raise around £140,000 annually to keep this Search and Rescue service in the sky.  It is always a challenge to devise new and inspiring fundraising ideas, and so we were delighted when Aurigny agreed to help Friends of Sri Lanka and Guernsey Friends of Air Search stage the Great Aircraft Pull.  

“The event drew a considerable amount of interest from the community, and we are very grateful to the many people who helped make the event possible by giving their time, help and advice, but not least to Paul Ainsworth and the team at Aurigny, and Graham and Nicky Queripel of Friends of Sri Lanka.  Thanks also to all those who took part, and we hope that you enjoyed the event as much as we did.”

The full results are as follows:

1.CrossFit Castaway 25.83 seconds (overall winners)

2.Guernsey Police 26.71 seconds 

3.Sure 28.11 seconds 

4.Guernsey’s Strongest Club 28.29 Seconds

5.Norman Piette 29.28 Seconds

6. Aurigny 31.13 Seconds

7. Hampshire Lodge & Beddel Cristin 34.05 Seconds