On the piste ...
CONTENTS AWSA OFFICIALS
with the Editor
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CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD
2009 has been the year of SNOW! Not only did it snow in the Alps, it snowed in UK, disrupting transport, causing salt shortages, and upsetting our normal way of life! But for boarders and skiers, including those on Nordic skis in Richmond Park, Hyde Park or Obertilliach, it has been a bumper year.The only downside has been the appalling rates for foreign currency, the Euro in particular. 2009 has brought it home to all that skiing (or boarding) is an expensive sport – but our article Letter from America highlights some of the ways to cut the costs.
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AWSA SEASON 2009/2010 EVENTS ........................................................................ 7 ALPINE – MAJOR HUGH CAMPBELL-SMITH
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EX SPARTAN HIKE – ALPINE – COLONEL STEPHEN JAMES ...................................10–11 NORDIC – EX RUCKSACK – BRIGADIER JOHN MCINTOSH ......................................12–14 EX SPARTAN HIKE – NORDIC – LIEUTENANT COLONEL CHARLES BROMLEY GARDNER .......................................................16–17
We have two features on the problems faced by fit soldiers who have suffered serious injuries or amputations in the war zones of Iraq or Afghanistan. Undeterred by these injuries, a gang of intrepid soldiers have been training hard for future selection to the Paralympic Olympic Winter Games, among them Rory Mackenzie and Martin Hewitt. Both Rory and Martin I encountered on the Help for Heroes 350 mile charity bicycle ride through Northern France in May 2008. Rory shot past me at 80 kph down a hill and admitted later he was scared – a sensation which the intrepid Medic seldom acknowledges! It was hardly a surprise to learn that he had broken his one good leg on the ski hill. Rory and Martin both display the guts and determination shown by so many of our young soldiers whom we admire and of whom we are so proud.
ARMY TELEMARK – MAJOR JOHN CAREY-HUGHES ...............................................18–19 SNOWBOARD – SSGT (SSI) J CRAIG APTC.......................................................... 20–21 CRESTA – CAPTAIN RICHARD MORGAN RWXY.......................................................... 22–23 EX CRESTA – TA CHAMPIONSHIPS – LT GILES FEARN RWXY .................. 24–25 SKELETON – MAJOR PETE MCCLELLAN .................................................................... 26–27 LUGE – COLONEL JOHN SAVILLE ........................................................................................... 28 ARMY BOBSLEIGH – LIEUTENANT COLONEL MATT PERKIN .................................. 29–30 ARMY NOVICE BOBSLEIGH – MAJOR HELEN CARTER RAMC........................ 30–31
Our other disabled feature focuses on BattleBack, an initiative set up by the Ministry of Defence, which has given hope to many amputees, taking them to the slopes and giving them the opportunity to get back on snow with specialised equipment. BattleBack, based at Headley Court, supports all three Services.
THE INFERNO DOWNHILL – A DEVIL’S OWN COURSE! – LT COL M S PERKIN ................................................................................................................... 32
THE EAGLE SOARS AGAIN ........................................................................................... 33 THE ARCTIC RACE – MAJOR NEIL ASHFORD RA ................................................ 34–36
We also have an interview with intrepid Eddie“The Eagle”Edwards, and a report on a gutsy trek over the Arctic wastes by Major Neil Ashford RA. Sadly one of our Vice Presidents, Maj Gen David Horsfield, a pillar and keen supporter of the Army Ski Association and later AWSA, died in December just before his 92nd birthday.We include a tribute to him.
EX SNOW WARRIOR – MAJOR MARTIN COLCLOUGH .................................................. 37 COMBINED SERVICES DISABLED SKI TEAM – SKILLS CAMP 2008 – COLONEL DAVID EADIE (LATE QRL) ............................. 38–39 SNOASIS ............................................................................................................................... 40
On the recreational front, we revisit Formigal, a little known but good value ski resort in the Spanish Pyrenees, and endure a surfeit of snow and cheese in the Swiss resorts of Saas Fee and Lenk/Adelboden. Our Letter from America includes tips on cutting costs on the other side of the pond. 2009 may have been tough, but 2010 may prove even more expensive.We must hope that the good snow we all enjoyed this season returns to maximise the fun in 2010 and outweigh the financial constraints.
A SWISS MYSTERY .......................................................................................................... 41 LETTER FROM AMERICA – CELIA FIELDER ......................................................... 42–43 FORMIGAL – 38 YEARS ON ...................................................................................... 44 RECESSION – WILL IT KILL THE SKI INDUSTRY? ............................................... 45 OBITUARIES ................................................................................................................ 46–47 LOTTERY FORMS .............................................................................................................. 48
In the interim, the Editor is off to climb Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Help for Heroes. Anyone who may wish to lend support on this tough, and formidable adventure may do so by clicking on to www.justgiving.com/celiafielder1
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM ......................................................................... 50
Happy skiing! Celia Fielder
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Mrs C F Fielder 6 Heidegger Crescent, Barnes, London SW13 8HA Tel: 0208 741 2290 Email: celiafielder@aol.com
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