In Pictures: Chap Olympiad 2012

Franco Milazzo
By Franco Milazzo Last edited 140 months ago
In Pictures: Chap Olympiad 2012
Within the hospital tent,. the Flirtinis provided medicinal fluids.
Within the hospital tent,. the Flirtinis provided medicinal fluids.
This year's Chap Olympiad stretched over two days for the first time.
This year's Chap Olympiad stretched over two days for the first time.
A strict dress code saw chaps of all ilks decked out in a range of finery.
A strict dress code saw chaps of all ilks decked out in a range of finery.
As last year, the Olympiad was sold out well in advance of the weekend.
As last year, the Olympiad was sold out well in advance of the weekend.
Chap-hop singer Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer provided the half-time entertainment.
Chap-hop singer Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer provided the half-time entertainment.
Compere Tristan Langlois' dispensed arid wit as he oversaw what occasionally became "a tour de farce."
Compere Tristan Langlois' dispensed arid wit as he oversaw what occasionally became "a tour de farce."
Guests were dressed to the 1929s.
Guests were dressed to the 1929s.
The Three-Trousered Limbo saw some unusual partnerships.
The Three-Trousered Limbo saw some unusual partnerships.
The Umbrella Joust is an perennial highlight.
The Umbrella Joust is an perennial highlight.
The Hop, Skip and G&T penalised spillages. Cue skullduggery.
The Hop, Skip and G&T penalised spillages. Cue skullduggery.
Gin Allure, the Boudica of the ironing board, came second.
Gin Allure, the Boudica of the ironing board, came second.
Lucy Elastic with a low-flying attempt at the Cucumber Sandwich Discus
Lucy Elastic with a low-flying attempt at the Cucumber Sandwich Discus

What ho! Chaps and chapettes of all persuasions gathered last weekend in Bedford Square Gardens for The Chap Olympiad, an annual vintage bash which celebrates in equal measure panache, imagination and skullduggery.

For the first time, the Olympiad was split over two days. There was no shortage of well-attired contestants lining up to take part in the games like Ironing Board Surfing, the Hop, Skip and G&T and The Three Trousered Limbo. Umbrella Jousting saw brave souls clamber aboard bicycles and speed towards each other with only an umbrella and a briefcase to defend themselves while the Cucumber Sandwich Discus brought out the competitive spirit and almost led to a couple of the attendant papparazzi being decapitated by flying plates.

The arid wit of compère Tristan Langlois kept the audience amused as did some of the contestant names (for example, Lucy Elastic and Gaylord Fistingdon). Stewards kept a keen eye on proceedings with immediate disqualifications imposed for wearing sports clothing or training shoes. Meanwhile, the Flirtinis were on hand to stretcher off any injured participants in between handing out medicinal measures of gin.

All photos (c) Lisa Thomson.

Last Updated 12 July 2012