Snow and Ice 2011 by Catharine Moss

ARMY WINTER SPORTS ASSOCIATION

and

ICE

Army Winter Sports Association a: Clayton Barracks, Thornhill Road, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU11 2BG t: 94222 3582 (military) t: (01252) 348582 f: 94222 3557 (military) f: (01252) 348557 e: membership@awsa.org.uk w: www.awsa.org.uk

In this issue 2011 4

Season Events 2011-2012

AWSA News

Alpine

Bobsleigh

Cresta

Patron HRH The Duke of Kent KG GCMG CCVO KSGC ADC (P)

Luge

President Gen Sir Peter Wall KCB CBE ADC Gen

Nordic

Skeleton

Snowboard

Telemark

EX HARDFIST

Sponsorship

Walking with the Wounded

EX SPARTAN HIKE

EX PIPEDOWN

Army Sports Lottery

AWSA membership

Deputy Presidents Lt Gen GR Coward CB CBE Maj Gen IM Copeland Maj Gen CM Deverell MBE Maj Gen PW Jaques Chairman Maj Gen RL Kirkland CBE chairman@awsa.org.uk Vice Chairman Brig RW Dennis OBE vice-chairman@awsa.org.uk Secretary Lt Col (Retd) MK Allen secretary@awsa.org.uk Sponsorship Secretary Lt Col TJ Wakefield RE sponsorship@awsa.org.uk

Army Winter Sports Association The Army Winter Sports Association was founded in 1947 by Field Marshal Montgomery to help provide military personnel with a break from routine training and operations. Since then it has encouraged generations of Army personnel to take to the snow and ice - often for the first time in their lives.

Public Fund Manager Maj SAJ Davis RAPTC pf-manager@awsa.org.uk

The Association helps soldiers to develop their skills in demanding conditions thereby fostering self discipline, physical courage and teamwork. Many have gone on to represent their country in successive winter Olympic games.

Editor Snow and Ice Catharine Moss editor@awsa.org.uk Discipline officials are listed on individual sports pages Images are MOD/Crown Copyright unless otherwise stated

Winter sporting disciplines currently encompassed by the AWSA are; Alpine, Bobsleigh, Cresta, Luge, Nordic, Skeleton Bobsleigh, Snowboard and Telemark. If you are a keen snow or ice sportsperson you need to be an AWSA member to compete in any Divisional or Army Championships. For further information contact membership@awsa.org.uk or complete the application form on page 53.

© This magazine contains official information and should be treated with discretion by the recipient. No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in this magazine can be accepted by the publishers or printers. Published by Forces and Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northamptonshire NN10 0RU. Tel: 01933 419994 • Fax: 01933 419584 • Email: editorial@forcespublishing.co.uk

Managing Director: Ron Pearson

Designer: Kerry Wells

Season Events 2011 - 2012 AWSA Discipline Secretaries Meeting ASCB - Aldershot September 2011 AWSA Management Meeting 2011 London 27/10/11 AWSA AGM and Cocktail Party 2011 London 27/10/11

Alpine

Land Championship EX SPARTAN HIKE Monetiers - France 08/01/12 - 17/01/12 1 Armd Div Championship EX PIPEDOWN Les Contamines - France 07/01/12 - 17/01/12 Army Championship EX LIONS CHALLENGE Serre Chevalier - France 17/01/12 - 27/01/12 Inter Service Championships (ISSSC) Meribel - France 28/01/12 - 04/02/12 Royal Navy Championship Tignes - France 07/01/12 - 21/01/12 Royal Air Force Championship Saalbach Hinterglemm - Austria 07/01/12 - 21/01/12

Bobsleigh

Cresta

Army Junction Championship 17th / 21st Lancers Cup St Moritz - Switzerland 26/01/12 Army Top Championship Scots Guards Cup St Moritz - Switzerland 31/01/12 Inter Service Cresta Championship Prince Phillip Trophy St Moritz - Switzerland 02/02/12

Luge

Army Ice Camp - Weeks 1 & 2 EX RACING ICE I Winterberg - Germany 26/11/11 - 10/12/11 TBC Army Championship (Novice, Junior, Intermediate & Senior) EX RACING ICE II Königssee - Germany or Igls - Austria 29/01/12 - 04/02/12 TBC Inter Service Ice Sports Championships Königssee - Germany 26/02/12 - 03/03/12 or 04/03/12 - 10/03/12 TBC Nordic LAND Championship EX SPARTAN HIKE Monetiers - France 08/01/12 -17/01/12 1 Armd Div Championship EX PIPEDOWN Les Contamines - France 07/12/12 -17/01/12 Army, Inter Service and British Championships EX RUCKSACK Ruhpolding - Germany 18/01/12 - 02/02/12

Skeleton Bobsleigh

Army Ice Camp - Weeks 1 & 2 EX RACING ICE I Winterberg - Germany 26/11/11 - 10/12/11 TBC Army Championship (Novice, Junior, Intermediate & Senior) EX RACING ICE II Königssee - Germany or Ingls - Austria 29/10/12 - 04/02/12 TBC Inter Service Ice Sports Championships Königssee - Germany 26/02/12 - 03/03/12 or 04/03/12 - 10/03/12 TBC Snowboard Army Championship EX SNOW JACK Stubai - Austria 26/11/11 - 17/12/11 Army Freestyle Championship EX SNOW METHOD Stubai - Austria 23/03/12 - 31/03/12 Inter Service Championships (ISSSC) Meribel - France 28/01/12 - 04/02/12

Telemark

Army and British Championships EX TELEMARK TITAN Rauris - Austria 07/01/12 - 19/01/12 Inter Service Championships (ISSSC) Meribel - France 28/01/12 - 04/02/12

AWSA PRESIDENT

AWSA NEWS

General Sir Peter Wall KCB CBE ADC Gen Chief of the General Staff I am delighted to write this introduction in my first season as President of the Army Winter Sports Association (AWSA). Earlier this year I was able to attend the Army Alpine Championship in Serre Chevalier - the 20th consecutive year they have been held in the resort. It gave me the opportunity to see at first hand the passion and skill of those involved in Winter Sports and it came as no surprise therefore that the season has been such a huge success. The ongoing tempo of operational commitments and financial stringency has not dented the upward trajectory of numbers we have been able to get out on the slopes - encouragingly this has included many who are new to the sport including 91 novice snowboarders who attended the Army Snowboard Championship held on the Stubai Glacier in Austria. A full range of disciplines have been offered once again; from established activities such as Nordic and Ice Sports to a more recently revitalised trend towards Telemark, which received ‘Recognised Status’ from the Combined Services Sports Board in July 2010. I am pleased to report that the Army has continued to dominate the Inter Service Championships at team level including successes in Snowboarding, Bobsleigh, Luge and Alpine; the Women’s Alpine Team making up for the slight hiccup by the Men’s Team who I am sure will be back next year. Mention should also be made of some stellar individual performances; Captain Matt Shepherd (RLC), first in the Alpine Inter Services and Major Nikki Jordan (nee Porter) RADC, second in the female event; 2nd Lt Archie Horne (LG) took the individual men’s title in the Cresta; while in Telemark Major Andrew Clarke (RA) was crowned Inter Services Telemark Champion. The Army can also be proud of continuing

‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank the chain of command for their continued support in releasing soldiers for worthy pursuits such as Winter Sports’ the tradition of having soldiers represent their country at Winter Sports - Army Female Athlete of the year, Cpl Paula Walker (R Signals) became the World Champion as part of the Junior Female Two Person Bobsleigh (and was 13th in the Senior Series). Well done. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the chain of command for their continued support in releasing soldiers for worthy pursuits such as Winter Sports. Ensuring soldiering remains ‘fun’ and that individuals properly recover and recuperate from operations means we continue to have motivated and fit soldiers with a breadth of experience from which to draw - in this way Winter Sports directly

contribute to military output. Nor would such levels of participation be possible without the excellent support from our main sponsors Army Sports Lottery, BAE Systems, BLOC, Force Protection, HP, KBR, NP Aerospace, Selex Gallileo, SUPACAT, Thales, Towergate Wilsons, Universal Engineering and Van Kappel. This has allowed us to expand involvement at grass roots level, whilst offering some funding to our elite athletes for the first time. We are now looking forward to next year’s packed calendar of events which kicks off with the Army Snowboarding Champs in Stubai at the end of November 2011.

Princess Marina Cup

Lucky number 7 for 1 Logistic Support Regiment RLC! The Princess Marina Duchess of Kent Cup (usually known as ‘The Marina’) is undoubtedly the ‘Holy Grail’ of Army skiing and one of the most fiercely contested sporting trophies in the British Army. The Marina, which is awarded to the overall Champion Army Alpine and Nordic Unit, has been won by 22 different units since 1948 when it was first awarded to 1 West Yorkshire Regiment. The cup is presented annually and is decided by calculating which unit has the most wins in both Alpine (Giant

Slalom, Slalom, Super G and Downhill) and Nordic (15Km Cross Country, 10Km Biathlon, 4 x 7.5Km Biathlon and the Military Patrol Race). In the event of a tie the 30Km Military Patrol Race is used as the decider. On the 27th January 2011, 1 Logistic Support Regiment RLC (1LSR) secured the recordbreaking achievement of seven Marina wins in a row - beating the record of six set by 35 Engineer Regiment during the late 90’s. This is a huge achievement for all who have been

involved in 1LSR and RLC skiing over recent years and is a just reward for many seasons of meticulous planning, professional training and consistently fast race performances. Sadly 1LSR will be deployed in Afghanistan over the next race season and unable to defend its title so The Marina challenge is wide open for 2012! 2011 Champions - 1 LSR RLC 2011 Runners-up - 7 Regt RLC

AWSA Chairman Maj Gen Lamont Kirkland CBE After three years as Chairman I am happy to say that the Army Winter Sports Association is in great health. Despite the continuing high levels of operational commitments, we have had another successful season with healthy numbers of participants. The snow conditions were favourable at the end of December 2010 but copious amounts of sunshine for most of January and early February meant that the snow cannons were working overtime. It was the usual mixed bag of results; individual reports can be found later in the magazine but the following gives a flavour of the 2010/2011 season. Alpine - Once again the Army Championship in Serre Chevalier was a huge success and this year included a grand celebration to mark the 20th consecutive year in resort. Sgt MacPherson RLC, after many many years of trying, became Army male Champion. There were some new male and female faces in the Inter Services Team, but both were expected to do well at the Inter Services. The ladies won a close contest, despite Maj Nikki Jordan (nee Porter) RADC falling (she got back up) in one of the Slalom races. It was different story for the men’s team; by failing to get four racers safely down the Super G course, despite team captain’s orders, the Army crashed out of the team competition. This enabled the Royal Navy Team to take the honours for the first time in 42 years! Capt Matt Shepherd RLC took the individual male title with Nikki coming second in the women’s event. Cresta - Army Cresta continued to improve and fielded a full team of six riders at the Inter Service Championships. 2Lt Archie Horne LG won the individual title, but his team members could not capitalise on this success and came third again. Despite this, there were signs of definite improvement and renewed hope for 2012. Ice Sports - The Ice Camp in Igls was very successful with over 80 competitors taking up sliding on ice for the first time. Both the Army and Inter Service Ice Sports Championships were held in Königssee in late January early March respectively. LSgt Lamin Deen and LCpl Davidson, both Gren Gds took the Army Male Bobsleigh event, Tpr Foulkes QRL was the Male Luge Champion and SSgt Robson RE and Cpl Smyth R Signals were the Male and Female Army Skeleton Champions respectively. At the Inter Services, there was success for the

individual men in the Bobsleigh, with LSgt Deen Gren Gds and LCpl Sharman REME beating two RN bobsleighs but lack of strength in depth meant a victory for the Navy in the team event. The female Bobsleigh team easily won their event. Sadly there was no success in Skeleton but the Army mixed Luge team won the team event and both individual titles. On the international front Cpl Walker R Signals became World Champion in the junior female 2-Man Bobsleigh for 2011 and came 13th in the senior series. She was Army sportswoman of the year and runner-up in the Combined Services sportswoman of the year awards in March. The future bodes well for her and there is definite potential for a possible podium finish at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. Nordic - The Army Championship took place in Ruhpolding in superb snow conditions and was attended by 188 skiers from 29 units. Overall 1 LSR dominated the team championships and won the coveted Princess Marina Trophy for a record breaking seventh time. Snowboard - Snowboard goes from strength to strength; the Army Championship in December 2010 was capped at 194 competitors, which included 91 Novices. The weather on occasions was horrendous with daytime temperatures down to -24 degrees. Both Army Snowboard teams easily won the Inter Service male and female team events with Capt Simon Nicholson REME and Sgt Sarah Marriott RAMC winning the individual titles. A number of Army boarders also attended the British Snowboard championships in Laax, Switzerland during March. At the end of April 2011, an additional Championship took place at Stubai, EX SNOW METHOD. This catered for all those unable to attend the main event in December 2010 and covered bordercross, slopestyle and a ‘big air’ event. Telemark - Telemark was granted ‘Recognised Status’ in July 2010 which has enabled me to reduce the costs to those taking part. There

Cover photo Captain Matt Shepherd RLC, the 2011 Inter Service Alpine Champion. Photographed by Captain Dave Scammell www.dnsphotography.co.uk

was a high turnout at the Army championship in Rauris (Austria) in early January and the Inter Services competition in Meribel in early February went well, despite the RAF pulling out again. The Navy took the team honours but Maj Andrew Clarke RA won the individual title. Sponsorship - Sponsors are vital in enabling the AWSA to continue to provide a variety of winter sporting activities to challenge and train the hundreds of soldiers who attend them each year; a large proportion are often complete novices. The high quality snow and ice training opportunities on offer mean that a soldier has the potential to start the season as a novice but end it as a Champion. None of this could be achieved without the generous support of our sponsors, many of whom were able to visit the different championships this year to watch the athletes in action – some were even brave enough to try the snow and ice sports themselves! Finally I would like to thank all Chairman, Secretaries and officials who give up their own time to organise the winter sports events; wishing you another top season in 2012.

Annual General Meeting Date for your Diary - the AGM of the Army Winter Sports Association will be held in London on the 27 October 2011 at 1730 hrs.

ALPINE

Alpine Maj Roddy Christie SCOTS DG

The 2011 Alpine Championship (Ex LIONS CHALLENGE) will be remembered for a number of things - great weather, amazing snow, and the year that Capt Matt Shepherd was knocked off the podium! Most of all it will be remembered for the fantastic 20th Anniversary celebrations that took place on Monday 24th January. The Alpine Championships came to Serre Chevalier for the first time in 1992. For 20 years there has been an annual migration of military folk over the Cols into the valley for this pinnacle of Army Alpine racing. No racer in the competition remembers the championships being held anywhere else and so we return year on year as if we are coming to a winter home. The joint celebration organised to celebrate this union started with a 200-person torch lit descent of the Luc Alphand Downhill piste which, given that it was sheet ice and pitch black, resulted in no notable accidents. This was followed swiftly by an exceptional fireworks display which lit up the mountains. The evening finished with a banquet and speeches from both the French and British sides. It was not all partying though and some serious skiing was done on some exceptional snow. The start of the season had seen plenty of snow in the Alps, however a warm patch meant that much of it had melted by the time we got to Serre Chevalier. We were fortunate that our arrival coincided with a fall in temperatures and a significant increase in snow making. The combination of the two meant we had enough snow and it was solid - excellent conditions for racing.

Photographs: Ben Sutton

The individual competition was hotly contested this year. The reigning Champion Capt Matt Shepherd (29 Regt RLC), returned from Afghanistan with only a couple of days to spare to try and defend his title but missed a gate in the Slalom. This threw the competition wide open and the race was on between Sgt Dougie MacPherson (JSPCL) and Sgt Mike Atkinson (7AA Bn REME) for the top slot. Through all the races they went hard at it but the honour finally fell to Sgt Dougie MacPherson who for the first time took the Mens Alpine Championship. In the ladies competition Maj Nikki Jordan (nee Porter) (RADC) returned from maternity leave to reclaim her title but it was good to see some real potential developing amongst the ladies. The team competition, as

has become tradition, went to 1 LSR however second and third slots went to 7AA Bn REME and the Light Dragoons. This was a great testament to the effort the REME have put into Alpine skiing over the past few years. There were some notable themes of this year. The field was smaller than normal partly due to operational commitments, partly due to a slightly lower standard across the board. The smaller number of infantry competitors is symptomatic of this and we will be looking at ways to try and encourage greater participation from the infantry in next year’s competition. Of note is the RAC team which did extremely well across the board, a tribute to the renewed energy that has gone into their training. Our Sponsors and VIPs now form a significant element of the Army Championship - indeed at times it seemed they outnumbered the competitors! We were truly fortunate to have our President on the slopes with us for three days and we were equally privileged to welcome so many of the AWSA sponsors, without whom the Championship would be impossible to run. The season saw the end of an era too. Since 2000 the racers have waited at the start gate next to the charismatic Jonathan Thorn who invariably sported some form of absurd headwear whilst ‘firing up’ the competitors! Sadly Jonathan is retiring this year and as

Contact Alpine Chairman Alpine Brig RPM Weighill Secretary Alpine Maj R Christie SCOTS DG t: 94731 2369 (military) (01748) 872369 f: 94731 2304 (military) (01748) 872304 e: alpine@awsa.org.uk

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;[This year] the field was smaller than normal partly due to operational commitments, partly due to a slightly lower standard across the boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; his contribution to alpine skiing, both as a competitor and as an official, has been immense it will be extremely hard to fill the void - we wish him well in his retirement As always it is important to look forward as well as back. Next year we hope will be another excellent season in Serre Chevalier. It would be easy to say that it will be bigger and better than ever, but in reality we will be happy with another top quality championship. The remit of the AWSA Alpine Committee, however, is

likely to change as we try to focus on wider issues than simply the delivery of LIONS CHALLENGE. It is clear that funding remains at the heart of Alpine skiing and whilst the various championships are relatively well funded and therefore subsidised, the pinch for the teams is funding the training. We aim to set up a fund specifically for this to allow teams to bid for financial support - watch this space! In the meantime have a good summer and see you all on the slopes next year.

Alpine Results 2010 - 2011 Army Male Champion Sgt MacPherson RLC Army Male Runner-up Sgt Atkinson REME Army Female Champion Maj Jordan(nee Porter) RADC Army Female Runner-up Capt Fewster RA Army Team Champions 1 LSR Army Team Runners-up 3 CS Bn REME Inter Service Male Champion Capt Shepherd RLC Inter Service Female Runner-up Maj Jordan(nee Porter) RADC Inter Service Best Male Newcomer Cpl Bray AAC Inter Service Best Female Newcomer Lt Kehoe RE Inter Service Male Team Champions RN Inter Service Female Team Champions Army Photograph: Capt Dave Scammell

Alpine Events 2011 - 2012 Land Championship EX SPARTAN HIKE, Monetiers, France 8-17 January 2012 1 Armd Div Championship EX PIPEDOWN, Les Contamines, France 7-17 January 2012 Army Championship EX LIONS CHALLENGE, Serre Chevalier, France 17-27 January 2012 Inter Service Championships (ISSSC), Meribel, France 28 January-4 February 2012 Royal Navy Championship Tignes, France, 7-21 January 2012 Royal Air Force Championship Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria 7-21 January 2012

INTER SERVICE CHAMPION 2011

ALPINE

Five times Army Downhill and Super G Champion and current Army Mens Team Captain, Captain Matt Shepherd Royal Logistic Corps, has been on the podium at every Alpine event since he left Sandhurst in 2006. Matt learnt to ski aged eight in the Scottish Highlands and began racing shortly afterwards. He was on the Scottish National Ski Team from 1996-2000 and was a coach at the British Ski Academy from 2002-05. His outstanding speed, skill and courage on the slopes was justly rewarded this year when he became the overall Inter Service Male Alpine Champion.

Army Championship The Army Alpine Championships 2011 will be remembered in my mind for two significant achievements. First and foremost, 1 Logistic Support Regiment (1LSR) achieved their holy grail of seven Princess Marina Championships in a row. The success of 1LSR is all the more remarkable as the pressure of matching and overtaking 35 Engineer Regiment’s longstanding record of six Marinas in a row has grown each season. Congratulations to Capt Immink, 2Lt Cowan, Cpl White, LCpl Marsden, Pte White and Pte Coulson for a record breaking achievement. The second significant achievement requires huge congratulations to Sgt Dougie MacPherson for becoming Army Champion 2011; after a decade at the very top of Army skiing nobody deserves this title more. As for myself, I was lucky enough to return from Op HERRICK 13 just in time for the start of the Army Championship. After a shaky first few days back on skis which saw me struggle through the joys of illness and disqualification, putting me out of the hunt for the Overall title, I was relieved to settle back into the racing with wins in the Downhill and Super G. These wins meant a lot to me as they were my fifth consecutive wins in both events. The Army speed races have been kind to me over the years; I’ve managed to win both these events ever since Commissioning from RMAS, although

I’ve no doubt just jinxed myself by writing this! I was also hugely proud of the three girls that made up the rest of the 29 Regt RLC team as we finished fourth as a team in the GS, putting a whole load of experienced all-male teams to shame!

Inter Service Championships Selection as the Army Mens Team Captain was a huge honour for me and we travelled to Meribel to renew our annual rivalry with the

‘Bad luck can strike at any time and finishing in the sport of Alpine ski racing can never be guaranteed’

RAF and the Navy at the Inter Services with a great deal of confidence. The Army Mens Team was as strong as always despite a greater than usual number of new red jumpers. We showed our strength by dominating the Downhill on the first day of racing; sweeping the podium and taking forward a lead of nearly 25 seconds! Unfortunately luck was against us in the Super G as with three crashers from our nominated six racers, we didn’t get the four qualification times required for a team result, leaving us disqualified from the Overall title. As a team we can be content that we knew how to approach team skiing, we prepared well for the day; we inspected well, rehearsed well, sent appropriate course reports and delivered timely team orders. We stuck to our tried and tested routine that worked in every other race and with hindsight I wouldn’t make any changes to how we approached the day. Some of our new racers simply made honest mistakes on an extremely difficult course with a considerable amount of pressure on their shoulders. Bad luck can strike at any time and finishing in the sport of Alpine ski racing can never be guaranteed. As team captain I was gutted at the outcome of the day, however the beauty of sport is that anything can happen, and in ski racing and it often does. The Navy Mens Team took full advantage of our bad luck and held off the RAF to win the Overall team title for the first time in 42 years! Despite being out of the Overall competition, the Army Mens Team did continue to dominate by winning all the remaining team races and by topping the podium in all the individual events. Cpl Bray won the Super G, Cpl White the Super Combined and I won the Slalom, Giant Slalom, Downhill and Overall. On a personal level I can officially say that I’ve now got my name on every single Divisional, Army and Combined Services trophy there is to win. All I need to do now is captain a winning Army Mens Team in 2012!

British Championships Finally the season was wrapped up by the Combined Services Team again attending the Delancey British National Championships 2011; the Army was represented by myself and Cpl Dougie Bray 2 AAC. From a field of over 100 starters that included Great Britain’s National Team and also World Cup racers I managed to post two 12th place results in the Downhill and Super G. Cpl Bray also put in some fantastic performances to finish inside the top 20 at his first ever National Championships, a fitting end to a fantastic season for the AAC’s top racer. Photographs: Ben Sutton

ALPINE

Disabled Ski Team Col David Eadie CBE

The Combined Services Disabled Ski Team (CSDST) continues to go from strength to strength, building on the Bronze medal won by Sgt Mick Brennan R SIGNALS at the Canadian National Championships last year. The 2010/11 season has seen the team establish itself on the international stage within the British team and even, in some instances, achieving better results than existing members of that team. One member of CSDST qualified in his own right for the World Championships in Sestrière in Italy and two others were given wildcard entries, which reflects both their potential and the team’s standing internationally. During the course of this season, 11 medals have been won in international races by: Capt Martin Hewitt PARA, Cpl Pete Dunning RM and Cpl Ian Bishop RM. These include three Gold, four Silver and four Bronze medals which, when compared to last year’s single Bronze, shows the upwards trend of the athletes and the appearance of the team as a viable national entity.

Development It must be stressed though, that the senior team’s blossoming performance has not been at the expense of developing the talent of the future. ‘Bish’ Bishop has been given a bespoke training package through his first season of

competition and, despite contending with both injury and Medical Boards, has gained valuable experience through military and low level international competitions. These have placed him firmly on the path to potential Paralympic achievement with the full backing of the British Disabled Ski Team. Pte Jaco Van Gass PARA has also developed significantly this season despite his enormous commitment to the Walking with the Wounded expedition to the North Pole, which he undertook in March alongside fellow ‘explorer’ Martin Hewitt and two other injured servicemen. CSDST is enormously pleased to congratulate Martin and Jacko, and all the other members of WWTW, on their superhuman effort in reaching the North Pole as the first disabled people ever to do so unaided - and doing it in such an extraordinary time (for further information see page 40). Within CSDST, we continue to nurture fresh talent and have a Newcomers Event planned for June 2011 at the Snow Centre at Hemel Hempstead, where we are hoping to see somewhere in the region of eight new sit-skiers and a number of stand-up skiers.

2010/2011 Season It was at the Snow Centre in June 2010 that the season really started as we evaluated and encouraged the season’s newcomers during an Introduction Day. Thereafter, regular training

sessions were run throughout the summer, in parallel to the training that was provided for our established athletes. The senior team athletes attended a summer camp in Les Deux Alps in France during July and a Skills Camp was then run for the newcomers in November on the Stubai Glacier from our now well-established training base in Neustift in Austria. This season has seen the first real impact of the imposition of the new medical standards for disabled personnel (known as PAP 10), with both new and seasoned athletes being called back for Medical Boards, as well as various administrative and medical procedures. We expect this understandable constraint on our activities to continue, and are therefore adapting our programme and processes accordingly. Training continued until Christmas, incorporating race training on the Stubai Glacier and a combination of military and international competitions. The first of these were two International Paralympic Committee for Alpine Skiing (IPCAS is the disabled equivalent of FIS) slalom races in the indoor snow centre in Landgraaf in Holland where our athletes had the opportunity to put some early points on the board. This was Ian Bishop’s first ever race and the first international slalom race for Pete Dunning. The field was extremely tough and, very understandably, the results reflected this; the team therefore returned to Austria for some harder training

‘These were CSDST’s first international Gold and Silver medals; a hugely significant milestone’

Contact CSDST e: CSDST@awsa.org.uk

Sgt Mick Brennan

Photograph: Sgt Mark Nesbit RLC

ALPINE

Cpl Ian Bishop

over the next week. Unfortunately, at that point, ‘Bish’ broke his hand and was sent home to receive medical care until the New Year. Next up were the IPCAS races in Sestrière in Italy. The hard training paid off and Martin Hewitt won Silver in both the Giant Slalom and Slalom; amazingly, this was bettered by Pete Dunning winning Gold in both events as a sit-skier. These were CSDST’s first international Gold and Silver

medals; a hugely significant milestone. The athletes returned to Stubai for the Royal Engineer races and gained some valuable speed training there. The team, in reduced numbers, then attended Exercise PIPEDOWN (the Divisional Championships) and Exercise LIONS CHALLENGE (the Army Championships) whilst some of the senior athletes attended the World Championships. Mick Brennan had qualified in

his own right for the event, with Martin Hewitt and Pete Dunning being given wild card entries on the back of both their previous performances and the accepted international standing of CSDST. The team then attended the Inter Services Snow Sports Championships (ISSSC) and demonstrated their skill and courage on the challenging FIS-rated courses in front of their able-bodied military counterparts, and a variety of senior military guests and commercial sponsors. After the ISSSC races, the team of Martin Hewitt, Ian Bishop and Pete Dunning flew out to Sweden to attend a double IPCAS Giant Slalom and Slalom, with Martin winning his first international Gold medal and taking home two further Bronze medals. Pete Dunning carried on his good form with a Silver in one of the slalom races. Perhaps even more remarkable was ‘Bish’ winning a Silver medal in the other slalom race. This was a huge achievement in his first season and it was achieved exactly two years to the day after he had lost both legs in an explosion in Afghanistan. Martin Hewitt returned to the UK to marry up with Jaco and carry on their training for the world record attempt on the North Pole, and the remainder travelled to Austria for the Austrian National Championships. The Austrians laid on a Super G race and this brought all the top nations together to compete. This meant that the penalty points added to the event would be small and that it would be a good chance for our guys to do well. Unfortunately, for various reasons, the committee had to move the race day and this meant that ‘Bish’ had to return to the UK for a Medical Board without actually racing in the speed event. Pete Dunning

Photographs: Arron Hoare, Ben Sutton and Dave Scammell

Pete Dunning bettered their points in the GS and then went on to take part in the German National Championships. The 2010/11 season saw the team go from merely attending international races to consistently competing for medals. Senior team members also qualified for Europa and then World Cup level competitions. The qualification criteria for the next Paralympics has annoyingly been lowered from 150 to 100 points; although this puts Pete Dunning just outside the qualification mark, he still has two full seasons of competition to go. The remainder of the team are also on track to qualify.

Cpl Pete Dunning

did race in the Super G and produced a very impressive result of 10th in a truly world class field. He scored 194.22 points in his first official speed event, coming home nicely below the 200 points which gains him entry to Continental Cup races. However, with Pete Dunning’s technical points not being quite where they needed to be at that point, the decision was made for him to go to Canada to compete in their National Championships and in two Continental Cup races. This paid off spectacularly as he successfully dropped his points below 150 in both technical disciplines (Slalom and Giant Slalom) and won another Bronze medal against the highly competitive North American field. With other team members otherwise engaged, the team coach, SSgt Mark Scorgie RE, was able to devote some quality time to training ‘Bish’ during March 2011. They travelled to La Molina in Spain to compete in two IPCAS Super Combined races; this was to be very testing for ‘Bish’ as he had missed out on all the previous speed training due to his injury and medical appointments; however, speed races are few and far between, so he had to race. Sadly, with a fall in both Super G races it warranted a return to the drawing board and further foundation training. This was completed on the Stubai Glacier in glorious weather and demonstrated its real value in his performance at an IPCAS race in Italy later in the month. Both ‘Bish’ and Pete Dunning then attended Ex WHITE LION (the Adjutant General’s Corps Championships) where the CSDST Director, Major Ian Large AGC(SPS) was both setting and running the racing. A quick visit to Bavaria followed with the team members being able to inspire and encourage those recently injured service personnel who were learning to ski on Exercise SNOW WARRIOR (Adaptive). The coach was also able to do some ‘talent spotting’ with a view to our rapidly approaching Newcomers Event. The team ended the season with attendance at the Swiss National Championships where ‘Bish’ and

Looking Forward Many of the CSDST skiers are now full time athletes with training & racing programmes that span the whole year. Glacier training in 2011 will occur in May, Jun and from Oct onwards. Southern Hemisphere training and racing will run for some for two months during the English summer. When we cannot get onto snow, Strength & Conditioning training at world class university venues will take place and low level technique skills will be run on indoor slopes. The athletes and staff continue to attend a variety of events with the sponsors and are engaging in corporate networking in order to maintain funding streams and generate new sponsorship agreements. The team is also finalising its charitable status which will safeguard and legitimise our work as athletes transition from Serving to Veteran status. For further information contact CSDST@ awsa.org.uk or to follow the team’s progress, you can find them on Facebook by searching for ‘combined services disabled ski team’.

Pte Jaco Van Gass

EX SNOW WARRIOR (ADAPTIVE)

Maj (Retd) Sally Mendonca This was the fourth year that Exercise Snow Warrior (Adaptive) has taken place at the Adventure Training Group’s ski training facility in Bavaria. The weather was fantastic (almost too good) and the exercise used the usual slopes at Oberjoch and the Nebelhorn. Two 2-week serials took place during the month of March which were attended by 16 students who were introduced to Alpine skiing; for the majority of the individuals this was the first time they had been on snow! The students’ disabilities were the most diverse the instructors had seen and included a young man from the Royal Artillery who is totally blind following an IED incident in Afghanistan. Those who attended were from all three Services and included: Capt Nic Beighton, Flt Lt Kat Janes, Sgt Craig Gadd, Cpl Budha Magar, Cpl Andy Barlow, LBdr Rob Long, LCpl Steve Palmer, LCpl Steve Van Niekerk, LCpl Martin Tye, LCpl Troy Connor, Pte Kingsley Ward, Pte Mark Allen, Rfn Kyle Baker, Fus Andrew Inwood, Spr Ryan Seary and Mne Joe Townsend. The Chief Instructor (Les Pond) was assisted by a group of military adaptive ski instructors to deliver the training. Each serial began with the instructors making a thorough assessment of their student’s disability and preparing the equipment to ensure the set up was as good as could be at the start. We had mono skiers, bi skiers, three and two track skiers as well as visually impaired skiers. As usual the instructors were very fortunate to have some fantastic assistants again this year to help with their students and it would not be possible to conduct these exercises without their support. It is always amazing to see how quickly students progress from day one on the nursery slopes to whizzing down red runs by the end of the first week! The serials culminate in a mini GS race which definitely gets some competition going and for some gives them a taste of what it’s like to ski down a course of gates! There is definitely some great potential recruits for the Combined Services Disabled Ski Team (CSDST).

BOBSLEIGH

Inter Service Bobsleigh Maj Helen Carter RAMC - Chairman Bobsleigh

The Inter Service Bobsleigh Championship for the 10/11 Season was held at Königssee, Southern Germany which is one of the most challenging bobsleigh tracks in Europe. Elements of the track have only very recently been rebuilt adding to the challenge for all who were coaching and sliding. The championships were held between 6-13 March with the race days being Thursday and Friday as well as the addition of a Team Race involving all three Ice sports on the Saturday. This made for an enjoyable event for competitors, spectators and sponsors alike. The Army Team for this year’s Championships was a mixture of youth and experience; a number of our bobsleighers had recently retired and some were deployed on Op HERRICK 13. However a strong team was still fielded in both the male and female events with the aim being to retain the team trophies from last year. The Army Team Manager for the Inter Service Championships was WO2 Kenney Pereira RAMC, a highly experienced brakeman and the Army Bobsleigh Association Equipment Manager. WO2 Pereira is a veteran of many Inter Service Championships and he ensured that the strongest combination of drivers and brakemen were paired up to enable the Army to field four male sleds and two female sleds. In the male race, all four sleds would race four laufs over two days with the three highest placed sleds to count towards the team race. In the female race, a maximum of three female sleds in each Service could race with the best two sleds in each Service to count towards the team event. The team was able to train hard in the days preceding the race but a challenging male race was anticipated with the RN/RM and RAF putting forward strong contenders. Female Race In the female race Cpl Paula Walker R Signals, the newly crowned Junior World Champion, was our Army 1 driver and was teamed with Cpl Alicia Jarman R Signals. Cpl Jackie Gunn R Signals who retired from full time sliding

last year was our Army 2 driver and she was teamed with Sgt Carice Allen INT CORPS who made a welcome return to the Army team after an absence of several years. Both the female teams performed magnificently and at the end of the first two runs were lying in first and second place. As a result of crashes by the other services, the female race was halted at the end of the first day of racing and the Army Team were declared the winners. Cpl Paula Walker had successfully defended her individual title from last year and with both Cpl Walker and Cpl Gunn placing first and second after the two runs, they also retained the team title. Male Race The focus was then firmly on the male race. A great deal was at stake as last year the Army had taken back the Inter Service Team Trophy from the RN/RM who had been in possession of it for a number of years. Due to retirements from the Army and last year’s Army 1 team being deployed on Op HERRICK 13, the pressure was on for Sgt Deen GREN GDS/LCpl Sharman REME(Army 1), Capt Pilcher QDG/Tpr Morris QDG (Army 2), Capt Palfrey RLC/Pte Sikhosana RLC (Army 3) and Capt Kaulback RTR/Tpr Ward RTR (Army 4). LCpl Sorby RLC, Tpr Frost QDG and LCpl Darby R Signals (all brakemen) narrowly missed the final cut for race day but were invaluable with their assistance at the track. At the end of the first race run, LSgt Lamin Deen and LCpl Richard Sharman had the fastest start time of 5.90 seconds as well as the fastest downtime of 52.15 seconds. They were 3/10th seconds ahead of their closest rivals, the RM brother pairing of Mne Johnston and Capt Johnston (RN2). The Army 2 sled was lying in tenth position whilst the Army 3 sled produced a spectacular drive and was lying in eighth place (even more impressive as Capt Palfrey only started driving this season). Unfortunately the Army 4 sled of Capt Ant Kaulback and Tpr Ward crashed but they did cross the finish line with all equipment in the sled and therefore recorded a finish time. All four teams needed to get the

Contact Bobsleigh Chairman Bobsleigh Maj HS Carter RAMC Secretary Bobsleigh Lt WE Holden LANCS m: 07842 590363 e: bobsleigh@awsa.org.uk

BOBSLEIGH

Championship best finish times possible as the team event is based on the total times of the top three sleds so every 1/100th second counts! The second run resulted in LSgt Deen maintaining his lead over the RN with Army 2 maintaining tenth place, Army 3 knocked almost 2/10th of a second off their first run and finished with the sixth fastest time of the second run with Army 4 finishing in eleventh place. As day two dawned it was all to play for the team race and the pressure was on for the Army 1 team to hold onto first place to take the individual trophy. As a result of the crash on the first day of racing, Army 4 withdrew from the race meaning that the three remaining teams had to record finish times for both race laufs to have a chance at the team trophy. The only Service to have four sleds for the final day was the RN as the RAF 2 sled had also withdrawn from the race after crashing on day one. The starting order for the third run was the reverse order of the race draw from day one and it was a very tense run for all three services. The RN 3 sled crashed and did not record a finish time which levelled the field. The Army 3 sled had a very strong run as they made up for their ninth fastest push time to finish with the sixth fastest run of the third lauf. The Army 2 sled worked incredibly hard and pushed the fifth fastest time of the run, they recorded the ninth fastest run for the third lauf. The Army 1 recorded the second fastest push of the third run and finished the run in third place, behind the RN1 and RN2 sleds. Going into the final run, the Army 1 sled was 0.2 seconds ahead of RN2 and 0.93 seconds ahead of RN1. LSgt Deen and LCpl Sharman demonstrated their excellent driving skills as they were almost a second ahead of the GB1 driver, Cpl John Jackson RM (RN1). The team and individual race were both down to the fourth and final lauf. The order of sliding was in reverse order, with the slowest sled sliding first. This meant that LSgt Deen would be the final sled down the track in the Inter Service Championships; the atmosphere was electric. The RN1 sled, piloted by Cpl John Jackson, recorded the fastest start of the Championship and finished the lauf in 52.69 seconds. The RN2 sled had a slower start and

Bobsleigh Results 2010 - 2011 Army 2-Man Bobsleigh Male Champions LSgt Deen GG & LCpl Davidson GG Army 2-Man Bobsleigh Female Champions No competition Inter Service Male Champions LSgt Deen GG & LCpl Sharman REME Inter Service Female Champions Cpl Walker R Sigs & Cpl Jarman RLC Inter Service Male Team Champions Royal Navy Inter Service Female Team Champions Army

finished in 52.82 seconds which meant that in order to retain first place, LSgt Deen had to finish at least 2/10th seconds ahead of Mne Lee Johnston. LSgt Deen and LCpl Sharman had a push time of 5.14 seconds which beat the RN2 sled by 0.6 seconds. LSgt Deen now needed to ensure he got the sled down the track in a good time. The pair finished in 52.75 seconds which was 7/100th second ahead of the RN2 sled and was enough to guarantee the Army 1 sled the individual trophy as they finished 0.27 seconds ahead of the RN2 sled. Team Race In the team race, the RN regained the trophy from the Army but it was a close race. The Army Team performed exceptionally well at a highly technical and demanding bobsleigh track and were 1.79 seconds ahead of the RAF who retained the wooden spoon for yet another year. Whilst the team did not retain the male team trophy, LSgt Deen and LCpl Sharman did beat Cpl John Jackson, the current GB1 driver and Mne Lee Johnston, a seasoned international bobsleigh driver who has competed in three Olympic Games. LSgt Deen is definitely an athlete to watch for the future along with his brakeman, LCpl Sharman. They have both competed on the European Bobsleigh circuit and aim to move up to the World Cup circuit for next season. Ice Sports Team Event The Team Event involved sliders from all three Ice Sports. Bobsleigh had to provide a male and a female team; Cpl Jackie Gunn and Cpl Alicia Jarman represented the women and LSgt Lamin Deen and LCpl Richard Sharman represented the men. Male and female lugers and skeleton sliders completed the line up. Whilst it was a fun event everyone remained highly competitive. After some exciting racing the Army Team triumphed which rounded off an excellent week of sliding and competition. The Inter Service Championships were an excellent finish to season and the ABA is now focusing on the 2011/12 Ice Camp which introduces novices to bobsleigh. It is anticipated that the Ice Camp will take place in late November 2011 and details will be promulgated to Commanding Officers later on in the year.

Bobsleigh Events 2011 - 2012 Army Ice Camp (weeks 1 and 2) EX RACING ICE I, Winterberg, Germany 26 November - 10 December 2011 TBC Army Championship EX RACING ICE II, (Novice, Junior, Intermediate and Senior) Igls, Austria or Kรถnigssee, Germany 29 January - 4 February 2012 TBC Inter Services Ice Sports Championships Kรถnigssee, Germany, 26 February - 3 March or 4-10 March TBC

BOBSLEIGH

Ex RACING ICE .... Lt Will Holden LANCS

Army Ice Camp Ex RACING ICE 1 was held at Igls in Austria in December 2010. This exercise was centred on training Novice drivers and brakemen the basic skills required to race at an Army Novice event. The exercise was split into two separate weeks and the focus during the event was the delivery of safe yet fun training in a relaxed but professional atmosphere. Both weeks started off with the Novice sportsmen being briefed by Maj Belinda Robson R Signals, the exercise OIC. The groups then moved to the Bobsleigh track to meet the Equipment Manager, WO2 Kenney Periera RAMC, to receive their kit and to be taught the basic mechanics of the Bobsleigh and how to conduct day-to-day maintenance safely and correctly. Concurrently Sgt Michelle Coy RAF, the Bobsleigh coach, introduced the Novices to the movement of the kit around the Bobstart (the highest start on the track) and the finish straight. Once she was happy that the group had learned the basics she took them on their first ‘Track walk’; Michelle’s coaching style managed to relax the Novices to the extent that nobody refused to slide. Once all preparation had taken place it was time for the Novices to take the leap of faith from the ‘Damend start’ (the Ladies start).

‘Their bruised bodies had started to really ache but by Thursday morning the teams were ready to race from the Bob start’

The first few ‘Laufs’ (runs down the track) saw the Novices crash, bump and churn their way to the finish straight just about in one piece, slowly but surely they refined their driving skills and the laufs became smoother and faster. By Wednesday of both weeks the majority of the Novices were sliding from the Bob Start for the first time. Both weeks concluded with a Novice race from the Bob Start. All competitors were given two laufs in which an average time would be calculated in order to determine the most consistent driver out of the group. Both races proved to be extremely fun and very worthwhile as it gave the Novices the experience of sliding under pressure. Army Championship Ex RACING ICE 2 was held at Königssee in Bavaria, Germany at the end of January 2011. This was centred on the further training of the Novice and Junior Army teams before the Army Novice and Junior Championship race which was held at the end of the week. 2011 saw a small but brilliant group of Novices and Juniors attend the exercise, this resulted in a very productive week on the track. The group comprised of four Army teams and two teams from the Jersey Bobsleigh club.

Königssee was a new track to all but one of the sportsmen; this would prove to be a great challenge to the other teams as Königssee is a fast, technical track, which leaves no room for error. The week progressed in a similar fashion to Ex RACING ICE 1. The mornings would start with WO2 Kenney Periera checking the equipment and Bobsleighs with the teams; as the Army Bobsleigh Equipment Manager it was Kenney’s role to ensure that all of the kit was serviceable to use throughout the week. In the afternoons the Army head Bobsleigh coach, Cpl Jackie Gunn R Signals, would take the drivers through the track walk prior to the training laufs. Monday and Tuesday saw a few shaky starts as the drivers became accustomed to the track. The Bobsleighs took a battering but with Kenney’s attention to detail and hard work they lasted the week. Jackie’s coaching techniques proved very effective as the crashes became fewer and the timings became faster. The Drivers worked very hard to master the nuances of the track as did the Brakemen moving the equipment around. Their bruised bodies had started to really ache but by Thursday morning the teams were ready to race from the Bob start. The Army Novice and Junior Championship race took place on the Thursday morning. The race was great fun with all of the sportsmen putting in a 100% effort; however, even though the drivers had improved during the week there were still two crashes. Once the race was over the sportsmen from all three Ice Sports gather in the hotel bar for the prize giving ceremony where we were lucky enough to have the Master Vintner in attendance to give out the prizes. The Vintners Society provides a lot of financial support towards the Army Bobsleigh Society and it was a real pleasure to have them with us during the week. On behalf of the Novice Sportsmen and the AWSA I would like to thank both WO2 Kenney Perieia and Sgt Michelle Coy for their outstanding dedication to the training of the Novice sportsmen during this season.

Cresta

CRESTA

Major Toby Barrington Barnes QRL

Contact Cresta Chairman Cresta Lt Gen JJC Bucknall CBE Secretary Cresta Maj NG Foulerton SCOTS DG e: cresta@awsa.org.uk

Cold hard weather provided the perfect backdrop to this year’s Army season in St Moritz. On average the temperature gauge read about 10 degrees below freezing on most of the practice and race days. This year’s Army season started a week later than usual and ran during the last two weeks of January and first week of February. This year’s competition saw 25 riders from ten different regiments compete in the Junction competition. In the 17th/21st Lancers Regimental Pairs Race the team from the Queen’s Royal Lancers managed to regain the cup that bears their antecedent regimental name for the first time in over ten years, beating the Household Cavalry Regiment into second place with the Royal Wessex Yeomanry taking third spot. The Junction Handicap race was won by a novice, Officer Cadet Whiting from the Royal Engineers with the Novice Cup being fiercely competed for by 16 new riders with Capt Huish from 5 RIFLES eventually prevailing by a winning margin of just 1.61 seconds over the three courses.

Photographs: Karl van Beck and Dalhoff Casper

During the second week of racing the turnout for the Army Top Race, The Scots Guard’s Cup was one of the lowest for years. Eventually, after two Army team riders fell during the race, Colonel Wieloch during the second course and Major Kettler during the third course, the race was won for the second year running by Major Morgan from the Royal Wessex Yeomanry with Lt Chiswick from the Household Cavalry Regiment claiming second spot. The Inter Service Championships saw a weakened Army Team due to operational commitments, however, 2Lt Horne from the Household Cavalry Regiment stole the show by turning up only a day ahead of race day and with only five rides in practice won the overall individual event including the Auty Speed Cup with a time of 55.67 seconds. In first place were the RAF with the Navy team second and the Army beaten into third place. The Harland Trophy, the Top Handicap was won by Colonel Snook who posted three very fast individual times to take the race by a staggering margin of some 3 seconds. The Services’ Silver Spoon, the Junction Handicap was won by Capt Stokes, RN on a net time of 138.67 seconds. This season’s event was well attended and much progress was made in preparing future Army riders for the Inter Services event. It is hoped that many will come back for more excitement both on and off the ice next year. Anyone interested in winter sports is encouraged to come and have a ‘dart’ next season and give it a go!

CRESTA

The Cresta Run Situated in the village of St Moritz, in Switzerland’s Engadine Valley, the Cresta Run is a 3/4 mile toboggan course which riders descend lying face down on heavy metal ‘skeletons’ just inches from the ice. There are two starting points - Top for the experienced rider and Junction which is about a third of the way down the course. Speeds can easily reach 80 mph and the accomplished rider will complete the course in under a minute. Riders have metal rakes attached to their boots to help influence speed and direction but on average one ride out of every 1,000 lands in hospital (there are around 12,000 rides per year). The Cresta Run usually opens two or three days before Christmas and continues for nine weeks until the end of February - it is a private club but non-members are welcome to ride for a fee. For safety reasons women have not been allowed to ride competitively on the Cresta since 1925, however they traditionally take to the track on the last day of the season. If you would like further information on the Cresta run visit www.cresta-run.com

Cresta Events 2011 - 2012 Army Junction Championship 17th 21st Lancers Cup, St Moritz, Switzerland, 26 January 2012 Army Top Championship Scots Guards Cup, St Moritz, Switzerland, 31 January 2012 Inter Service Championship Prince Phillip Trophy, St Moritz, Switzerland, 2 February 2012

Cresta Results 2010 - 2011 Army Champion Army Runner-up Army Novice Champion Open Pairs Champions Inter Service Champions Inter Service Individual Champion Harland Trophy

Maj Morgan RWY Lt Chiswick LG Capt Huish 5 RIFLES QRL RAF 2Lt Horne LG Col (Retd) Snook, PARA

‘It is hoped that many will come back for more excitement both on and off the ice next year’

LUGE

LUGE Capt Tor Gullan RE

Ice Sports Novice Training Camp Ex RACING ICE 1 took place in the familiar location of Igls, Austria. The venue was chosen to ensure that costs were kept as low as possible for participants. Both weeks were heavily subscribed across all disciplines, and for luge that meant twenty-four first-time sliders hitting the ice over two one-week periods. For some, ‘hitting the ice’ proved more apt than for others. Many struggled with the concept of going faster the further they progressed up the track, but soon came to realise that luge is an extremely fast sport! The ages of the novice sliders ranged from eighteen to forty-five and for the first time in five years two female sliders rose to prominence on their ice camp. They both consistently recorded the fastest times during the two weeks. Cpl Danielle Scott QARANC and Cpl Keri Howard QARANC subsequently went on to win Inter Service Female Champion and Army Female Champion titles (respectively) in their first luge season. Another notable slider who showed determination and guts was WO2 Gary Cowan RA. Despite being in his mid-forties, Gary persevered, refusing to give up even though he took one or two hard knocks and crashes. We also introduced two new Navy sliders to the sport; with Graham Humm going onto represent the Navy Team at the Inter Service Championships.

Army Championship EX RACING ICE 2 - Königssee, Germany The venue for the Army Championship was chosen to give the Army team the maximum amount of time to prepare for the Inter Service Championships, just one month later. The Inter Service Championships had been held at Königssee just two years earlier, but the track suffered a fire during building work in 2010, and then large portions of it were redesigned and rebuilt for the 2011 World Cup race, held there just one week after the Army races. For some this meant a familiar but different track, for others it was all new. A handful of novices had progressed from RACING ICE 1 and were representing their units at the Army Championship, along with some more seasoned sliders. Tpr Harry Foulkes had been off sliding with the Federation International Luge in Latvia and then Germany for three weeks prior to Christmas 2010. There were also some, like Captain Tor Gullan, who hadn’t slid since the last day of the Inter Service Championships the year before. Everyone was excited about the new track, and very quickly we were finding the lines to take that would get us down in one piece, and for some, quickly too! There was a lot of trial and error, and the ‘Turbo-Drome’ (Kriesel) proved to be anything but turbo-charged as the exit seemed to present the biggest challenge to most of us. Skidding sideways on a large tea tray mounted on big skates, feet first at sixty miles

an hour is not the best sensation, and nor is it a recommended method for achieving fast times. For those watching, however, it can be immensely entertaining. The exit of the Turbo-Drome proved so problematic that many developed a remount technique that became almost instinctive in order to get back on their sled and finish the run. Some might think this approach rather extreme, but some knowledge of luge competition rules might explain why the ‘dismount-remount technique’ (as it became known) was of such importance. A luge race requires a slider to complete two consecutive runs, crossing the finish line in contact with their sled. If one run is not completed, then the slider is disqualified from the event. It therefore follows that a bad time is better than no time at all, so it is imperative to cross the line with the sled on both runs. Should a crash occur, then it is best to flip back onto the sled and recover, holding on to the line, come hell or high water! As it happened, on race day Tpr Harry Foulkes, QRL, sliding very impressively, took first place from Capt Tor Gullan RE by a comfortable margin, retaining the Army Champion title. In the women’s race, the field was wide open. Two novices from RACING ICE 1 took first and second place. Cpl Keri Howard, put in a winning performance to take victory in both the Army Female Championship and the Army Novice Championship. Cpl Dani Scott, also performed extremely well, and took second place to Cpl Howard’s first in both events.

Luge Results 2010-2011 Army Male Champion Tpr Foulkes QRL Army Male Novice Champion Cpl Howard QARANC Inter Service Team Champions Army Inter Service Male Individual Champion Tpr Foulkes QRL Inter Service Male Individual Runner-up Capt Gullan RE Inter Service Female Individual Champion Cpl Scott QARANC

LUGE

SLIDING HIGH

After only two seasons on the ice Trooper Henry ‘Harry’ Foulkes, Queen’s Royal Lancers, was selected to train at the Federation of International Luge (FIS) training camp ... at the end of his third season he became the Inter Service Male Individual Luge Champion! Here’s his story so far...

Season one - 2009 In January 2009 I attended the novice Army ice sports camp (Ex RACING ICE 1) which was held in Igls, Austria. Training was intense and although the speed and the courage needed to get on the ice was a shock, I really enjoyed it. I didn’t think I had made much of an impression but I was asked to compete at the Army Championship. Unfortunately I placed last due to a crash but I was still asked to attend the Inter Service Championships in Königssee, Germany. I had a really bad week of sliding and thought that would be the last I saw of the sport but when it came to race day I raced as an independent competitor and ended up being placed second overall! That was my kick-start into the world of luge!

Season two - 2010 At the end of 2009 I took part in my second Ex RACING ICE 1 which was in Lillehammer, Norway. I had a shocking week, crashing nearly every run and finishing the week black and blue! However, in January 2010 I travelled to Igls for my second try at the Army Championship, where I had a good week. Race day came and everyone was evenly matched but there was so much tension that you could have cut the air with a knife! Luckily I held it together and didn’t let the more experienced competitors get to me and I came first overall. After the Army Championship it was back to Norway for the Inter Service Championships; the stakes had risen and my neck was on the line as I now had to prove my ability to perform consistently. The track wasn’t in the best condition but my

‘Although the speed and the courage needed to get on the ice was a shock, I really enjoyed it’ training times remained competitive. However, annoyingly, I crashed on race day and broke my performance streak.

Season three - 2011 In November 2010 I was invited to attend the Federation of International Luge (FIS) training camp with some of the younger competitors from all over the world. It was an intense twoweek training course, where we were pushed

from doing three runs a day to doing 12-16 runs a day - with start training in the middle of it all! The first week was in Segulda, Latvia and the course was like nothing I had ever seen before. It tested me mentally more than anything but my luging improved dramatically and prepared me for a further week of training in Oberhoff in Germany where I was to learn that there was a whole new technical level to sliding! At the end of the FIS camp I was offered further training in Italy with the rest of the team but, sadly, the Olympic Committee didn’t have enough funding for me to continue. So, after spending Christmas at home in the UK, I headed off to the Army Championship in Königssee, Germany. My extra training with the FIS meant that I had a bit of an advantage over the competition and I was consistently placed first in all the pre-race training. On race day the competition was tight but I managed to squeeze in the quickest time and retain my title as Army Champion. Then it was on to the Inter Service Championships as part of the Army Luge Team. I knew the competition was going to be hard as the other teams had spent a lot of time training over the season but I held it together and won by just over two seconds to become this year’s Inter Service Men’s Individual Luge Champion. Thanks to all the help I received from the Queen’s Royal Lancers, I have had one of the best years of my life! It has been a great experience and I hope I can inspire others to try this challenging and fun sport. Where do I hope to go from here? Well I hope to continue luging, pushing myself further to compete for Great Britain on the world circuit. I would also like to get involved with coaching and developing others so that they can share the enjoyment and pleasure that I get from this exciting sport.

Contact Luge Chairman Luge Capt TP Gullan RE m: 07801 240742 Secretary Luge SSgt G Holmes RLC t: 94222 3547 (military) (01252) 347547 e: luge@awsa.org.uk (For Luge events 2011/2012 see page 4)

NORDIC

NORDIC Lt Col Adrian Thurgood RLC

Ex RUCKSACK 11 was the 64th Army, Inter Services and British Nordic Ski Championships which ran from 17 January to 4 February 2011, in the Bavarian town of Ruhpolding. There were a total of 188 skiers broken down into 29 Unit teams including five ladies teams, two Civilian Ski Clubs (nine skiers), two RAF teams (13 RAF skiers) and one Australian female. The aim of Ex RUCKSACK 2011 was to provide participants with an arduous and challenging Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing race programme, using international standard facilities and physically demanding, technical courses in order to enhance the moral and physical components of fighting power. The full race results are at www.britishbiathlon.com and on the AWSA Nordic page at www.aswa. co.uk. Conditions for the Championships were absolutely superb with a good fall of snow at the start sustained by cold wintery conditions throughout. This saw an excellent standard of racing in the newly refurbished Biathlon Stadium that had just been host to the 2011 Biathlon World Cup. The number of novices (71 in total) was again high, demonstrating that this is definitely a sport for all and not just for the gladiators. The racing was split between Cross Country in the first week and Biathlon in the second week, culminating in the Military Patrol Race that covers 30km for Men and Ladies alike. All racing was overseen and adjudicated by our

Technical Delegates, authorised by the National Governing bodies of the BSSF (Jim Davidson) and the BBU (Eddie Lowe). Nordic skiing, by the nature of the sport, is classified as Individual Training and it provides a fantastic opportunity to develop fitness, shooting, teamwork and determination amongst all athletes; no matter what standard they perform at. Competition at the lead of pack was fierce between 1 LSR, who won every race except the Military Patrol Race, 2 CS Bn REME who came second overall and 1 RTR who came third; of real note was 131 Ind Cdo Sqn RE(V) who came

fourth overall. The Ladies fought hard with the AGC Ladies winning overall and the RLC and RA ladies in second and third place respectively. There were notable performances from Cfn Warren Melia (15 km Cross Country), Sgt Adele Walker (10 km Cross Country), SSgt Marc Walker (yes they are married; in the 10 km Mass Start), Cpl Amanda Lightfoot (Super 16), Cpl Paul Birmingham (20km Individual Biathlon), Flt Lt Fay Potton (12.5 km Individual Biathlon) and SAC Danny Sinclair (10 km Biathlon Mass Start – Novice). Overall 1 LSR dominated the team championships and won the Princess Marina Trophy (Champion Skiing Unit of the British Army in both Alpine and Nordic) for a record breaking seventh time; beating the previous record set by 35 Engr Regt RE with a total score of eight points – first in every ‘Marina’ race. In this competition 7 Regt RLC came second (26 points) and 28 Engr Regt RE finished third (35 points). The flagship Military Patrol Race, inspected by Maj Gen N Caplin, saw the culmination of a season’s skiing for all athletes not in the British Team (25 Athletes were selected for the National Squad for the remainder of the season and for the next). The Military Patrol Race tests the mental and physical attributes of the athletes to the extreme with kit inspections, skiing, shooting and command tasks all part of the mix. In the end it was a very strong performance from Capt Reg Gentry, and his team from 2 CS Bn REME, who beat 1 LSR by the smallest of margins (25 seconds) in a time of 2 hrs 41 mins 33 secs; thus preventing 1 LSR gaining a clean sweep in all the races. The slowest team’s time was a gruelling 4 hrs 46 mins 21 secs.

Photographs: Foto Kaesberg

NORDIC

Contact Nordic Chairman Nordic Lt Col AHMcD Cameron MBE RA Secretary Nordic Lt Col AM Thurgood RLC e: nordic@awsa.org.uk

Of course none of this would have been possible without our sponsors and we were delighted to host Mr Woolford from QINETIQ; Mr Oszmann from Skandia and Mr Herrod from DHS International, in Ruhpolding. Other VIPs visited the Championships including our President, Maj Gen L Kirkland, our Deputy President, Maj Gen I Dale, the Director Army Sports Control Board, Maj Gen(Retd) C Elliott

and GOC UKSC(G), Maj Gen N Caplin. A final thank you to all the Officials (and their chain of command for releasing them) who helped make Ex RUCKSACK 11 run smoothly. Looking forward to 2012, Ruhpolding will host the World Championships, which compresses the time available for the Divisional Championships and Ex RUCKSACK see right for details.

Nordic Results 2010 - 2011 Army Male Champion SSgt Walker RLC Army Female Champion Cpl Lightfoot AGC(SPS) Army Champion Nordic Ski Team 1 LSR Army Nordic Ski Team Runners-up 2 CS Bn REME Army Ladies Nordic Ski Team AGC Ladies Inter Service Champions Army

Nordic Events 2011 - 2012 Land Championship EX SPARTAN HIKE Monetiers, France 8-17 January 2012 1 (UK) Armd Div Championship EX PIPEDOWN Les Contamines, France 7-17 January 2012 Army, Inter Service & British Championships EX RUCKSACK Ruhpolding, Germany 18 January-3 February 2012

SKELETON BOBSLEIGH

Skeleton Bobsleigh Maj Pete McClellan RE

Contact Skeleton Bobsleigh ‘It was the first time that they had seen an ice track before and was particularly daunting as international athletes were training at the time’

Chairman Skeleton Bobsleigh Maj PA McClellan RE Secretary Skeleton Bobsleigh Maj BNK Robson R Signals e: skeleton@awsa.org.uk While achieving most of our objectives, last season was a little disjointed for Army Skeleton as we said goodbye to our head coach, WO1 Steve Anson who has now joined the Australian Army. I presented him with a farewell gift in the kitchen of his house in Monmouth as the removal men carried out his boxes. Ever the moaner, he said he’d be glad to see the back of this weather. Unfortunately he arrived in Oz to be confronted by the worst floods ever……. Another, albeit, temporary loss was our Secretary, Major “B” Robson R Signals, who had to depart for Staff College straight after the annual Ice Camp. Fortunately, the gap was very ably filled By SSgt Robbo Robson (no relation), who, together with SSgt Graham Holmes (Sec Luge) kept us afloat for the remainder of the season; many thanks to them both. This year

we also welcomed back ex-GB international Mrs (ex-WO2) Donna Leslie to the Army and Inter Service Championships to assist with the coaching of our athletes. Sadly at the end of the season we had to say farewell to SSgt Robbo Robson at the end of his full career in the Army and an equally full career in Army Skeleton. Robbo attended an Ice Camp in 1995 and developed swiftly into an Army and GB international, representing the country in the Europa Cup competition over several seasons at Altenberg, Igls, Königssee and Winterberg. He has given freely of his time at no little personal expense and is renowned for his coaching abilities as well as his flair for making his own equipment. This is usually, but not always, a complete success! Robbo has been a significant pillar of support to Army skeleton throughout the last sixteen years and we wish him well for

the future and hope he is occasionally able to return as a “guest coach”. Robbo finishes as Army Champion, a fitting place for him to be.

Army Ice Sports Camp This year’s Ice Sports Camp was held in Igls, Austria and it produced a good number of potential athletes who look like they have some longevity within the sport, which is great news. For those thinking of trying Skeleton, the Ice Camp followed a well-tried and tested formula. On day one, the participants arrived at the Walzl hotel and received an arrival brief, before splitting down into the three disciplines of Bob, Skeleton and Luge. They were then whisked off to the Bobbahn for an initial track walk. It was the first time that they had seen an ice track before and was particularly daunting as international athletes were training at the

SKELETON BOBSLEIGH time. The skeleton group was then introduced to the equipment and given a briefing on the importance of strategically placed padding and balancing of the sleds. On day two the novices began sliding, entering the track at the Ladies Start, about three quarters of the way up, which allowed them to get used to the feeling of sliding - but only at half-speed. On day three, everyone moved to the top. The first run from there is always the most intimidating as the students have experienced what it feels like to slide but now have the added fear of knowing that it will be so much faster. Despite some taking huge hits, both groups showed tremendous courage and were running off the top by day four, encouraging each other and using their shared experiences and fears to bond as a team. At the end of the week there were some spectacular bruises and good stories for the bar but, most importantly, this Ice Camp produced some very promising newcomers who we hope to see return to the sport next season. For those wishing to attend Ice Camp 2011, which is likely to be held in Winterberg in NovDec this year, please email Maj Pete McClellan on pete.mcclellan654@mod.uk to register an interest. The cost is likely to be around £400 for the week and will include accommodation and track fees. Units are encouraged to send teams (for which a good balance would be an officer plus three soldiers) and priority will be given, where possible, to those recently returned from Ops.

Army and Inter Service Championships The beautiful Bavarian village of Königssee played host to both the Army and the Inter Service Skeleton Championships this year. Situated in the heart of a national park by a lake and surrounded by jagged peaks, the bob-track is overlooked by Adolf Hitler’s Bavarian retreat, the Kehlsteinhaus or “Eagles Nest”, 3000ft above the valley below. The scenery is straight out of the film “Where Eagles Dare”; which was shot a few miles away. Twelve sliders attended the Army Championship this year and after an exciting week of racing, the results were: Male

Champion - SSgt M Robson RE, 2nd - Maj A Stuart RAMC, 3rd - Capt P Botterill RAMC; Female Champion - Cpl S Smyth R Signals and 2nd - Sgt N Moxon R Signals Having prepared well, the Army team returned to Königssee where the competition unfolded over a week in early March. Under sunny skies and (relatively) balmy temperatures the track staff had great difficulty in keeping the ice in good condition. The venue itself was the first purpose-built bob-track in the world and, although recently modernised, has retained its charm and character whilst introducing the latest technology; this ensured a slick and highly professional operation. Technically, the ice provided plenty of food for thought as the 22 skeleton athletes struggled to get to grips with the twists, turns and G-forces produced by the course as they hurtled down each day. As training progressed, it became clear that the Royal Air Force were going to be the team to beat, with their uber-professional approach and a very high level of motivation. The draw for the race took place in the local town hall and was attended by the mayor, who

welcomed the officials and athletes to the town and wished us well in our endeavours. Excitement built on the morning of the race as the sleds were brought to the parc ferme for inspection by the jury, Mrs Donna Leslie and Petty Officer Sid Lawrence - both ex-GB internationals. Cheered on by their team-mates and a good selection of VIPs and sponsors, each athlete completed four runs, and although there were no major crashes, there were a number of near-misses including a couple of barrel-rolls which, as they were performed by RAF sliders, was just showing off on the way down! The Royal Air Force team steadily built an unassailable lead over the Royal Navy and the Army and maintained this until the end, eventually triumphing by a clear margin. Finally, an enormous ‘thank you’ to all our Army Winter Sport sponsors - none of the above could have taken place without their help. We can easily accommodate visits from sponsors at any of our events and would welcome them there is even a chance for them to have a go… if they dare!

Results 2010 - 2011 Army Male Champion SSgt M Robson RE Army Male Runner-up Maj A Stuart RAMC Army Female Champion Cpl S Smyth R SIGNALS Army Female Runner-up Sgt N Moxon R SIGNALS Inter Service Male Team Champions RAF Inter Service Female Team Champions RAF (For Skeleton events 2011/2012 see page 4)

SNOWBOARD

SNOWBOARD Lt Col John Connelly RLC

Army Snowboarding has moved from strength to strength over recent years. As the international component of the sport develops, we have seen a marked increase in interest since the last winter Olympics and the Freestyle progression across the sport has been significant. It is with real pride that we can say that 2010/2011 saw a major transition in the sport, the competition entry numbers were up 30% on the previous year with almost a 50/50 split between novice and open riders giving an all up figure of 199 competitors. The season commenced with a record number of Corps Training Camps and a bumper Minor Units Training week all of which nicely dovetailed into Ex SNOWJACK 2010 - the Army Snowboarding Championship held on the Stubai Glacier in Austria.

Army Championship The events at the Championship follow the same profile as the Inter Services and Olympics: Parallel Giant Slalom (PGS), Snowboard Cross (SBX) and a Freestyle event (in our case Slopestyle). The weather was particularly unkind to us this year, with five days lost to the weather and on one day not only was competition cancelled but no one was allowed to freeride in the -31Â° static air temperatures. The metal of the Hill Team was tested throughout as they routinely weathered sub-zero temperatures to manage the timing gear and the start and finish areas. The resounding success of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event could not have been achieved without

the generous support of Nissan Export, Dare2B, Bern Helmets, and Grenade Gloves. In particular Army snowboarding is indebted to Dave Hull who has now supported the Army events for ten years, providing 4x4 vehicles throughout the season, and being a regular visitor to the Army Championship, and also a committed rider. Open Competition The Open Mens Competition should have been a runaway victory for Capt Simon Nicholson REME (1 CS Bn REME): his selection for the GB development squad meant that on paper he was the hot favourite to win the overall individual title. However, having won the PGS and the SBX he had to leave the competition before the slopestyle competition where he lost valuable points and was consequently placed in third position. SSgt John Craig (RAPTC att 3AAC) won the overall Open competition with a display of consistent technical and aggressive riding that is his hallmark. Relative newcomer Capt James Scott KRH (ATR(B)) was runner up with a gutsy winning performance on the slopestyle. The Ladies Open Individual events were dominated by Sgt Sarah Marriot (AMS att 3AAC), Cpl Denise Swift R Signals (228 Sig Sqn)

and Maj Pip Tattersall AGC(ETS) (HQ 2 Med Bde) who respectively gained overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd postions. The Open Team results were: 1st 3AAC; 2nd 1 CS Bn REME; 3rd 32 Engr Regt. Novice Competition The Novice Mens Competition was an exciting affair with no riders being able to dominate. All the events were nail-bitingly fought out and each event produced a different victor. This year was certainly the highest quality of novice competition seen to date, which bodes well for the future of Army Snowboarding. The nature of the Novice competition is such that the competitors improve exponentially with each event and Cfn Brian Laird (3 CS Bn REME) set the pace with a convincing win in the Giant Slalom. 2Lt Hamish Low RE (32 Engr Regt) won the PGS, and Pte Santosh Shrestha (9 Regt RLC) won the Snowboard Cross, 2Lt Hamish Low managed to hold it together throughout the competition and took the overall champion position. Female novice champion was Cpl Chris Todd (AMS), who gained first position in each of the competition events, with LCpl Steph Weaver (INT CORPS) taking second and LCpl Leanne Neal (AGC) taking third.

Contact Snowboard Chairman Snowboard Col RNH Bennett MVO Secretary Snowboard Lt Col JC Connelly RLC t: 94775 5123 (military) (01904) 665123 e: snowboard@awsa.org.uk

SNOWBOARD

DOWNHILL ... ALL THE

‘This is a sport designed for adre

Captain Simon Nicholson REME Captain Nicholson, currently serving as the Training Officer at 1 Close Support Battalion REME, has just completed his second year with the GB Development Team in the Snowboard Cross. This year he was won the Pairs Giant Slalom and Snowboard Cross events at the Army Championship and was later crowned Inter Service Male Snowboard Champion. He also competed as a member of the Combined Services Team at the British Snowboard Championships where he gained third position in Snowboard Cross. My first time snowboarding was with the family back in the mid nineties when snowboarding was still in its infancy. The seed was planted, but I was not to attempt snowboarding again until the age of 15 when I visited my brother who was completing a winter season in Whistler, Canada. A few years later in my home town Milton Keynes the first real snow slope in the UK was built. Work opportunities arose and I gained myself employment in the Ski Rental department. I was subsequently promoted to slope patrol and then to Instructor. There I spent my college years developing a repertoire of tricks and skills but soon my ambitions outgrew the playful slopes of Milton Keynes. New Zealand was the next destination, a season on the North Island at Mt Ruapehu, Whakapapa. Instructing whilst training for my level 1 NZSIA (equivalent to BASI 2) qualification enabled me to progress under the tutorage of some very knowledgeable and skilful snowboarders, it was here my first exposure to Snowboard Cross took place. Strangely, being taken off the mountain via a spinal board was not enough to curb my enthusiasm!

‘My aspiration is to qualify and compete at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia’ Meanwhile, University was calling but before I started I was offered another instructing job, this time at Alpine Meadows in California. It was here that I really developed with my Snowboard Cross. But as the season drew to a close it was back to the UK and back to reality. Whilst studying, I managed a handful of University escapes to the mountains (less focus on the riding but on socialising) but in my mind, it was the end of my snowboarding for anything more than holidays. Then I joined the Army and found success at the Army Championship, Inter Service Championships and then the British Championships. It was off the back of these performances that for the past two seasons I have been fortunate to have represented the Army on the GB Snowboard Cross Team.

We live and train in Morzine, France travelling to competitions around Europe; a jet-setting lifestyle living out of bags in cramped ski resort accommodation. Mentally exhausting, and physically punishing, reaching speeds of 80km/hr in a race - each crash is like a 30mph car wreck! Quality training, nutrition and recovery techniques are all major contributors to finishing the winter unscathed. Only 60% of the team will make it through the whole season without major injuries. So what makes a good snowboard cross athlete? Firstly you have to appreciate that the best snowboarders are one part gymnast and one part racer. Physically you must have good motor skills and coordination, this can be developed later on but a common denominator amongst the best athletes is that they have been good martial artists or gymnasts as children. Mentally, you have to have the competitive edge of a racer with the determination to improve on every aspect of your performance. In high level sports the small details make crucial differences to performance. In snowboard cross the top 50 athletes will be split over three seconds! In summary, to develop as a snowboard cross racer you must practice every snowboard discipline from rails to jumps but most importantly freeriding. Cliff drops, cornices, powder fields, ice and moguls (yes moguls!). Challenging natural terrain is the best training for developing the good reactions, balance, strength and confidence necessary to become a class rider. But where next for me, my aspiration is to qualify and compete at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. A huge undertaking, but with my determination to get there and with the support from the Army, I believe it may become a reality.

Photographs: Arron Hoare and Ben Sutton

SNOWBOARD

E WAY TO THE TOP!

enalin seeking robust soldiers’ Sergeant Sarah Marriott RAMC Sgt Marriott is currently serving as a Combat Medical Technician with 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (3AAC), and has been a regular face at the Army Championships over the past ten years. This year she won every class within the Female open events at the Army Snowboard Championship, gaining the overall winner title and then as a member of the Army Team gained the title of Inter Service Female Champion. She then competed as part of the Combined Services Team at the British Championships in Switzerland to gain the title of British Ladies Masters Snowboard Cross Champion. Army snowboarding had its tenth anniversary last December and each year we go from strength to strength, the level of competitors and the standard of some of the young newcomers are ever growing. This is a sport designed for adrenalin seeking robust soldiers; each year we teach hundreds of complete novices how to snowboard. These newcomers will form the future of snowboarding and push it ever forward. My Snowboarding season started in November at the Army Air Corps and Artillery Snowboard Camp. This was held in the resort of Hintertux in Austria. Along with SSgt John Craig (3AAC, APTCI) I instructed a group of novices and assisted in the instruction of some of the senior riders, as well as getting used to being on my board again - due to being deployed to Afghanistan it had been almost two years since I had strapped a snowboard to my feet! We had a cold but very successful training camp. From Hintertux we travelled over to the Stubai Glacier in Austria, staying in the wellknown village of Neustift. Here we embarked on the Army Snowboarding Championship. We got

‘Due to being deployed to Afghanistan it had been almost two years since I had strapped a snowboard to my feet’ into competition mode and tried to consolidate all our training over the last two weeks. It paid off and I managed to pull off first place in all the disciplines; Slalom, Boarder Cross and Slopestyle - achieving overall first placed female. SSgt Craig also gained exemplary race positions in all his disciplines resulting in first place overall. In addition to the two Individual results we won the overall team event for 3AAC. My success meant that I was re-selected for the Army Snowboarding Team to go on to compete at the Inter Service Championships in January. The standard of snowboarding this year has made a very evident step up in all disciplines but especially the Slopestyle. Overall it was the closest competition by far for the female teams,

but in true fighting spirit the Army Femal Team took the overall title back from the RAF (who won it last year). I feel as if I have progressed more this year than any other, the tuition we have had has been first class and my thirst to improve has pushed me further than I have before. I was delighted to finish the competition in one piece and with the individual ladies title. My final competition this year was the British Snowboarding Championships in Laax, Switzerland. However, due to work commitments I was only able to attend the Snowboard Cross competition - unfortunately missing out on what I hear was an amazing tuition week. Just before all the snow melted in the beautiful sunshine we were able to throw ourselves down the final Snowboard Cross of the season. Having now come of age I was entered into the senior ladies category (oldies) as well as the open. I came first in the senior category and sixth overall. I am extremely proud of my achievements this year and only hope that I can do the same next year. However, better than all of my achievements on the slopes this year, in a very public and spectacular fashion my partner SSgt John Craig proposed to me whist I was receiving one of my medals at the Inter Service Championships. Of course I accepted … too much pressure not to! So a snowboarding wedding it is.

If you are interested in Army Snowboarding check out the Army snowboard webpage at www.armynet.mod.uk (sports, clubs & associations, snowboarding) or visit www.armysnowboarding.com

SNOWBOARD

Inter Service Championships WO2 Andy Moore RAMC - Team Captain The individuals selected during the Army Snowboard Championship to represent the Army at the Inter Service Snow Sports Championships (ISSSC) gathered in late January to travel to Meribel. Last year the team had been hugely successful, winning a clean sweep in the men’s competition and doing very well individually in the ladies. With the commitments the Army faces and the Snowboarding fraternity being so operationally active there was an absence of some of last year’s winning team members and the pressure was definitely on to be able to replicate last year’s success. The team manager had opted for a progressive and young team that would look to dominate in years to come… but could they do it this year? Fortunately the Mens team was bolstered by the inclusion of Capt Si Nicholson REME and newcomer Capt Jamesbackflip-Scott KRH, and the ladies team saw the return of Maj Chrissie-the brainElesmore INT CORPS.

Parallel Giant Slalom The Mens PGS was a hard fought event but the loss of some very experienced riders for the Army Men was very apparent. Team Captain, WO2 Andy Moore unfortunately skidded out in the quarter finals which allowed a greater number of RAF through to the final stages. Luckily Capt Si Nicholson turned it on for the Army and won the event with some impressive gate riding. Men RAF=342 Army=275; Ladies RAF=96 Army=83. There was no doubt that the competition was on … was this to be the first year in seven that Army Men would lose the overall prize and that the ladies would lose for two years running?

Snowboard Cross In an effort to stem the parade of victories by the Army last year the committee changed the rules to an all-in knock out; this meant everyone raced based on their qualifying times. The Army Men stormed home in the blue ribbon event showing some true Army character, determination and skill. The Army Men had all six of their scoring riders in the top 13 and Capt James Scott, in his first year, got through to the final and very nearly made the podium. The fearless riding meant that the ladies mirrored the men in the first rounds with some of the best riding seen in this event and some impressive crashes. Men Army=300 RAF=235; Ladies Army=102 RAF=74

Slopestyle Slopestyle has always been an open event with subjective marking. It requires different skills from the other two events and it has become clear to the committee that this style of event is increasing in popularity with young riders. Last year the Royal Navy dominated, taking all three podium places in the men’s competition. This year it was a tense moment as all three teams lined up, the Army and RAF Men were neck and neck (Army=575 RAF=577). The Navy were super confident that they could take the event again but had complacency set in? It was time for the all new Army team to prove itself; we qualified for six of the 12 places with the Navy and RAF getting three each. Step up the two time winner of Total Wipeout (episode and series champion) Capt James Scott. Despite breaking his

shoulder and effectively having to ride with one arm he still threw down an underflip (backflip) and a massive tail grab to take second place. Four other Army riders also finished in the top nine meaning they had thrashed the other two Services - this was even more impressive considering Cpl Ginge Blackbourne REME, who had a real podium chance, broke his collarbone on his first qualifying run with one of the biggest jumps ever seen! Once again the girls showed the same bravery and took on the course of jumps and rails with determination. As ever Sgt Sarah Marriott showed most of the men how to do it with some smooth jumps (tail grab) and took the top spot by miles. Team Captain Maj Chrissie Elesmore came fourth and showed a real turnaround in her previously gate focused style. Things were very close and it seemed there was too much ground for the ladies to make up for the overall competition. One of the Navy girls finished in amongst the Army and RAF but ... RAF=92 and Army=90. That meant that … hang on ... they had done it as well! Although the Army has more people to pick from than the other two Services it is clear that we struggle to get the same riders back each year due to operations. Of those attending the Army Snowboarding events this season over 80% were just back or just going on Ops. We currently have one member on the GB development squad but could feed in at least six more if the Army wasn’t experiencing such high operational tempo. The Army Snowboarding team is the most successful winter sports team in recent winter sports history and has the potential to produce an Olympic athlete in the near future.

Snowboard Results 2010 - 2011 Army Male Champion Army Male Runner-up Army Female Champion Army Female Runner-up Army Team Champions Army Team Runners-up Army Freestyle Champion Inter Service Male Champion Inter Service Female Champion Inter Service Best Newcomer Inter Service Male Team Champions Inter Service Female Team Champions

SSgt Craig RAPTC Capt J Scott KRH Sgt Marriott RAMC Cpl Swift R Signals 3 Regt AAC 1 CS Bn REME Capt Scott KRH Capt Nicholson REME Sgt Marriott RAMC Capt Scott KRH Army Army

(For snowboard events 2011/2012 see page 4)

Boarders

SNOWBOARD

Maj Chrissie Elesmore INT CORPS – Team Captain Army ladies snowboarding has gone from strength to strength over the last ten years and 2011 was no exception. The Army Championship in December had a total of ten ladies competing in the senior competition; a modest number compared to previous years, but nonetheless a high standard and a healthy mix of old faces and some very promising newcomers. It’s now quite a frequent sight to see a number of ladies ranking amongst the top 20 (and often amongst the top ten) of men, in all disciplines. A total of eight ladies were selected to compete at the Inter Service Snow Sports Championships (ISSSC). Just like the other Services we always suffer from having a couple of our best riders deployed, but we were fortunate this year to have both Capt Naomi Ledger, who returned from Ops just a fortnight prior to ISSSC, and also Capt Rachel Beszant, who deployed just a few weeks after the end of the championships, as part of the squad.

Inter Service Championships Having lost the ISSSC title to the RAF Ladies for the first time ever in 2009, the Army ladies were determined to do everything to win the title back. We knew that the training week in Meribel was going to be vital if we were going to stand a chance

of success. It is amazing the progress that can be made during the course of a week, especially with the quality of coaching that we were lucky enough to have. As well as working on our general technique and riding skills, the ladies team worked hard to face their fears in the snow park. The progression during the week was truly fantastic and for once the entire squad had the prospect of actually being able to do tricks in the Slopestyle competition rather than just surviving! Selecting a team of six from such a strong squad was the toughest decision I’ve had to make in my capacity as team captain. But Maj Pip Tattersall, Capt Cat Jones, Capt Naomi Ledger, Capt Rachel Beszant, Sgt Sarah Marriott and I landed a spot on the team. Despite putting up a good fight, we didn’t get off to the best start at the ISSSC. After some excellent racing and spectacular falls, Sgt Sarah Marriott fought hard to finish in third place in the Parallel Giant Slalom (PGS). But any disappointment the ladies team may have felt was soon wiped away by the delight of Sarah’s surprise marriage proposal from fellow team member SSgt John Craig just after she collected her medal. Unfortunately, we found ourselves one rider down for the rest of the championships as Maj Pip Tattersall snapped her ACL during training. The next event was Boarder Cross (BX) where

Sgt Sarah Marriott charged home in gold, followed by a slightly battered and bruised Capt Rachel Beszant in bronze. Most importantly, the Army Ladies team won the race overall. The final event was the slopestlye and we knew we had to really pull it out of the bag if we were going to stand a chance of winning overall especially as we had one team member less than the RAF. The team dug deep to secure as many points as possible. Sgt Sarah Marriott once again dominated the competition to take gold, whilst Capt Cat Jones and Capt Naomi Ledger pulled off some sweet tricks to secure some vital points for the team. The final victory of the week came from Capt Rachel Beszant who blew away the competition to take the number one slot in the coveted fancy dress competition at the team party. Alright! It had been a tough competition for the Army Ladies team – some outstanding performances, some disappointments and we had been one team member down for two of the competitions. We were therefore thrilled when it was announced that we had managed to clinch the overall ladies team title from the RAF and that Sgt Sarah Marriott was crowned the overall ladies champion. It was a fantastic reward for all of the hard work that the team and our coaches had put in over the two weeks. Job done.

British Championships The season ended with Sgt Sarah Marriott and I being chosen to represent the Combined Services in the BX at the British Snowboarding Championships. A shortage of snow led to the course being a bit of a disappointment, but nonetheless we finished 1st and 2nd in the Ladies Master’s race. 2011 has been an excellent season for Army Ladies snowboarding ... time to get training ready for next year.

Photographs: Arron Hoare

TELEMARK

Telemark Lt Col Iain Saker QDG

At prizegiving, we bade farewell to Maj Gen David Rutherford-Jones, who has been our President for our first four years and has done so much to secure us sponsorship and Recognition. The Army Team was also announced for the Inter Services: Maj Andrew Clarke RA (Captain), Maj “Tiggs” Chohan RLC, OCdt Ed Bonnar, WO2 Phil Maddox RAPTC, WO2 Alex MacKinnon and SSgt Carl Simmons.

After three seasons of hard work (and lots of support from AWSA)Telemark finally made it to the hallowed ground of becoming a Recognised winter sport for the 2011 season. We have travelled a long way in that time, growing a depth of experience amongst our competitors and committee, and further polishing what was already a fun and challenging Army Telemark Championship. We also participated fully in the Inter Services at Meribel for the first time in 2011, and we continue to run a World Cup Telemark event immediately after the Army Championship in January. The surprise has been the extent to which the annual Army Telemark Championship in Rauris, Austria, is starting to become known across the Alps.

Inter Service Championships

Army Championship In spite of the arctic blasts across UK in November and December, 2010/2011 turned out to be one of the warmest winters in living memory. Army Telemark Championship competitors arriving in Rauris in early January were greeted by a somewhat un-snowy valley. The pistes were alright for training initially, but heavy rain stopped play on the fifth day and left the runs soft and heavy for the first of the development races the following day. Eventually temperatures dropped, and new snowfall restored morale in time for the main Championship races. With the Waldalm piste unfit for racing, the Championship Giant Slalom race was held on a new race piste, in quite challenging snowy, windy and cloudy weather. Conditions settled over the remaining race days, with good snow and clear skies enabling exciting skiing in the Sprint Classic and Classic races at both Novice and Championship level. The new event for 2011 was the Mountain Race, competed for on the last day. Some logistic ‘black magic’ was performed to get the whole thing set up and ready for the 0830 start

time. Then, in steadily falling snow, around 45 competitors made a Le Mans start across the line, running 200m uphill to an area where skis could be fitted. After that, it was ‘skinning’ uphill, initially up a steady slope, but later turning to a long and steep uphill climb across un-pisted terrain. Competitors could pick their own route, but had to pass by certain turning marks, and eventually came out at the top of the piste. With a minor course diversion amongst the trees on the way down, the course followed the race back to finish in the area of the start line. It had been intended that the race take around an hour, but an outstanding performance by the supremely fit SSgt Carl Simmons RAPTC saw him finish in 34 minutes, taking the individual prize. The Black Watch team, “The Bonds”, resplendent in kilts, took the team prize in front of a delighted Director Infantry.

A mere week after the Army Championship, the Army Telemark team formed up in Meribel, to take part in the Inter Service Championships. Sadly, the RAF was not able to produce a team so it was a straight Army versus Navy competition. Meribel’s last serious snow had been before Christmas, but race conditions on the Stade were excellent. As the ‘junior sport’, there was a certain amount of hanging around waiting for the mainstream racing to finish, but that detracted little from the racing that followed. From the outset, there was an intense and close rivalry, underlined by some outstanding skiing, between the two team Captains: Maj Andrew Clarke (Army) and Maj Huan Davies RM (Navy). Andrew’s first, first and second in the GS, Sprint and Classic were enough to secure him the Individual Champion prize. However, a margin of strength and depth across the Navy team gave the Navy the edge and secured them the team prize. The final event was the very entertaining (but frenetic to organise) parallel slalom, which saw a complete upset of the leader board and a safe win by WO2 Phil Maddox over Capt Hugh Long RM. We were loyally supported throughout by our generous sponsors, IBM, and were delighted that they all had a go at Telemark! Until next season! For further information about Army Telemark skiing visit www.telemark.army.mod.uk

TELEMARK

‘Telemark finally made it to the hallowed ground of becoming a Recognised winter sport’

Contact Telemark Chairman Telemark Brg R Haldenby Secretary Telemark Maj NT Sutherland QDG e: telemark@awsa.org.uk Treasurer Telemark Maj AD Pery LD e: telemark-treasurer@awsa.org.uk

Telemark Events 2012

Telemark Results 2010 - 2011 Army Male Champion

Maj Clarke RA

Army Male Runner-up

Maj Steele 3SCOTS

Army Team Champions

Manchester UOTC

Army Team Runners-up

29 Cdo Regt RA

Inter Service Male Champion

Maj Clarke RA

Inter Service Champions

Royal Navy

Army Championship EX TELEMARK TITAN Rauris, Austria 7-19 January 2012 Inter Service Championships (ISSSC) Meribel, France 28 January-4 February 2012

EXERCISE HARDFIST

NORDIC SKI TOURING Lt Col Charles Bromley Gardner MBE QRH

The Joint Service Mountain Training Centre (JSMTC) organises a Nordic Ski Adventurous Training (AT) symposium in Norway under the title Ex HARDFIST. I got myself onto the first period in March, one of only four Regular Army personnel, whilst the other eight were RAF, RM, RN and TA. Amazingly the second period was cancelled as there were only five participants. Only five for an all-expenses-paid fortnight ski tour of the Hardangervidda, that’s ridiculous! Let me assure you, the skiing standard is not demanding. Like much AT, there are qualification hoops to jump through, but any Nordic racer who can cope with the tracks and trails at Ruhpolding, or who has been well taught for a couple of seasons is going to be at Advanced Nordic Proficiency standard. That’s about 100 soldiers every year, who haven’t got the AT qualification that they are capable of! We are looking to enable such personnel to fast-track without attending the full five day course and thus make it far easier to gain worthwhile tour leader qualifications. NCOs with good navigational skills should achieve that; all will certainly qualify to Ski Tour Proficiency standard. Once you’ve started ski touring you can also get the AT Ski Instructor award. Two of the other Army personnel (RAPTC Capt & RMP SSgt) on my course volunteered to be officials at SPARTAN HIKE, as that would enable them to double the amount of Nordic skiing in a season. And they, like me, are now Tour Leader Training qualified - the technical skiing requirement is not high. Is it fun? Of course it is, and when you get off the cut trails and onto the tops, making your own tracks, it is certainly a challenge, particularly if there is a bit of a blow. Even in Norway, you have to be alert to natural avalanche dangers. You don’t carry a lot of kit, as the Tourist hytte are extremely well provisioned and comfortable - apart from the necessary safety kit, your spare clothes, slippers and a sleeping bag liner make the bulk of the load. Cooking skills and imagination are a real bonus. AT opportunities are not as widely advertised as they should be, relying on people to bid for courses, but you can receive email/text alerts. Search out what is available on www.ahrc.co.uk. A few of us are trying to increase the central expedition opportunities, particularly for Nordic racers; we’ll get these on the AWSA website as well. After 30 years I’ve gained my first AT qualifications - don’t you leave it as long!

‘After 30 years I’ve gained my first AT qualifications – don’t you leave it as long!’

We couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do Lt Col Tim Wakefield RE - AWSA Sponsorship Secretary

Sponsors have become increasingly important in enabling the Army Winter Sports Association to provide a variety of quality winter sporting activities for the many hundreds of soldiers who take part each year. Although some faces inevitably change over time, it is gratifying that there remain a healthy number of big and small sponsors who are prepared to support our endeavours in the long term. We welcomed some new key sponsors this year including HP, Force Protection and Van Kappel - who joined us under the aegis of Team Army which is a new not-for-profit organisation that raises funds for Army sports. Sadly we also had to say farewell to BAE Systems, whose term of sponsorship is about to end after many years of stalwart support to the downhill racing events; Serre Chevalier and AWSA will certainly miss John and Stella Russell-Jones! From the season openers, the Ice Camp and Championships at Innsbruck and the bonenumbing cold of the Snowboard on the Stubai Glacier, to the Combined Services Ice Finale in March it has been a hugely successful season; a season again blessed with good conditions. Many sponsors took the opportunity to try the various disciplines firsthand whilst also cheering on the intrepid novices and experts who were testing their wits, fitness and courage on both ice and snow. Again the biggest concentration of visitors was at the Army Alpine Championship where a busy social and skiing programme was something to remember, not least of which was the 20th anniversary celebration of the Championship being held in the Chantemerle. A memorable torchlight

SPONSORSHIP

it without you!

mountain descent, impressive fireworks and record breaking speeches started off a festive fun-filled event which was attended by local dignitaries and officials as well as the Army contingent from UK. It was good to see the camaraderie and spirit permeate throughout the Championship; even those who thought better of hurtling down the slopes enjoyed the exploits of a little trekking in snow shoes courtesy of Catharine Moss’ ‘alternative skiing’ programme! Whilst an event clash meant that some soldiers in the CSDST were unable to attend, it was good to see Pete Dunning and Mick Brennan join in the racing at the end of the Championship and give sponsors the opportunity to ski with them So, on behalf of the many hundreds of skiing, sliding, laufing, boarding competitors and officials, a huge thank you for your collective support and company over the last year. A truly memorable season - we look forward to seeing you all again next year!

Contact Sponsorship Lt Col TJ Wakefield RE t: 94391 7363 (military) (01264) 381363 f: 94391 3007 (military) (01264) 383007 m: 07825522543 e: sponsorship@awsa.org.uk

Utrinqu

On Saturday April 16th 2011, the Walking with the Wounded North Pole Expedition Team skied into the record books as they became the first team of unsupported war-wounded amputees to reach the Geographic North Pole. It took the team a remarkably quick thirteen days to travel nearly 200 miles across the frozen polar ice-cap to reach The North Pole! During the Inter Service Ski Championships in 2010 I received a rather unusual email from someone looking for volunteers to walk unsupported to the Geographic North Pole. This email arrived some two years after loosing the use of my right arm in combat in Afghanistan. For the first time since my injury I acted without the slightest hesitation on impulse and immediately filled out the application form. At the time I was the Captain of the Combined Services Disabled Ski Team and had just made it onto the British Disabled Ski Team and was focusing on training towards the world championships but I couldn’t miss out on such an opportunity. On returning from the race season I began the selection process including physical, medical and endurance examinations in the UK Scandinavia and the Arctic Circle at the end of which I was informed I had been selected as part of a seven-man team to attempt a world first. No one with the loss of, or loss of use of, a limb had ever walked unsupported to the North Pole. Our team consisted of two guides, two ex-army officers who founded the charity, four wounded soldiers and HRH Prince Harry. Throughout the following ski season I balanced racing for the national team with preparing for the Arctic. Over the course of the year my racing took me to New Zealand, Europe and the Arctic Circle. Whenever possible the North Pole team would conduct collective training which ranged from gym training and tabbing to ski touring and dragging tyres. During the race training periods I would usually rise

early and carry out Alpine race training until lunch. I’d then eat as much as possible and go ski touring with a Bergen on, or go tyredragging, before dinner. Evenings would be spent in the gym followed by preparing and waxing ski’s for the following day. As spring approached I finished this year’s racing four weeks early - after winning my first gold at the Paralympic National Championships in Sweden. This was to ensure I didn’t injure myself immediately prior to departing for the expedition. After a period of rest and eating everything we could the WWTW team set off to Svalbard. This collection of islands in the Arctic Circle is a baron place with many low level glaciers and basic human habitation that provided the ideal acclimatisation location. The

team spent the best part of a week packing and repacking our pulks so we knew exactly where each item of equipment was in case of emergency or white out. As our time on the islands progressed we became restless and longed to begin our expedition. We were finally joined by our Patron HRH Prince Harry who immediately integrated into the team and we all began training together. Ski touring, cold-water immersion drills, polar bear drills and much more kept us occupied prior to our departure. On landing at our start point I was immediately struck by the cold. The combination of -38° with a brisk wind and the down draft of the helicopters rotor blades made for a rapid reality check. We were now surrounded by ice and snow as far as the eye could see with boulder fields all around. We had trained and prepared to establish a routine of walking for two hours and resting for five minutes to eat and drink throughout the day. This we began immediately and stuck to for the duration of the expedition. Endurance events of this nature require an element of mental robustness and effective teamwork. When one man is cruising you can bet another is suffering. Knowing we would break every two hours was essential to maintaining moral and routine. Our camping was also a rehearsed and wellpracticed routine. Our disabilities presented us all with different additional challenges in such an environment. My own resulted in being significantly less efficient in erecting a tent. Therefore, I’d prepare my tent teams’ grab-bags

ue Paratus

WALKING WITH THE WOUNDED

Captain Martin Hewitt - The Parachute Regiment

and sleeping bags to take inside the tent once established. I’d then inflate the thermarests inside whilst my teammates stabilised the tent with guy ropes and collected snow for melting. Such teamwork was consistent throughout the expedition in order to overcome the challenges we faced, especially when crossing pressure ridges. Huge mounds of ice, metres upon metres in length breadth and height, created by enormous pieces of ice - the size of small towns - colliding together creating a forced ridge line. We’d negotiate such obstacles by moving around them, or over them and sometimes driving through them. Often manoeuvring our own pulks but sometimes dropping harnesses and working as a team, one pulk at a time. To discuss the daily ups and downs would require a significant article so I’ll summarize by stating that you have time to think whilst walking on ice for ten hours a day, every day until your GPS reads 90oN. We thought about our pasts, our injuries, our training and for all of us, our futures. I was informed immediately

before departure that I was to be medically discharged within six months of my return so I spent a fair amount of time identifying what’s next in life after the Para’s. The team had a little lady luck on our side and the weather was mostly kind to us; often a mere -30o with good visibility enabling us to walk everyday, which resulted in us completing the expedition a week early. The expedition proved to be a great success and I hope we achieved our aim of sending out a clear message to our wounded colleagues. Through service some of us have received life changing dissabilitating injuries. Adapting to life with such injuries is difficult and frustrating to say the least. However, with the appropriate level of support, a positive and determined attitude mixed with a little Squaddie stubbornness - it is possible to adapt, improvise and overcome the additional challenges in order to achieve success. Many commentators stated publically that what we embarked on was physically impossible with such disabilities. I think not.

Walking with the Wounded

The success of the North Pole expedition marks the first venture for Walking with the Wounded which was founded in 2009. The charity aims to raise over £2million to re-train and re-skill wounded Service personnel from the British Armed Forces. The next challenge is a Walking with the Wounded Everest Expedition which is currently recruiting applicants. Anyone in a position to help, from sponsors through to fundraisers, should contact Martin for further information via the Everest link at www.wwtw.org.uk If you would like to make a donation to Walking with the Wounded visit www.wwtw.org.uk or why not buy Mark McCrum’s book about this year’s expedition – all proceeds go to the Walking with the Wounded charities.

Ex Spartan Col Stephen James

This season’s Spartan Hike got off to an unusual start when the race officials were invited to help out at the Serre Chevalier FIS Masters event, apparently because the race organiser had been let down on the day. This turned out be very useful, since the Masters were using the same pistes as us, so the change of snow conditions over the day could be scrutinised. With warm weather prevailing, the verdict was that the snow was OK, but only just. The next day the Spartan Hike competitors booked in and the news was less encouraging because the Masters Super G was cancelled due to thin and soft snow. Light snow started to fall in the evening, giving some hope for better conditions. Making our way up the mountain for the first race it was apparent that there had been some significant snow, and we found 40cm of powder at the start. The pisteurs had worked through the night so the race piste was in excellent condition and Spartan Hike 2011 was underway. Keeping the experienced competitors and the officials out of the powder proved to be the biggest problem that day: had we known that it was to be one of the biggest snowfalls of the season it might have been worse! Meanwhile the seeding GS indicated some fierce competition was ahead, with five competitors scoring fewer than ten race points. The championship started with the Team GS which was closely fought by individuals but won in convincing fashion by the Light Dragoons,

with 15 seconds in hand, over the King’s Royal Hussars who were less than two seconds ahead of 7 Battalion REME. In the Individual GS the following day, Sgt Mike Atkinson confirmed his position as strong favourite for the individual championship with a winning margin of over three seconds, while Lt Col Tony Stevens failed to finish the second run and so left the other veterans with an open field for their competition. Lt Jen Kehoe of 26 Engineer Regiment took the Ladies’ prize, beating Maj Mel Hilton of 20 Transport Squadron RLC by just over two seconds. Thursday brought another fine day on the Clot Gauthier piste for the Super G. The fresh snow at the start of the week had packed down well with colder weather, so the conditions were excellent. Sgt Atkinson maintained his expected form and won the race, but by less than a second ahead of Sgt Jon Howe of 11 Signal Regiment. The surprise result was OCdt Harry James from Sheffield UOTC in third place, in his first season of racing. The Light Dragoons took the team prize, just under three seconds ahead of 7 Battalion REME, with the Scottish Transport Regiment in third place ahead of the Light Dragoons. The snow continued to hold up well throughout Downhill training on Friday and Saturday, providing many heart-stopping

moments for competitors and officials. This year we had to move the start down a little from the top of the mountain due to lack of snow but this did not alter the character of the course at all; the first gliding section still being long enough to build speed before the right-hand turn down the first wall. The faster competitors were taking to the air in three places on the course, all natural jumps. The favoured spot for spectators was the third of these, just above the finish. This demanded skill and good timing over a small hump just before the actual jump. Training had been further stimulated by the fore-runners from the French national youth team, including Luc Alphand’s daughter. Sunny conditions on race day brought some challenging transitions from bright light to shade, but this clearly didn’t affect Sgt Atkinson,

Contact Ex Spartan Hike Secretary Ex Spartan Hike Maj J Smith RAPTC t: 94342 4107 (Military) (01980) 656407 f: 94342 4902 (Military) e: ex-spartanhike@awsa.org.uk

‘Spartan Hike continues to be a great opportunity for young officers and NCOs to lead a team, and provides welcome respite from operations’

OCdt Harry James on his way to 4th in the Downhill

n Hike taking first place by over six seconds from Cpl Joe Stamp of the Light Dragoons. Third place was particularly close with four competitors within eight tenths of a second, Lt Col Stevens taking the place just ahead of OCdt James. Most deserving of an honourable mention was OCdt Georgina Johnstone of the University of London UOTC: having taken two hard falls in training she skied with total commitment in the race and was unlucky when her binding released on landing the final jump. The Light Dragoons were again the winning team, ahead of 7 Battalion REME who skied consistently throughout the event. The King’s Royal Hussars took third place by just half a second from Oxford UOTC. Conditions on the slalom piste at the bottom of the mountain were rather different, with much of the slope in full sunshine and a mostly artificial snow base. The dramatic change from Downhill to Slalom was no problem for Sgt Atkinson, once again winning the Team event by a clear margin of nearly nine seconds. This contributed to 7 Battalion REME’s first place but was not the whole story, as each member of the team beat their rivals - man for man - giving an impressive margin of nearly 24 seconds. Even so the Light Dragoons could take a creditable second place, beating the hors concours Royal Engineers team for the first time, with Oxford UOTC third. Readers will have gathered that we started the Individual Slalom with Sgt Atkinson expected to win the race and the individual championship. After a challenging first run he led the race, with OCdt Tom Calder-Smith of Oxford UOTC in a strong second place and Lt Col Stevens hot on his heels. After 14 runners on the second run these positions were unchanged, although Sgt Howe had made an excellent effort with the fastest run to rise to third place. Then, in the biggest upset of the championship, Sgt Atkinson retired after an unlucky slap in the face from a slalom pole. OCdt Johnstone took the ladies’ prize, a particularly sweet victory having missed out last year. Slalom is always particularly challenging for the novices, so it was heartening to see Tpr Tom Greene of the Household Cavalry Regiment take his first winner’s medal, just ahead of Gnr John Williams of 14 Regiment RA. Thus OCdt Calder-Smith emerged as the Individual Champion, with his lead in the technical races overcoming the slightly faster pace of Sgt Howe and Cpl Stamp in the speed events. Lt Kehoe was the Ladies Champion, ahead of Maj Hilton. Maj Andy Arthurton was the Veterans Champion, thanks to a strong

ALPINE

result in the Downhill. The Champion Novice was ATpr Stuart Hall of 3 Regiment AAC, thanks to his determined yet consistent skiing. The Light Dragoons took the Team Championship, with 7 Battalion REME in second place: although they made up a lot of ground in the Slalom, they were too far behind going in to the race. Oxford UOTC was third, and also won the Ladies Team Championship. This was the 19th year that Spartan Hike had raced in Serre Chevalier, and once again we had superb support from the resort, which was particularly important in a year where snow was such a precious commodity. The competitors skied with great commitment across the range of ability, and there were many mini-competitions fought out over the races. Spartan Hike continues to be a great opportunity for young officers and NCOs to lead a team, and provides welcome respite from operations. It is one of the best opportunities for Regular and TA units to compete together, and for the members of those teams to get to know each other better. This year there were many outstanding deeds of great character and skill, and some great team performances: it is important to remember that Army Alpine is very much about unit team racing. The winner of the GOC’s Award was 2Lt Andrew Wood of 1st Royal Tank Regiment, who lead a team of three troopers to qualify for the Army Championships, without any experience at this level. I hope many other young officers will follow his example, and their commanding officers will support them.

OCdt Georgina Johnstone about to exit the Downhill

Sgt Atkinson passes Cfn Kier ... Kier finished!

Tom Calder-Smith on his way to victory Photographs: Sylvian Oliveira and Sgt Simon Butcher RAF

NORDIC

Ex Spartan

Hike Lt Col Charles Bromley Gardner MBE QRH

It was raining when the officials arrived at Serre Chevalier on 7th January - was this a break in the run of good early January weather with which we had been blessed? If so, it was really bad timing, with 215 soldiers wanting to compete on the valley’s Nordic tracks and trails; a welcome increase, due to a resurgence in TA participation. Women made up a quarter of the competitors, another welcome development, and not only because they invariably bring glamour and great enthusiasm to the championships! Such was the prior preparation of the tracks by Patrick Maure and his crew of pisteurs that we actually had little to worry about - although the tracks were icier than normal, leading to some challenging waxing questions in the Classic competition, they held up very well on a firm base and we didn’t have to delay any of the events. So the programme proceeded smoothly. Cold weather to freeze the ground and some early season snow are more important than the weather conditions during the championships - although some sun is not to be sneezed at. The programme started with the cross country relay mass start - straight in at the deep end for those with little prior experience. A good clean start from all 36 men’s teams set the standard, matched of course by the13 women’s teams five minutes later. 1RTR led from the front with a strong team performance to finish a clear four minutes ahead of 131 Indep Cdo Sqn RE(V), who were battling to and fro with 17 Port & Maritime RLC until the last leg. The surprise was KRH in fourth place, having not skied for a number of years. 29 Regt RLC women were five minutes clear of the REME.

The snow conditions meant a change to the preferred track for the Classic Individual, but the challenge was to get the correct wax for your strengths. Cpl Birmingham (1 RTR) had pulled the short straw with Bib No 1, but led the field all the way around for 15km; with Cpl Lamb (17 P&M Regt RLC) starting at No 4 but failing to get within 11 seconds of him, this competition was settled within 46 minutes before most of the competitors had even started! Spr Dorward was the first of three top 131 Indep Cdo Sqn RE(V) TA finishers to become the TA Champion. Everyone continued their own personal struggle, some valiantly for over two hours. Not that the women took so long, Capt Jones (19 Regt RA) leading the way in under 40 minutes for the 10km, 11/2 minutes ahead of Pte Masters (29 Regt RLC). OCdt Wray (Oxford UOTC) was the leading TA lady. Interest now transferred to the biathlon competitions - could the good skiers shoot accurately under pressure? This time Sgt Clash (12 Regt RA) and Gnr Solon (1 RHA) led the 35 teams on the first leg of the relay, even though they did not shoot clear; LCpl Scott was accurate and set 1 RTR up for another team win. Other placings were never certain, with 33 Engr Regt (EOD) being unable to maintain second place after the second leg, so letting 131 Indep Cdo Sqn RE(V) and 17 P&M Regt RLC through again. The women from 29 Regt RLC led throughout again, eventually finishing nine minutes clear of the field. The individual biathlon was to be more of a test of marksmanship than previously - four shoots rather than just two. A total of 191 competitors took up the challenge ... and

NORDIC

Contact Ex Spartan Hike Secretary Ex Spartan Hike Maj J Smith RAPTC t: 94342 4107 (Military) (01980) 656407 f: 94342 4902 (Military) e: ex-spartanhike@awsa.org.uk between them missed a lot of targets! But many improved their shooting score during the competition and so learnt how to race a biathlon, for example Spr Alfree (25 Engr Regt (Air Sp)) who missed four then two in the prone position and three then one whilst standing. Particular praise went to Cpl Dawson (3 Yorks), who only missed three of his 20 shots; having been 126th in the cross country, he was 42nd in the biathlon due to his shooting: a great result having only been on skis since 2 January. At the front Cpl Birmingham (1 RTR) demonstrated why he is in the national squad, finishing three minutes clear of Spr Cottam, a Regular serving with 131 Indep Cdo Sqn RE(V). LCpl McCreadie (29 Regt RLC) was the ladies’ champion, ahead of LCpl Beddoe (REME), even though she missed half her targets.

The Championship culminated with the sun shining for the Military Patrol Race, 20km across hill and dale. Maj Scott set an interesting challenge that required teams to keep their wits about them: some teams learnt the hard way that the map was not a worthless piece of paper, arriving at the range before they should have! The experienced heads of 131 Indep Cdo Sqn RE(V) made sure that they did not miss a trick or two; completing the two hour course just 36 seconds faster than 17 P&M Regt RLC, they lost less time on the stands and were eventually four minutes clear. The women completed the same course with 29 Regt RLC winning in only an hour longer than the men - the REME and 1 RHA teams, whilst being 20 minutes quicker, did not fulfil the race conditions.

So the overall champions were clear cut: 1 RTR overall; 131 Indep Cdo Sqn RE(V) TA men; 29 Regt RLC women, with HAC the TA women; Exeter took the UOTC honours. 11 units qualified for the Army Championships and this was just reward; all of them had put much commitment of resources and physical effort into their skiing season, along with good leadership and instruction. 17 of the women qualified individually to form the majority of their championship. So we look forward to the challenges of 2012, with an even earlier start on 8 January, but in the same format as this year. There’ll be plenty of new faces and some familiar ones returning from operations. It’s the officials that get older and longer in the tooth, thank you to all of them.

Photographs: Sgt Simon Butcher RAF

EXERCISE PIPEDOWN

Contact Ex PIPEDOWN e: ex-pipedown@awsa.org.uk

Ex PIPEDOWN Capt Vic Hardy RA This year was the 17th year that Exercise PIPEDOWN has held its Championships at the Alpine ski resort Les ContaminesMontjoie near Mont Blanc. More than 70% of the 320 competing soldiers and officers were novice skiers and the competition was one of the most eventful and exciting to date. The unseasonably warm weather resulted in very icy and fast ski runs which provided a variety of twists and turns in both disciplines. Major General Adrian Bradshaw, General Officer Commanding 1 (United Kingdom) Armoured Division described the event as ‘a critical opportunity for soldiers to learn new skills and allow the Army to fulfil, in part, its military covenant to soldiers’. He explained that in these days of intense operational

Photographs: Sgt Mark Nesbit RLC 48

commitments, exercises like PIPEDOWN give our soldiers a change, which is important for the process of coming down after an operational tour. He went on to say that ‘this is valid military activity which develops all the traits we expect soldiers to have on operations such as good marksmanship, fitness, coordination, teamwork, leadership and organisation. It also encourages courage, boldness, cooperation and a chance for soldiers to enjoy themselves. The Army promises a life of adventure and opportunity, this is one of those opportunities’. Troops from across Germany, accompanied by soldiers from 2 Division, and units based in Northern Ireland all took part. A significant addition to the competition

this year came from the Defence Training School at Leconsfield and also the Combined Services Disabled Ski Team.

EXERCISE PIPEDOWN

Sergeant MacPherson of the Joint Services Parachute Centre finished as the best individual men’s Alpine skier, winning the individual alpine combination along with victories in the Giant Slalom, Super Giant Slalom and the Downhill. He was prevented from achieving a clean sweep by Corporal White of 1 Logistical Support Regiment who pushed him into second place in the Slalom. The women’s alpine events were fiercely contested with Lieutenant Collins of 28 Engineer Regiment eventually declared best individual female. Whilst Capt Fewster of 4th Regiment Royal Artillery won the women’s Slalom and Giant Slalom and Capt Kirkpatrick of 39th Regiment Royal Artillery was the fastest lady in the Super Giant Slalom and the Downhill.

Corporal Ian Bishop, of 45 Commando Royal Marines was also present at Ex PIPEDOWN competing with the Combined Services Disabled Ski Team. During his last tour in Afghanistan in February 2009, whilst on foot patrol near Sangin in Helmand Province, he lost both his legs when he was hit by an improvised explosive device. He is now part of the ‘Battle Back Scheme’ and is aiming to compete in the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Russia.

Staff Sergeant Walker of 1 Logistical Support Regiment achieved a clean sweep of prizes in the men’s Nordic competition, winning the individual combination, the 15 km classic and the 10 km biathlon sprint. Sgt Fowler also from 1 Logistical Support Regiment emulated these achievements in the women’s competition with victories in the 10 km classic and the 7.5 km biathlon sprint, helping her to claim the women’s individual Nordic combination. However, 1 Medical Regiment won the overall women’s team Nordic Competition Once again Gutersloh based 1 Logistics Support Regiment won the overall Divisional Combined Ski Champion Unit Competition as well as the team competitions in both the men’s Alpine and Nordic disciplines. The 1LSR men’s team also won the Military Patrol race – an event designed to test soldiers in essential military skills expected of them on operations including marksmanship, map reading and physical endurance.

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