The Invictus Games Sydney 2018 got off to a flying start for France today, as they were awarded the first gold medals of the Games by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The French team, made up of Cedric Arci and Mickael Rachin, took gold in the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge, in which 12 nations went head-to-head in a test of driving and navigation skills.

Watched by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, teams comprising of a driver and navigator completed challenges in a Jaguar I-PACE. The challenges included driving through a water slalom obstacle, a precision driving test and a ‘smart cone’ course.

With the two quickest teams qualifying for the gold medal showdown, it was France who came out on top, finishing faster than silver medallists Australia, who were represented by Craig McGrath and Scott Reynolds. After finishing with the third quickest time in the heats, the United Kingdom team of Mark Perkins and Daniel Bingley took bronze.

Prof. Dr Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover CEO, said:

“Having been Presenting Partner of the Invictus Games since they were founded in 2014, everyone at Jaguar Land Rover is hugely passionate about this event. On behalf of all our employees, I’d like to congratulate today’s medallists and wish all competitors the best of luck for what promises to be a memorable and inspiring week of competition in Sydney.”