Snow & Ice 22

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ARMY WINTER SPORTS ASSOCIATION

Army Winter Sports Association

ASCB, Mackenzie Building, Fox Lines, Queen’s Avenue, Aldershot, GU11 2LB (01252) 787078 contact@awsa.org.uk awsa.org.uk

AWSA is a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England No 7890840 Registered Charity 1146256

Royal Patron

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

Patron

Lt Gen Sir John Lorimer KCB DSO MBE

Hon Life President Gen Sir Peter Wall GCB CBE ADC Gen

Deputy Presidents

ALPINE - Maj Gen Paul Griffiths

ICE SPORTS - Maj Gen John Collyer NORDIC - Maj Gen Simon Hamilton CBE

SNOWBOARD - Maj Gen Simon Graham VR TELEMARK - Lt Gen Sir Edward SmythOsbourne KCVO CBE

Chairman Maj Gen Darren Crook Vice Chairman Brig Joe Fossey OBE Secretary Lt Col (Retd) Steve Davis secretary@awsa.org.uk

Duty Chair Screening Col James Rhodes

Public Fund Manager

Lt Col Katy Badham Thornhill Assistant Secretary Diane Walters asec@awsa.org.uk

Admin Officer Jana Daniell website@awsa.org.uk

Editor/Designer of Snow & Ice Catharine Moss editor@awsa.org.uk

ARMY WINTER SPORTS ASSOCIATION

The Army Winter Sports Association (AWSA) was formed (as the Army Ski Association) 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. The Association helps soldiers to develop their skills in demanding conditions thereby fostering self discipine, physical courage and teamwork. Many have gone on to represent their country in successive winter Olympic games.

The AWSA supports 8 winter sports disciplines: Alpine, Bobsleigh, Cresta, Luge, Nordic, Snowboard, Skeleton, and Telemark.

Welcome to the 2022 Snow and Ice Magazine in its new digital format. I am honoured and absolutely thrilled to have been provided with an opportunity to be the Chair of the Association, particularly in this our 75th Anniversary year. From such humble beginnings under the direction of Field Marshal Montgomery, the 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, we remain at the forefront of Army sporting excellence.

As we fast approach what I hope will be a full and successful winter season we should reflect on what has been an extremely turbulent couple of years. The COVID pandemic decimated the 2019/20 season in its entirety, and then just as our teams and competitors started to deploy to the slopes in 2021/22, we were hit with a second OMICROM variant which affected European travel causing us to cancel both the Nordic and Ice Sport Championships completely whilst heavily restricting numbers at the Alpine Championships later that year. You will all have had to navigate a difficult set of personal and family conditions through COVID yet, against such a backdrop, I congratulate everyone associated with the association, as either an official or committee member, for your determination and resolve to keep driving forward against the odds. I am very grateful for your efforts and as we look ahead to this winter, I am sure your resolve will have positioned us for an excellent season ahead.

It has been humbling to watch AWSA rally together as a genuine team of teams. Thankfully I am pleased to report that we have retained a level of consistency in our ranks across all disciplines with only some minor changes in personnel. The Chief of

AWSA CHAIRMAN

Maj Gen Darren Crook

the General Staff has agreed that the AWSA President’s role returns to that office, and we look forward to General Sir Patrick Sanders’ tenure as both our CGS and as a long-term supporter of winter sports. In other news, following several successful years at the helm of Ice, Alpine and Snowboard, we bid a fond farewell to Major General Jon Cole and Brigadiers Barty Bartholomew and Nick Pond. Wherever their futures take them, the AWSA is indebted to them for their diligence, dedication, and enthusiasm in guiding the Association during their tenure and leaving it in such a strong position for the next generation. The AWSA Management Team now includes Major General John Collyer, Brigadier Craig Hanson and Brigadier Karl Harris who I know will bring considerable energy to bear in their respective disciplines. Finally, I would also like to welcome Major General Paul Griffiths who is our new Alpine Deputy President and with Major General Simon Graham for Army Snowboarding.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the winter sports review undertaken by the AWSA over the past 18-months.. and the excellent work it has done in revitalising winter sports within and across the Army. We now face our next 75 years with renewed purpose and vigour. The work done by a small band of determined winter sports diehards cannot be overestimated; they have done an extraordinary amount to set strong foundations for the future. On your behalf, I want to formally acknowledge our the Vice Chair AWSA, Brigadier Joe Fossey, who in two years in post has yet to see a decent amount of time on snow or ice yet championed the review, and to Major Andrew Miller RIFLES, our Nordic skiing secretary, whose staff work and support has been nothing short of exceptional.

That he continues to play a major role in delivering winter sports from the Defence Academy’s classroom alongside a small team drawn from across the AWSA speaks volumes about the tenacity of all of you to do our best for our soldiers. A warm congratulations to to those other members of the Association who ensure the day to day business remains on course. First the Secretary Lt Col (Retd) Steve Davis and his team in AWSA HQ in Aldershot. Secondly, those that work so hard in the background, particularly Colonel James Rhodes in the new role of Deputy Screening Board, Colonel Graham Sefton our new Sponsorship Secretary, Lt Col Katy Badham-Thornhill, our returning PF Manager, and Lt Col Matt Haslett as contract manager. All of you form the bedrock of the Association and I am extraordinarily grateful for your time, patience and hard work.

Against the backdrop of the Pandemic it is difficult to gage attendance against previous years as all of our events were down on numbers, but I hope that there will be renewed enthusiasm, despite growing military commitments for us to witness a bumper 2022/23 season

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Chairman (cont.)

with numbers back to pre-COVID levels. Let’s also hope that following such a lengthy and detailed review of our organisation we will be set to get on with the ‘good stuff’ for some years to come.

With all the constraints placed on us at the time, I am still delighted with our performance at the 2021/22 Inter-Services Championships. Winning 4 of the 9 male and female events given what COVID-19 had done to our programme was deeply impressive. You and I both know that the pressure is on to retain this quality as we compete against the Royal Navy and RAF in 22/23!

Our elite athletes continue to thrive, although it is with great sadness that two of our most successful winter athletes with a combined 6 Olympic Games between them have taken the decision to retire from competition at the highest level. We bid farewell to Sergeant Amanda Lightfoot (Nordic and Biathlon) and Lance Sergeant Lamin Deen (Bobsleigh) and wish them every success. They have been true ambassadors of, and flagbearers for Army Sport.. In the upcoming generation we have LCpl Nick Gleeson on the road to his second Olympics in 2024 and Lt Marcus Webb hoping to carry on where Amanda left off in Nordic and Biathlon with a further three athletes receiving scholarships in 2022.

Army Winter Sport is a hugely important part of creating the right conditions for our soldiers and leaders to flourish, train and compete in high pressure environments. An active season, offering the broadest range of activity, appeals to both our Regular and Reserve novices and experts alike.

Field Marshal Montgomery established the Association 75 years ago to focus fighting spirit and the will to win. We are all set for the 2022-23 season. Embrace it, enjoy it, and I look forward to seeing athletes, coaches, officials and support staff once again, either on snow or ice, or perhaps even both.

Good luck for the year ahead!

How to join the AWSA

All those participating in AWSA sponsored events, including divisional championships, or in receipt of ASCB managed grants are required to hold current AWSA membership.

Full membership of the AWSA is open to all ranks of the British Army, whether serving on a regular, FTRS or Reserves engagement or as a member of a UOTC or the Army Cadet Force.

Associate membership is available to:

• All members on retirement from the Army.

• All serving members of the RN, RAF and overseas forces whilst on the strength of an Army unit or establishment.

• MOD civil servants.

The annual subscription for membership, which will be subject to periodic amendment by the Management Committee, is £15 (one off fee of £125 for Life Membership) payable on joining and thereafter annually on 1st August.

Please visit www.awsa.org.uk/membership to complete the application process.

Amendment to the AEWAI DIN 2022DIN10-024 –

For the purpose of all AWSA associated activity

Exercise Controllers and Team Captains are to note two amendments to the Winter Sports DIN at paras 38 and 41:

• Para 38 – Provides new direction on travel to and from the exercise area and drivers hours.

• Para 41 – Provides direction on the use of a new Winter Sport specific Purpose of Travel (PoT) Code 33, which is to be used for all transport bookings for winter sport activity.

The updated DIN can be accessed via Defence Connect. Link available here.

Please be aware the AWSA has been notified of change to the Purpose of Travel (PoT) Code for Winter Sports. This has now changed to PoT Code 33.

Annual General Meeting

The Army Winter Sports Association AGM will be held at the BT Tower on on Thursday 24th November 2022.

AWSA 75 YEARS

By

In the beginning

On 8th May 1945, one day after the end of the War in Europe, the British 8th Army commanded by Lt Gen Sir Richard McCreery (late 12th Lancers) moved from Italy into Austria. As “British Troops Austria” (BTA) some 55,000 soldiers lived in the British Zone as part of the Allied occupation.

McCreery tasked one of his staff officers, Lt Col Robert Readhead 12L, who had competed at the 1939 FIS World Championships in Poland to establish a Mountain School on the Gross Glockner. He recruited some 600 Austrian ski instructors and. in 1946, the first BTA races were held.

In 1947 at the behest of the CIGS, Field Marshal Montgomery, the Army Ski Association (ASA) was

formed with Maj Gen J.E.T. Younger as Chairman. Monty, a keen alpine skier and became the Vice Patron. The first Army / ASA Alpine & Nordic Championships were held in 1948 on the Kanzelhohe near Villach; the winners being 1 Scots Gds and 1 West Yorks respectively.

But this was not the first time British soldiers had been seen on skis. In 1888 “Col Napier” brought the first alpine skis to Davos, and in 1914 Sir Henry Lunn presented what became the Army, Navy and Air Force Cup for the British Services Champion for a race at Villars. In 1919 a company of 6 Yorks, some on skis, took part in several days fighting during an attack at Bol’shie Ozerki on the Murmansk Railway in Russia in March 1919.

In early 1940 at Chamonix 5 Scots Gds spent 6 weeks training for the relief of Finland. Alas, the Finns were forced to sign peace with Russia and the battalion disbanded. Although 52 (Lowland) Div converted to a “snow division” in 1942 – 43, this was also to no avail as they were to fight in the mud of the Dutch islands!

The Growth of the ASA

In 1955 Cresta joined the ASA which in the pre-package holiday era devoted much effort from its base in the Old War Office Building, to organising rail travel from the UK to the Alps for the Championships and to the “Holiday Scheme”. Such were the discounts offered that by the late 60s the membership was 14,000 –some 7 times greater than today! The ASA became the AWSA in 1988 after Bobsleigh joined in 1966, Ski Bike in 1971, and Luge in 1987. A year later Skeleton joined with Snowboard and Telemark being demonstration sports at the 50th Anniversary at “AWSA 50” in St Moritz in 1997. Ski Bike has disappeared, but Snowboard became a full member in 2000 and Telemark in 2007. Today, based in Aldershot, the AWSA gives media, logistic and administrative support to all disciplines as well as being an active interface and distributor of sponsors’, non-public and public funds.

Championship Venues

In 1949 The Championships were held in St. Anton and a year later

Field Marshal The Viscount Montgomery of Alamein with Mrs Readhead, St Moritz 1961

Presentation by Her Royal Highness of the Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent Cup to 40 Regt RA - 1962

Lt Col (Retd) Mark Goodson

moved to Bad Gastein. In 1955 Austria once again became a sovereign and independent nation and although Alpine remained there for another 4 years Nordic moved to Winterberg, where many of the then 77,000 strong British Army of The Rhine lived within a couple of hours. Alpine visited several Alpine venues before finally settling in Serre Chevalier in 1993. Nordic was hosted by Oberjoch and Zwiesel in Germany plus Les Saisies in France, Obertilliach in Austria but primarily, and for 23 years, Ruhpolding (a.k.a. “The Wimbledon of Biathlon”) in Bavaria. The ice sports have been sliding mainly in France, Germany, and Austria.

“The Marina”

HRH Princess Marina the Duchess of Kent was the first Patron and was succeeded by her son the present Duke of Kent. The Duchess presented the Cup named after her in 1957. The “Marina” is one of the most prestigious trophies in Services sport and is for “The Champion Skiing Unit of the British Army”. Only 22 different regiments, representing six Corps, have been the Champions.

St. Moritz – AWSA 50

In 1997 the 50th Anniversary of the AWSA was held in the magnificent

surroundings of St. Moritz. At 1800m and with over 300 days of sunshine annually it is arguably the world. Not just the Swiss #1 winter sports resort. Over 450 competitors in 9 disciplines made AWSA 50 one of the largest multi-disciplined events outside the Winter Olympics. There were 35 different events plus the Inter Service Alpine, Nordic & Bob, and a social event almost nightly.

St. Moritz hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 1928 & 48 when “Winter Pentathlon” (Alpine, Cross Country. Equestrian. Fencing & Shooting) was held for the only time. The photo above right shows Capt John Walker 5DG of the all-Army GBR team.

HRH The Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra visited and also attended the English Church to mark its 125 years and our 50th. It was standing room only; soldiers had to be turned away at the door – amazing but true! Also amazing were the VIPs from Roger Moore (James Bond) to a total of 47 “stars” of serving and retired officers and many of the Army’s Winter Olympians. There were live reports on BBC Radio 5, whilst some teams even had jacuzzis in their apartments!

Much more went on during AWSA 50 including the World Bob Champs

and on the frozen lake Polo, Horse Racing and Cricket (with the Army Team competing). The floodlit Closing Ceremony was also on the lake. The medallists arrived by horse drawn sleigh, the RTR Band, Pipes & Drums and Swiss Army Band performed at -18C and there was a memorable firework finale.

The Olympic Winter Games

The Army & AWSA have a proud record of representing Great Britain in international events, particularly in the OWG. At the first ever Winter Games at Chamonix in 1924 three of the GBR Silver Medal Bob team were serving Army officers. A total of over 100 Army athletes have participated in the post-war Games. Half of them in Biathlon & Cross Country and many more than once, with Sgt Michael Dixon MBE BEM 35 Engr Regt competing in six!

In 1964 Tony Nash ex Royal dragoons and Capt Robin Dixon Gren Gds won the Gold Medal in the 2-man Bob. It was a long wait until Nagano 1998 when Cpls Sean Olsson and Dean Ward PARA took Bronze in the 4-man Bob. In 2018 Capt Jen Kehoe RE won two Golds, a Silver and a Bronze Medal as an Alpine Guide for the visually impaired civilian skier Menna Fitzpatrick

The ‘ will we, won’t we

Having seen the 2021 ski season slide into the ever-depressing vacuum that was COVID, it seemed too much to hope that 2022 would be any different.

A brief respite and a return to seminormality in the Summer and Autumn of 2021 was soon crushed by the new variant and the inevitable quagmire of different rules being slapped onto almost any activity, not least of all travel abroad. The French rules over Christmas and New Year of 2021/22 were particularly hard over on visitors from the UK (for reasons too long and complicated to go into here) but that was not a view held by any of the ski resorts or businesses in the Alps. They were desperate for the Brits to come back to the snow, as 42% of their ski economy is from the UK –such is the British peoples’ love of eating out, drinking wine, and hiring all their equipment locally!

After some vigorous lobbying from the tourist offices in the Alps direct to the Minister of Tourism in Paris, the borders were opened back up to Brits in the second week in January. Sadly, too late for the qualifying championships, but with a contract in place to run the Army Championships, all hands were put

to the proverbial pump to ensure those with previous known racing experience that had held that glimmer of hope could still get out there. There ensued a mad dash to assemble transport, funding, equipment and actual racers and it is safe to say until I was sitting in the race office registering people as they arrived in resort, I had no idea how many would be there. The 12 officials had got out there in a variety of transport within 48 hours of the ban being lifted, with (amazingly) only one testing positive on the pre-travel COVID test and having to stay home. As people flew into Geneva from all over the UK, others driving all the equipment out made random drive pasts to pick them up and onwards to Serre Chevalier. Similarly, the resort staff had sprung into action, preparing accommodation, pistes, netting, lift passes and race offices.

So, by the end of registration, we had 66 racers confirmed with another 2 on route (from the North of Scotland). This was an incredible feat, and morale was palpably high as everyone went off to get their ski legs back – for some the first time in 2 years. The slopes were empty and the weather was good. The morale

was not just sky high amongst the racers but also the French hosts and resort staff. After a lean 18 months, everywhere we went (in the valley and up the mountain) we were met like heroes, electronic signs around the resort heralded our return and welcomed us back. It was noticeably different without the AWSA protocol team and the sponsors around the place, but the coordination of such a diverse list of attendance at short notice across multiple dates in such an uncertain environment had sadly seen the event fall victim. We cannot wait to welcome them all back to be part of the Championships in 2023.

The Championships ran like clockwork – the only change being the addition of a seeding GS to account for the fact there had not been any qualifiers. For the first time in years, the speed events had to take place in the next valley over in Villeneuve on the higher Clot Gaultier piste due to the lack of time required to prepare the Luc Alphand which had not had its usual dump of snow that we enjoy in mid-January. We also decided to do more of our prizegiving after racing on the hill, negating the need for what would have been a non-COVID compliant mass gathering

we’ Season Overview

by Lt Col Bee Smith R SIGNALS. (Army Alpine Secretary).

in the presentation hall. A couple of sponsors, friends of the AWSA and the ASWA secretary had decided to combine their holiday skiing with the championships, so we had VIP presenters for the prizes. The final prizegiving was also done al fresco up the hill, using the wonderful terrace at the racers second home – Café Soleil, who provided more pizza and drink we could manage (and that is saying something!). Despite the hassle of carting several thousand pounds worth of silver, medals and glassware up the gondola, it was a fabulous end to a week that none of us could have imagined even a

month prior. It just goes to show what a determined bunch our soldiers are and when faced with almost insurmountable problems, the will to succeed persists. An Army team was selected to compete at the InterServices Snow Sports Championships in Meribel and the next day we waved them off, whilst everyone else left to return to the UK against an everincreasing flow of traffic arriving in the resort with those who had taken a little over 48 hours to mobilise and reclaim their winter skiing!

ZERO TO HERO

CHAIR

Brig Craig Hanson CBE

SECRETARY

Lt Col Bee Smith alpine@awsa.org.uk

As November 2021 came around, the Royal Engineers departed the UK and headed to the Stubai Glacier, Austria, for the annual Ex ALPINE SAPPER, a four-week alpine race camp. Unfortunately, before the first day on the slopes had ended, it was announced Austria would be going into lockdown due to the increase in Covid-19 cases. It was decided the exercise would be cancelled and we would all need to return to the UK within 48 hours. This felt like the longest drive back to Kinloss ever.

After a few miserable winter months in Kinloss and learning the rest of the race season would be cancelled due to increase of Covid-19 in France, hope for any skiing had all but gone; made even worse by the fact the previous season had been cancelled due to Covid-19 too.

However, on Tuesday 11 Jan 22, an email came through stating the Army Championship would be going ahead at a reduced capacity with the view to select a Men’s and Women’s team for the Inter-Services Snow Sports Championship (ISSSC) and it was due to start on 18 Jan. This meant we (RE Alpine) had less than a week to get eligible RE personnel together and deployed. Due to availability only

myself and one other from RE Alpine could attend. As Monday morning came, it was time to depart Kinloss and head for Serre Chevalier ( a mere 1300 miles!) Unfortunately, the other RE skier had tested positive for Covid-19 prior to departure, so I was to venture as the only Royal Engineer. Thankfully, another lone competitor, Louise Dodd from the Army Medical Services (AMS) needed a lift, so we teamed up and we arranged to meet up on route.

After an epic journey, which took a couple of days due to driver’s hours restrictions and on-route PCR testing we arrived an Serre Chevalier at lunchtime on Wednesday, having missed out on the free ski day (much needed after 2 years break!) meaning we were straight into the first race on the Thursday.

However, despite the lack of training over the previous two years, I managed to pull off some of my best racing, avoiding crashing, which I usually frequently did (well - apart from on the 2nd run of the Seeding race before the first gate, that is!).

I was fortunate enough to finish 3rd place in Giant Slalom and Downhill, and 4th place in Slalom and Super Giant-Slalom. Resulting in 3rd place Overall. Not forgetting BEST ROYAL ENGINEER at the Army Championships 2022! More importantly, this resulted in me being selected for the Army team to race at ISSSC in Meribel, and be awarded a Red Jumper, which had been a dream and goal I had set myself when I first started racing in 2013/14, so I was over-joyed at my achievement.

Unfortunately, my good racing didn’t continue through to the ISSSC as I had hoped, but I was able to finish 6th in Giant Slalom, 9th in Slalom, 10th in Super Giant Slalom, 10th in Super-combined, and 15th in Downhill. Resulting in 9th Overall, and 2nd best newcomer.

Despite the season getting off to a bad start, and things not looking great for a few months, it turned out to be my best season to date, achieving my long-term goal. I now can’t wait for the 2022/2023 season and fight for my place in the Army team.

by Cpl Luke Dugard 39 Engr Regt (Corps Captain of RE Alpine Team and member of the Army Alpine Men’s’ Team)

EX LION’S ENCOUNTER

By Lt Lauren Bailey RHA - The Army Ladies’ Pre-Season Training Camp, October 2022

The ski season kicked off early this year for the Army Ladies’ Team who travelled to SnowWorld, Landgraaf, to receive technical race training. 11 racers from across the British Army took part in an intense week of training which provided excellent preparation for the upcoming season and will hopefully set the team up for success at the Inter-Services.

Having missed both Corps and Divisional Championships last year due to COVID-19, the team were not as prepared for the Inter-Services as they should have been. To ensure the team were in the best place possible for this season’s Inter-Services, we were delighted to welcome the coaching of Lynn Mill, an experienced instructor and coach who represented Great Britain on the International race circuit starting at a young age and is now an examiner on the BASI instructor courses. WO2 John McLelland, the Army Team Manager, and Cpl Adam Coulson, the Army Ski Tech, provided a wealth of knowledge and support to assist the team with the best preparation for the upcoming season. Their combined expertise and myriad of skill brought out the best in every racer.

The team wrapped up warm for their first day of training in the -5 degrees SnowWorld, a drastic contrast from the warm early October weather outside. The first day was dedicated to understanding how to do a proper warm-up over the first few runs, incorporating pressure and agility, and adjusting to different rhythms and speeds. The second day Lynn wanted to ensure we focussed on both body and ski management; thinking about posture, balance, movement, edging, pressure, and rotation – all vital to being a good racer. Gates were introduced on day three, and the importance of pole planting was familiarised. Stubbies were used as a stepping stone to slalom, for racers to become familiar with a course. Slalom is the most technical of all alpine skiing

disciplines with many combination gates and ‘trick’ gates. Day 4 saw the transition to a full slalom course, with combination gates being introduced to courses. Day 5 involved more slalom practice, with everyone receiving specific feedback and personalised coaching. To polish off the week, a short course was set for a head-to-head relay. This brought out the competitive side of the racers and was a fun way to end the week.

All racers improved their technical skiing dramatically over the week and we are hoping that this training becomes a recurring event. The Army Ladies Team have taken away a huge amount from the training and are grateful for all the support and guidance they received from Lynn, John, and Adam.

From the Infantry Championships

By Capt Tom Windsor-Clive COLDM GDS

How lucky and fortunate the Infantry Alpine committee, team and all those involved in Exercise FROSTED BLADE were. The work that went into the ever-changing COVID-19 ski season was immense but the results and outcome for those that persisted was immeasurable. The determination enabled 250 Infanteers the chance to have a challenging, yet enjoyable time in the fantastic resort of Val d’Isere.

The quality that was produced from the Infantry Championships led to a team of 12 conquering the Army Ski Championships, producing the corps with the most representation on the Army team for the Inter Services Ski Championships ever. The Infantry could not have completed its most successful season ever without the support of all the Regiments that released soldiers and officers to take part, the long-lasting relationship with the sponsors, the resort and the fantastic coaches.

If the readers can remember back to the zenith of COVID-19, it would have seemed like a crazed dream that we would manage to get a full season skiing. On almost a weekly basis, the direction changed which meant that all the thrusting platoon

commanders who were organizing the Regimental teams had to produce a different version to their RAOs and Commanding Officers. Thankfully, the Infantry Committee supported all, working through their doubts and issues. This was only enabled due to the very strong bonds that we have with our partners in Val d’Isere. With close to 40 years of partnership, the accommodation and coaching providers knew that we would honour our requests which enabled all 250 infanteers the chance to experience the most special of resorts. The number of changes between the Initial and the Final Planning Conferences was vast. Most of the Team Captains had changed, along with the team size and shape. Somehow, the planning was passed from person to person without too much detail being missed. Unlike the last season where a certain team managed to book accommodation in a completely different valley…! Driving into the correct valley of Val d’Isere with the crisp December sun highlighted how all the to-ing and fro-ing was worth it.

Talk about a shock to the system; hearing a different language, seeing beautiful mountains, feeling the crisp

Championships to the Army Team

that was held only meant that more snowballs were being thrown at an Infantry team as it went to collects its winnings. The Esprit de Corps came striding to the front as all skiers skied for the team rather than themselves. This humble decision reaped rewards when the infantry placed first, second and third overall in the overall team Alpine Combination. The results at the 2022 Army Championships were not made that season, but from all the effort from the preceding years (with a little bit of luck thrown in!!). The success was further highlighted when four infanteers (a fifth missing out by milliseconds) were selected to represent the Army at the Inter Service Championships.

cold mountain air, tasting the local cuisine, smelling the clean mountain surroundings was a treat from what felt like a COVID-19 ridden London. The chance that the Army had given us to come back to the spectacular Val d’Isere was a treat for all involved. Seeing 250 infanteers remember, or more impressively learn to ski was a sight to behold – think a mixture of Bambi on ice crossed with a fish out of water. However, the eagerness with which everyone went head on into the challenge was commendable. It highlighted how far out of the comfort zone everyone was and showed the benefit of the sport. Not only were all the soldiers happy to be slipping and sliding around, but all the coaches and partners were happy to see us.

For us, trying to work out where our edges were on the skis we had the huge variety of slopes in Val d’Isere to practice, culminating in a well-run race week. The chance to compete in races from slalom to downhill set the conditions for the Infantry team on their path to Army stardom.

Only the Army Championships in the friendly Serre Chevalier would show if the Infantry Alpine team would manage to achieve their goal of winning a few medals. The benefits of having a ‘Corps’ Championships were quick to bear fruit. For the first time in living memory, an infanteer, yes, an infanteer, was on the podium of the slalom race. This staggering result was the start of the downpour. Every race

Off the back of the success at the Army Championships the members of the Infantry went into the Inter Service Championships on a buoyant wave. This then permeated across to the others in the men’s and women’s teams, driving each to try and beat the other Services. The results came through in the Men’s team, winning every event. Having four infanteers in the squad bore fruit when numerous different Infantry units on Adventurous Training saw the team at Meribel. Being able to showcase what can be achieved highlighted to those learning to ski the fun, the challenge, and the adventure that one can have. This has already brought in support from different Commanding Officers who, having seen the final aspect are keen to let their soldiers take part.

The Alpine Infantry Ski Team:

Capt T Windsor-Clive COLDM GDS (Infantry Capt and Army Team), Capt J Voigt LANCS (Army Team Capt), Capt S Ward WELSH GDS, Capt H Cowie SCOTS (Army Team), Capt G Bromley-Martin IRISH GDS, Capt T Haines-Henderson WELSH GDS, Lt J Phillips WELSH GDS, Lt J Serdet RIFLES (Army Team), Sgt R Smith RIFLES, Cpl J Oldham LANCS, Cpl O Lewis (RIFLES), Kgn W Hart LANCS

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EXPERIENCES COMPARED

By Lt Josh Serdet RIFLES, who had competed as a junior before joining the Army

I was lucky enough as a child to do an extensive amount of alpine ski racing (a privilege normally reserved for Alps-based Europeans) due to my father’s love for it and a total lack of ability in any sports you would expect a British child to play. I first skied when I was just five years old and took part in my first race when I was eight, I continued to compete in national events until at age eleven. I earned a spot on the GB Children’s team and raced internationally for three years before retiring at age fourteen. Here, I try to compare my experiences racing as a child and those more recent, racing for the Infantry and the Army.

The races at both Army’s and Inter Services were a noticeable step up from any of my previous racing experience. The courses and slopes were more physically demanding from the increase in length, and considerably more technically challenging, with the Stade in Meribel being particularly difficult. I believe I talk for all the competitors when I say the leg burn after only the first run of the Inter Services’ Giant Slalom was not to be taken lightly. Racing down full-length FIS courses was an excellent, new experience for me and a welcome challenge to overcome.

Having retired at a reasonably young age, I had never competed in Downhill before, arguably the most exciting discipline, as you must be sixteen to do it. I will be the first to admit that abating the nerves didn’t get easier with subsequent runs. Even with practice, the idea of throwing yourself down a hill as fast as you possibly can on skis over two meters in length is still a daunting one. The Downhill, for me, epitomises why Alpine Skiing is so important to the Army – it enables our people to experience dealing with genuine fear, something that typical military training lacks but is a constant factor on operations.

The main difference, however, was the focus on team racing. Alpine Skiing for me had always been a largely individual endeavour but the team aspect added another level of complexity to an already complicated sport. The more tactical elements led to some interesting and effective planning sessions, with the Army team being managed excellently by Capt Jonny Voigt and the Army Team Manager, WO2 John McClelland leading to another decisive victory for the Army Men’s team. Props must also go to Cpl ‘Swiss’ Hayden Grand R SIGNALS for his commitment to team

success when he hiked up almost half the Stade after missing a gate in the slalom to ensure the team could get a finish.

Both Army’s and Inter Services were extremely professional events, that mirrored and even improved on many of the international races I competed in as a youth. Thanks must go to all those involved in the organisation and of course to the sponsors for such an enjoyable few weeks. It was an amazing opportunity to relive some of my previous sporting achievements and I can only hope to be continually involved in years to come.

44 YEARS IN ARMY ALPINE

By the ‘fastest man on the hill’ – Geordie ‘Fast Lad’ Dryden (ex QOH) and Army Team Assistant Manager until 2022

After 44yrs of Army Alpine Skiing I stepped down as an Army official before my ski legs gave into old age and I became unable to bend down and put on my ski boots. Here starts the story of Geordie Dryden; the most capped Army Alpine racer to date. 18 caps and 2 combined services caps for racing in Australia. If you didn’t know I still hold the fastest speed in the downhill which was 138.9kmph through the finish on the Luc Alphand!

My skiing career started when I was 17 when I joined the Army and become a Queens Own Hussar, I was posted to Detmold in Germany where most of the Army had their Ex SNOW QUEEN lodges in Bavaria and that’s where I was taught to ski over a period of 2 weeks. I quickly picked it up and my first skiing report was classed as ‘very good’ which was forwarded to the regimental ski team captain and I was put straight into the ski team the following season and never looked back.

My first year on the ski team saw me go to Alpbach in Austria in a unit soft top Landrover Defender with no heating, full to the top with ski equipment, personal kit, food rations and lots of cans of fuel. We weren’t allowed to take military vehicles into other countries, so we painted our Landrovers some magnificent colours, but the border forces knew it was a military Landrover and stopped us every time in search of fuel and tea bags. We had fuel coupons and with only 2 petrol stations that took them we had to drive back to Germany every weekend to fill up which was a 2hr round trip. Now, teams have hired vehicles and fuel cards; absolutely luxury compared to the olden days.

When I arrived at Alpbach It was like going back in time; a little village at the top of the valley with a few shops and restaurants scattered around the mountain. The ski lifts were single chairs and T bars which took ages to get to the top. Today, Alpbach is massive resort with lots of lifts,

restaurants, hotels and shops. I was introduced to my ski coach Peter Margrieter who was as mean as they come when it came to skiing but the best in his field and as coaches go the best I’ve ever had. He was the man who created Geordie ‘Fast Lad’ Dryden; coaching me to many individual and team competition wins with the best ski preparation and helping me prepare for racing mentally and beyond what you thought were your limits. We always took him to the Army Championships and he was the first to get excited when you won individual and team races, getting the schnapps and Austrian speck out. You knew you did well when he passed you some schnapps and speck and you knew you’d skied badly when you got nothing, and he wouldn’t speak to you - what a legend!

Back then, there was no piste preparation or piste machines to groom and compress snow making a perfect piste for racing. We had to walk down courses stamping the snow to compact it for next day’s skiing and when we reached the bottom we turned around and walked all the way back to the top then slid down again smoothing the slope. We had to hope that it froze overnight giving a flat piste to train/ race on next day, but it wasn’t long before massive ruts appeared. Most of my training was on soft snow and very rutty. The gate poles were made of bamboo, so we went around them trying not to hit them. If you hit a pole it snapped into pieces or catapulted into the course causing a crash.

Over the years poles changed from bamboo to solid plastic which really hurt when you hit them causing cuts, bruising and breaks to your body and always smashing your goggles and ski poles. Nowadays the poles have a spring action and when hit return to the upright position.

My first Army Championship was eye opening as on the first day we were told we had to go hunting for pine needles. I was baffled by this but when getting up the mountain the next day for the race I understood what they were needed for. If it was bad light the pine needles were scattered where the bumps and drops were in the piste. Now dye is used to mark out the areas of concern especially around the big jumps to help you see where the lip of the jump is. What a transformation over the years. Technology has changed the way we prepare courses for racing; health and safety are the major concerns. If you look at course prep today, you’d be concerned at what was accepted in those early years. There was no padding or nets either to protect racers from crashing into rocks, trees or other immovable objects. We now rely on A and B

netting to protect us. In the early years netting was not good and many fallers crashed into objects that weren’t covered properly as the netting was not high enough or doubled up on difficult areas causing bad injuries. Crash pads were introduced to the Army championships in the 90s which have proved to be fantastic at stopping the racer and not causing damage to themselves.

Timing and calculations are the most important part to the racer. When I started racing 2 Signallers with a reel of cable walked down the side of the course laying the line from the start to finish. Imagine asking the Royal Signals team now to lay the line at the Army’s!

Kit and equipment have also come on leaps and bounds: my ski lengths were DH 225cm, Giant Slalom

210cm, Slalom 200cm. Now I would be on DH 218cm, Giant Slalom 185cm, and Slalom 165cm. I had 3 waxes to work with: yellow, red and white. I had to mix them to get the correct wax for the race, but it was so hard to get it right as snow conditions change overnight. My edges were done by a handheld file, nothing else was available but now there are machines to get special cuts and angles. Now there are excellent unified race (cat) suits and outer suits which are very warm and comfortable with body armour and guards for face, arms and backs. When I first started it was ski trousers for everything with jumper, and helmets were only worn for downhill.

Racers don’t realise how much work goes into getting the race lists and seeding out when the championship starts. When I first started, seeding

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was not out until next day and results the day after that as it took so long to calculate. The technology we had then is nothing to what we have now. We didn’t know who’d won the Army championships when different teams won different races as it took so long to sort out race points. Most of the time we found out on the prize giving night as the race points had to be double checked as races were so close. It was the same for selecting the Army Teams for the Inter-Services; we didn’t know if we were in the team as it wasn’t announced until after the prize giving.

I’ve skied for the Army in most European countries against international teams such as Italy, America, Russia, Australia, France and Switzerland. I also skied in Australia on 2 occasions against the Australian Defence Force with the Combined Services Ski Team. I was sent to Argentina to race against their forces which was an eye opener as I was permanently escorted around by 2 of their soldiers. I had no qualms telling their General at the ski championships he was wrong in doing the seeding for the race which

put our Argentinian escort shivering in his boots. The General listened to what I said and changed the rule. But it didn’t help me as when next day I skied the best Giant Slalom I’d ever done but on looking at the score board my time was not there. I was told there was a problem retrieving it. The results were announced on the evening prize giving and 1st and 2nd were Argentinian, 3rd French, and I was 4th so I wouldn’t get a trophy or the honour of standing on the podium. We just laughed, I knew that would happen and our escorts agreed. The General approached me and told me I’d caused him a problem as no one has ever questioned his decision before! He had the last laugh on that one!

AWSA 50 at Saint Moritz was a special year for me as we were Army Team champions and I was Army Individual Champion. It was combined with the Inter Services Championship, so I was racing both for my regimental team and the Army team. It was a very complicated race and the result at the Inters was a win for the Army and I received the Individual Champion Trophy from the Duke of Kent.

I can say the skiing over the last 44 years has changed massively and for the good as I think safety has been thought out in every discipline from the pistes to the equipment we use for racing. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved over the last 44yrs from racers to officials and organisers, which has made my time as a racer, official and manager a great experience, but also some of the hardest and most testing times of my Army Career.

BOBSLEIGH

Emerging out of the pandemic at the speed of ice (circa 120 kph)!

The Army Bobsleigh Team hosted EX RACING ICE 1, the annual novice driver training camp in Igls, Austria, in February 2022.

After a long awaited two years away from the ice, over twenty soldiers and officers landed in Innsbruck to throw themselves in at the deep end (with no brakes) and benefit from a life changing experience in a sport like no other. Participants ranged from complete novices to those who claimed to have once watched Cool Runnings, to Olympic athletes fresh from Beijing!

Staying at the default home of the Army ice sports, the Walzl Gasthaus, with its newly renovated rooftop pool and an uninterrupted view over the Austrian Alps, sliders gathered to psych themselves up for the following day. On day 1, sliders would meet coaches, be fitted and allocated to a bobsleigh, learn the basics of the track, and await their first green light. Beginning the sliding career at Damen (ladies luge) Start, lower down the track than the main Bob Start entering at turn five of

fourteen; this is still not for the feint hearted. After the first day of training, novices then sit in, take hold of the D-Rings to steer and a coach pushes them off the ramp. Within seconds good old gravity accelerates the bob and sliders to around 100 kph with no hope of using the brakes until through the finish line. Those fortunate enough to arrive the right way up then dug the brake forks into the ice slowing them to an exhilarant stop where they celebrated their victory over the Olympic Bob Track… now to do it all over again!

Once all new drivers were safe and competent from Damen, they progressed to the top of the track, the same start block as International and Olympic Teams start from. In true squaddie fashion, the challenge was well and truly accepted! From zero to hero, all teams went from sit, to crawl, to walk, to begging to run at full speed off the top and race the other Services by the final day. Reaching speeds of up to 120 kph, strong G-Force turns, no seatbelts, no brakes, and the threat of one wrong move chewing them up and spitting them out upside down, all teams proved exceptional. A true test of discipline,

courage, teamwork, fighting spirit, and not only respect for each other, but a newfound respect for an element out of their control: the ice. After each day, bruised and still coming down from an adrenaline rush, sliders assembled in the rooftop pool to watch the sun go down over the Alps before enjoying a threecourse dinner together, sharing videos and ‘bloopers’ from each day and making new friends for life. By the end of the two weeks, sliders were blood thirsty for a race off with the RAF and Navy, the Army team now armed with the arrival of their secret weapon, LCpl Nick Gleeson OLY of the Parachute Regiment and professional athlete. The RAF also had team Jamaica’s Sgt Shan Stephens, arguably the coolest team on the ice.

From total novice to Olympic heroes, all sliders were equal on the ice and in the great spirit of ice sports, staged a remarkable race with the RAF taking gold, Navy Silver and Army Bronze. With heart, and amazing memories, the Army held their heads high and set their sights to the 22/23 season in Lillehammer, Norway, with some even getting so hooked they trailled for the Great Britain Team.

Icy-Highway to The Danger Zone

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CHAIR

Lt Col Gillian Cooke

SECRETARY Capt Sarah Smith bobsleigh@awsa.org.uk

INTERNATIONAL SLIDING

The Army Bobsleigh Team has always held their own on the worlds stage, with a good number of our athletes going on to achieve great things in international sport.

Our newest superstar, LCpl Nick Gleeson, has now represented Great Britain at two Winter Olympics as a brakeman for the 2 and 4-Man Bobsleigh. Nick started at the grass roots novice camp in 2016 as a wide-eyed young paratrooper with no fear and bags of potential… he was quickly scouted to attend a driver training camp with the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association (BBSA) in Lake Placid, New York. Fast forward six years and he is now training as a bobsleigh pilot and preparing for his third Olympics.

Latecomers to the international scene, selected in summer 22 was Lt Ali Kay, Int Corps and Cpl Gareth Griffin AAC, who have both since had their debut on the Europa Cup circuit, Ali in Oberhof, Germany, and Gareth in Lillehammer, Norway.

Also selected for the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) this season was Pte Tom Harris RIFLES.

The Army Bobsleigh Association support all the athletes to believe in their own abilities and dream big; we are proud to see our men and women given the opportunity to represent their country in more ways than one and gain life changing experiences around the world.

greased Lightning

It is not all slide and no maintenance unfortunately ...

To be the well-oiled machine that we are, the fleet of ice rockets need repair and servicing after every season. We are fortunate enough to have dedicated and selfless staff and coaches within the ABA, who give up their summer to get the fleet ice ready, in time for the novice training camp. The team also host BBQ days where athletes are invited and encouraged to get hands on and learn to maintain the bobs, skills which will assist them at future training and race events. Coach Cpl Ivan Londal PARA and Head Coach Sean Olsson OLY did an amazing job of repair and re-spray in summer 2022, refurbishing dozens of sleds for the 22/23 season. The Team are ever grateful for their hard work and commitment. The fleet is ready for Exercise RACING ICE 1 in Jan 23! Are you?

LCpl Nick Gleeson (Left – Brakeman, Beijing Winter Olympics)

CRESTA

By Major Thomas Wythe

CAPTAIN Maj Thomas Wythe cresta@awsa.org.uk

The Cresta Run is a natural ice track, built from scratch, by hand every year with snow which is then iced. It starts in St Moritz and winds its way down a narrow valley to what was the village of Cresta, but which now forms part of Celerina. It is approximately 3/4 mile (1,212m) in length with a drop of 514 feet (157m). The gradient varies from 1 in 2.8 to 1 in 8.7. There are two starting points, Top and Junction. Riders from Junction begin opposite the Clubhouse, about one-third down the Run from Top. Only experienced riders can qualify to ride from Top. The Run has 10 corners, all of which are named. The most infamous is Shuttlecock. If a rider is out of control, they risk going out at Shuttlecock. Top riders can expect to reach speeds of around 75 mph.

With the lack of any Interservices riding taking place in 2021 due to COVID it was wonderful to start the season with such energy and determination picking up where we all left off at the end of the 2020 season. The Run this season was proving as challenging as ever, each rider having to learn the nuances only a hand-built track offers. Which was the best line through Shuttlecock? Was there a nasty transition from Brabazon to Thoma? All questions that could be talked about ad infinitum and only answered by tackling them head on, quite literally.

The Army was fortunate in running its beginners and novice week before Top opens, allowing significantly

more riding time for the 21 new riders who were keen to test their mettle against the ice. Under the careful guidance and mentoring of Capt George Packe-Drury-Lowe (16 Med Regt), the seasons stand in Captain in the absence of Maj Tom Wythe (Royal Lancers), the beginners showed promise and were able to improve their times convincingly across the board. Capt Scott Pryor (Kings Royal Hussars) was also on hand to deliver further valuable lessons to those who were able to stay in. Maj Paul Chishick (Life Guards) also over saw the first week, providing valuable oversight and guidance.

The Army junction Championships took place on 14 Jan 22, comprising three races held within a regular practice day, The Novice Cup, The Junction Open and the 17th/21st Lancers Inter-Regimental Cup. Competition was tight with many riders putting in their best times, the ice being in great condition, which sadly caught out over half of the field and saw them soar out at shuttlecock and land safely in the straw. Due to the nature of some of race rules this didn’t necessarily see the initial fallers out of the competition. The Novice Cup and 17th/21st Lancers Cup require all participants to complete three courses successfully, whereas The Junction Open takes the fastest two courses, allowing people to find their limits or have a fall. When the dust and snow had settled, the results were collated announcing the winners of the 17th/21st

Lancers Cup as Capt Pryor and Capt Vickers for the Army Air Corps. The Novice Cup was taken by Ct Wallace (Blues and Royals), followed closely by Tpr Whittaker (Life Guards) and third place held by 2Lt Robathan (Coldm Gds). The Junction Open race was won by Ct Wallace, in second place Capt Vickers and in third place Tpr Whittaker. Following the identification of potential amongst the beginners the offer to stay out for some further training and the opportunity to qualify for Top was extended to a number of individuals, rewarding their hard work and diligence.

With the completion of the Army Junction races focus switched to Top and preparing for the Interservices race. Looking left and right at the RAF and Royal Navy it was clear that race day was going to be a very close affair, the RAF putting in ever faster times and mastering their new fleet of toboggans, of particular note Flight Sergeant Steve Barnes showed huge potential, achieving times in only his second year of riding that some strive to reach after a decade. The Royal Navy were holding their own, Surgeon Commander Dave Potter being reliably speedy and giving everyone somebody to chase. The Army was looking in good shape, with many riders achieving their personal bests in the days leading up to the main event.

Prior to the Interservices race day the Army holds the Top Championship for The Scots Guards

CHAIR

Brig Nigel Best

Cup, this season falling on 01 Feb 22. Doubling as a form of selection for the Army team the race is usually held over three courses, however due to larger numbers of Top riders and high temperatures this was limited to two courses.

Competition for the highly coveted cup was as strong as ever, along with a spot on the Army team up for grabs the Army Top riders put in some great rides. The unexpected arrival of Maj Tom Wythe, granted special permission from ICSC(L) to take part in the Interservices race, changed the dynamic slightly, the RAF and Royal Navy were now looking a little more concerned at the competition. With the results confirmed, Maj Wythe won the Scots Guards Cup, Capt Packe-Drury-Lowe was a close second and Maj Jack Barnes (Blues and Royals) came in third. LCpl Will Fairbairn (Blues and Royals) and LCpl Che Burnett (Life Guards) both earned their places on the Army team and with it their highly sought after Army winter sports jumpers. Capt Pryor also made the cut, completing the team sheet for the Interservices race.

As race day approached all eyes were on the weather, after weeks of clear, cold conditions snow clouds were forming in the Engadine valley. The day before and race day were forecast to receive a heavy blanket of snow. Snow has a huge impact on riding, the faster riders are slowed down and the less experienced feel more confident to push themselves and are likely to achieve a proportionally faster time, this narrows the margins considerably. Clean riding and the ability to follow the cleared lines are crucial to be able to set any form of pace, riding in the edges just puts one in deeper snow and saps all speed. The snow continued to fall at a heavy pace throughout the morning, arguably the worst riding conditions that anyone had seen in many years. Despite the snow Maj Wythe posted a 55.42s on his first ride, this proved to be the fastest ride of the day by over a second and secured the Auty speed cup, his subsequent rides were both over 2.5s slower but still proved to be the fastest rides of each course, testament to the heavy snow, these also secured the Lord Trenchard trophy. As the courses progressed the

standings for the Prince Philip cup were too close to call, clarification of the rules for the race had been agreed between the Service Captains some time before, taking the fastest four times from each Service per course. Capt Pryor sadly fell on the first course suffering a dislocated shoulder, thankfully Samedan hospital are well practised in dealing with all Cresta related injuries and were able to patch him up in quick time. Once all the riding was finished and the calculations were finalised the results were announced. The Army won the Prince Philip Cup, the Royal Navy were second by less than a second and the RAF were third, just over a second behind them, it was the closest result with all three Services finishing within 2.6s of each other. Maj Wythe had a clean sweep for the third consecutive season, with the Army holding on to the Prince Philip Cup. Flight Sergeant Barnes was second in the individual race, posting some brilliant times and ending a hugely successful second season. Capt Packe-Drury-Lowe was third, with only 0.58 seconds separating him from Flight Sergeant Barnes of

the three course race, bringing home more silver for the Army.

The Harland (Top Handicap) was won by Lt Homer RN with an aggregate time of 163.42. First in for the Army was scratch man and Top record holder, Capt The Lord Wrottesley, Grenadier Guards (Retd) came forth. LCpl McNally (Blues and Royals) made a welcome return to the Run following a broken ankle on day one of the season in 2020, proving his determination by posting some respectable times in a top race. Ct Wallace couldn’t quite resist the straw of Shuttlecock, taking a tumble in the second course.

The Services’ Silver Spoon (Junction Handicap) was won by Surg Lt Owen-Smith RN. The highest placing

Army rider was the scratch man 2Lt Villiers-Smith (Grenadier Guards) coming fourth.

The Services Ladies’ Race was won by Sqn Ldr Maddie Smith RAF with a 9 second lead over her fellow riders. 2Lt Evans (39 Signal Regiment) was second and Lt McDermott (Royal Lancers) was fifth. Sadly, the Army Ladies were third overall, however the standings were very close, less than six seconds between the three Services.

Army Cresta has had a fantastic season and is in as strong a position as it ever has been. The 2023 season has the potential to be every bit as exciting. This season would not have

got off the ground or been able to run without the hard work and dedication from Maj Paul Chishick, and Capts George Packe-Drury-Lowe and Scott Pryor, I am hugely indebted to all their hard work both prior to and during the season. The AWSA continue to champion Army Cresta, without which the opportunity to participate would not be viable, as such thank you for your continued support. As a wonderful end note Capt Packe-Drury-Lowe won his club colours, finishing seventh in the Morgan. He is the sixth member of the Army to win his colours.

Festival of Ice 2022

Luge Report from Igls, Innsbruck, Austria February/March 2022

After what seems to be an eternity Army luge hit the ice with a Tri Service twist, the Royal Navy decided to bring their biggest team to date with a total of eight sliders, closely followed by the Royal Air Force with seven. Due to unforeseen circumstances and the two years of missed novice training, we could only field three athletes, one Novice Capt Matt Weatherley and two of our seasoned sliders Sgt Dani Scott and Cpl Steve Webb.

However, the valuable training based around all three services working together was most appreciated and beneficial to personnel getting back onto the ice. The cobwebs were truly blown away.

At the end of the second week we all decided that a non-championship race would be a good idea and the way ahead. We had two categories Novice and Seniors, although not the official UKAFWSA race the rivalry was still present.

In the seniors race we took the first two spots on the podium. The winner Sgt Dani Scott followed by Cpl Steve Webb, both Army, so all in all a good two weeks even though the Army was rather short on participants.

CHAIR Capt Lucy N Wyatt

SECRETARY

WO2 Graham Holmes luge@awsa.org.uk

N O R D I C

International competitor summary 2021/22

During 2021/22 winter season, five soldiers represented the British Army and Great Britain in an array of international biathlon competitions across the world. Facing a second season with COVID restrictions, they were determined to not let the pandemic hinder races they had spent the summer preparing for.

Throughout the summer, Sgt Amanda Lightfoot (AGC) and Bdr Vincent Fountain (RA) trained abroad in Germany with the GB Elite Squad making the most of the Alps and biathlon facilities. Ruhpolding is a fantastic location where they were able to train with other national teams, especially the Japanese, who they became very close friends with.

Meanwhile in the U.K., Lt Marcus Webb (RHA), LBdr Ciara Mitchell

(RA) and Pte Alfie Sprake (RLC) were training with the Junior and National Development squads at a variety of locations. Until COVID-19 allowed them to train abroad, they made the most of the facilities they could get their hands on which included rifle ranges in Bicester, mountain bike trails in south Wales and cycling circuits for roller skiing.

In August 2021, all the athletes were presented with a unique opportunity to compete at the Summer Biathlon World Championships in Nove Mesto Na Morave, Czech Republic. This was the first international races for Bdr Mitchell and Lt Webb who threw themselves at the opportunity and gained that vital experience of racing at the top level before starting the season.

The winter season commenced in Sweden where Sgt Lightfoot attended races at the World Cup, Lt Webb, Bdr Fountain and LBdr Mitchell at the IBU Cup and Pte Sprake on the Junior circuit. There was regular travel across Europe and even to Canada and the U.S.A where Pte Sprake attended the Junior and Youth World Championships in Soldier Hollow.

We say goodbye to Sgt Lightfoot and Bdr Fountain who have hung up their GB Team race suits for the final time, however we are confident in saying we will see them again at the Army championships in 2023 racing for their Regimental teams.

Soldiers who would like to know more about skiing for the Army or at international level should email nordic@awsa.org.uk

CHAIR Brig Lee Daley

SECRETARY Maj Andrew Miller nordic@awsa.org.uk

SKELETON BOBSLEIGH

SECRETARY

WO2 Nicky Moxon

skeleton@awsa.org.uk

The Race begins with a Running push start from the top of the track; a fast start is crucial for success. Races are often won or lost at this moment. Pace, explosive power, strength, and skill to move the sled as quickly as possible and jump on is vital. The clock does not start until they reach the 15m point.

Once the athlete has leapt onto the sled, focus and fast reflexes are vital as is having the discipline to maintain the most aerodynamic position possible. It does not take long for the athletes to reach great speeds and to feel the pressure of up to 5Gs. This is whilst their head and feet hang over the sled; on some high-speed corners their helmet can touch and scrape the ice due to the excessive speed and pressure. This itself can obscure the athlete’s vision and they will have to feel their way around the corners until there is a reduction in pressure. That is not an easy task and many track walks and analysis of track notes developed with their coach is a must for everyone taking part ... regardless of experience ... so that they are able to memorise every aspect of the track and their slide down.

Whilst steering the sled it is imperative that athletes only move when needing to steer, otherwise any slight movement can result in the change of airflow past them causing the sled to unintentionally move. This will have a dramatic effect on the success of the run and could increase their down time and finish position, especially on race day. To steer they shift body weight, applying pressure using knees and shoulders on a corner of the sled. Reaching out and toe tapping can also alter the direction of the sled and take the athlete in the direction they wish to turn.

Every soldier that attends the novice camps will be on a gradual learning curve for steering and running starts; it’s easy to imagine what would happen if too much was done to soon so listening to the Coach is indeed must!

There is not much personal kit required for Skeleton. Specialist helmets are provided as they need to be strong to withstand impact but also light enough for high-speed corners when experiencing high G’s.

Skeleton spikes are worn and are unique, differing from the normal running spikes and contain about 300 needle-like projections as athletes need to be able to grip the ice at the start so that they can push the sled with max power and pace.

Both Helmet and spikes are provided for Army personnel attending any Ex RACING ICE exercises. The racing suit has been developed to be the most aerodynamic and is a tailored fit with no loose material to create drag. Season 22/23 will see the Return of both a Separate Novice camp Ex RACING ICE 1 to be held in Igls, Austria, and Army Championships Ex RACING ICE 2 to be held in Lillehammer, Norway. To attend the Army Championships, you must complete a Novice camp to qualify.

The closing event of the Season is the Inter Service Ice Sports Championships competing against the other two services will also be held in Lillehammer, Norway which is another great track!

Interested?

Do you have fast reaction times, physical and mental strength to push yourself into the unknown, and importantly a sense of humour if all doesn’t go to plan?

Contact WO2 Nicky Moxon at skeleton@awsa.org,uk or visit www.awsa.org.uk

WO2 Nicky Moxon

CHAIR Maj Tim DE Haskell

21/22 Season with a twist!

Skeleton bobsleigh is available to both Regular and Reservist Soldiers and has increased in popularity year after year.

A typical Ice sports season consists of Ex RACING ICE 1 (Novice), Ex RACING ICE 2 (Army Ice Sports Championships) and Ex RACING ICE 3 – Army team training ready for the Inter service Ice Sports Championships, however due to covid season 20/21 did not happen, making this season 21/22 ... the return to ice for all three ice sports.

Due to the frequently changing Covid regulations, various obstacles and uncertainty that remained the Exercise planned was a blend of both Novices, Junior and senior athletes training together over a two-week

period alongside the RAF and NAVY With the final week being an adapted Interservice Ice Championships.

Returning to Igls, Austria, and the fantastic hotel accommodation at the Waltz (noting a new addition of a spa area - swimming pool, sauna on the Roof) allowed Regular and Reserve Soldiers the opportunity to be back on ice or take part for the first time. It is a test of nerves, excitement, and adrenaline and that never goes away…. Racing down an Olympic track whilst travelling at 100 Kph is not for the fainthearted. The numbers were lower than in previous years due to reasons mentioned earlier but this did not affect the quality and professionalism whilst continuing to promote the ‘sport for all’ ethos.

Novices – Day 1

The Novices were coached by SSgt Mel Vernon RSIGS [pictured below] who has a vast amount of experience and reassured everyone that they were in safe hands. On viewing the track for the first time it can be daunting and it is no ordinary feeling stood next to a curve when an athlete speeds past headfirst. Many thoughts and questions fill the air such as is that what im doing? or how would you slow down? Answer is simply yes and no you have no brakes!

Next step is the introduction of equipment, that was carefully driven

from the UK and back by WO2 Maria Cullimore, RLC and WO1 Leigh Smith, AAC. Meeting your sled that will be taking you down the track can bring on many feelings, more nerves and excitement. Prior to arriving in Austria, a kit list is issued. The amount of padding everyone brings can be plentiful, it is a requirement though this can be taken to the extreme and some take on the appearance of a walking roll mat! Too much padding can be a hinderance until told ‘less is more’ and shown the key areas that require protection.

Once the equipment has been issued, essential instruction is taught and the track walk is done, day one on the ice awaits.

The breakfast prior to the first day on ice is always the quietest. Emotions are running high, some are anxious, which you should be, some are more confident and excited. All of which can be difficult to manage, whether this is the first or 20th week on ice.

Day one all the Novices quickly learn how to control their emotions and fear under the careful eye of the Coach. Everyone displays masses of courage and a will to succeed. Runs (Laufs) are completed on the first

day whilst they become acquainted with their sled and at the end of the day another track walk is completed with a focus on body positioning so that on day two some do not represent a wind block and remain as aerodynamic as possible.

Top of the Track!

With day one completed, in the forthcoming days once a novice is ready, they will proceed to start from the top of the track and join the more experienced Junior and Senior sliders. Reality hits and the settled nerves can flare up. Starting from the top introduces new challenges and

faster speeds down the lower end of the track. It requires patience and perseverance, and everyone had this in abundance.

No matter what experience a slider has the preparation before a run is vital. A warmup is needed whether this is done in a group or as an individual, it is vital now that the speed increases with a range of 95115 KPH accompanied by an increase in G’s that can be felt. Some are quiet and prefer to sit alone and go through their track notes whilst some like to be lively and excited. What’s important is that it works for the Slider so that can give it their all and remain focused.

During week two more junior and senior sliders joined the training and truly enjoyed being back on the ice. For some it had it been as long as four years away which can be lifetime in this sport as it is not readily available to take part in in the UK other than the push track, off season training, push training can take place but that does not compare to the actual Run on a track whether that be training or during a Championship the team ethos and comradery of being part of such a unique sport has been missed by many.

First Time Sliding!

2Lt Elizabeth Willis - 144 (Parachute) Medical Squadron

In February 2022 I arrived at Innsbruck airport to begin a 2-week training session for skeleton Bobsleigh with the British Army. Having never being on ice before I did not know what to expect, I was apprehensive, nervous but excited to see what the two weeks would have in store.

The first week of Skeleton training began at the Olympia Eiskanal in Innsbruck with three novice sliders and two others with experience. Training was progressive so that on our first day we started with a track walk from start two, before going back up and getting ready to slide for the first time! The first slide was exhilarating and a bit of a blur which left me giggling for about 10 minutes after! At the end of the first week, we graduated to the top of the track which was quite daunting, but our slides had started to get smoother and faster.

In week two we had some experienced junior and senior sliders join us in preparation for the race at the end of the week competing against both the RAF and Navy teams. This was really helpful as it was a new experience and gave me the confidence to 100% commit to the slide and running start.

On competition day the teams were split into novice, junior and senior, this meant I was the only female novice representing the army team. My first race went very well, and I got my fastest down time of the two weeks, and although my second was slightly bumpier I still finished 5th overall. It was a brilliant experience, with the two weeks giving me the opportunity to take part in such an adrenaline driven sport and one I hope to repeat in the next Racing Ice this coming season!

Assuring Future Capability

We are proud to support Army Winter Sports. QinetiQ’s world-class capabilities and facilities across land, sea, air, space and cyber, enable current and next-generation defence capability to perform at its best for all our front line forces.

EX SNOWJACK 2022

It’s been an unprecedented and tough couple of years since our last report from the slopes but somehow, just, we made it! For a time it looked like the dreaded Covid would de-rail all our efforts to run Ex SNOWJACK – the Army Championships – but perseverance, a bit of luck and defintely above all the sheer willpower of our riders to shred the slopes again allowed us to get back on it in style. As always!

For SNOWJACK 22 we returned once to the snug little town of Flachau, nestled in the heart of the Ski Amade area near Salzburg, Austria. This is one of the most popular resorts in Austria primarily for the scale of its piste area and the quality of its snowpark – a key requirement for any true winter sports addict. Despite the combined hurdles and pitfalls of varying Covid restrictions, funding limitations and general uncertainty, a total of 63 riders made it to the starting gate, including 24 Novices, ready for two weeks of training, racing competition and the fun of being on snow again.

The competition format repeated the hugely successful 2020 event: two concurrent competitions of Open riders and Novices – the latter must be in their first season on snow. Both sets of riders compete in the same 3 disciplines of Parallel Giant Slalom, BoarderCross and Slopestyle albeit with a few modifications to account for higher or lower skills levels as appropriate, and some key skills training provided for the Novices to accelerate their learning curve.

The Open event started with trying to sort the experienced riders into some semblance of order through the seeding race before head-tohead racing in a knock-out format for the Parallel Giant Slalom. This is a hugely competitive event as two riders descend on parallel courses

striving to get through each round. The course was superbly set; fast, with tricky gate and rhythm changes at just the right point… which is equally the worst point for the rider if they failed to navigate it correctly! The Novice competition imitated this format and it was immediately clear that despite only having a week or two on snow there was some real raw talent evident across the new riders, something that bodes well for future Army Team selections.

After a few days training brought in to allow riders to really shake off two years away from the hill, everything got real with the Boardercross: 4 riders at a time, down a course barely wide enough for a Piste-Basher, with rollers, jumps and banked turns, all at max speed – what could possibly go wrong??? Fortunately we’re pleased to report that no major injuries were sustained, although the collection of bumps and bruises to both body and ego were numerous and spectacular in many cases. In a noticeable improvement from last year, the Novice event was run on the top half of the Open boardercross course, giving them a real taste of the challenge this discipline has to offer and hopefully wetting appetites to return in 2023 to take on the full course.

Last, but most definitely not least, was the much anticipated SlopeStyle competition, purposely designed to push riders to the edge of, if not just a bit beyond, their comfort zone. For the Open riders, some extra tuition from two Olympic-level riders brought in to support the event certainly didn’t hurt (although some of the landings probably did). Additional coaching and training provided to the Novices really helped them push their boundaries as well. No report is complete without a little bit of a results bulletin, so

congratulations must go to the following:

Open riders:

1st: LCpl Jason Cole RLC; 2nd: SSgt Dave Grant REME; 3rd: Cpl Luke Manktelow REME.

Open Unit Competition:

1st: 17 Port & Maritime Regt RLC; 2nd: 3 Battalion REME; 3rd: 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery.

Open Corps Competition:

1st: Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers ; 2nd: Royal Logistic Corps; 3rd: Royal Signals.

Novice Riders:

1st: Sig Edward Pasquini RSignals; 2nd: LCpl James Camilleri RSignals; 3rd: Gnr Lewis Carter RA.

Novice Unit Competition:

1st: 3 Rifles; 2nd: 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery; 3rd: 15 Signals Regt.

Novice Corps Competition:

1st: Royal Artillery; 2nd: Royal Logistic Corps.

CHAIR

Brig Karl Harris

SECRETARY Maj Mark Greensmith snowboard@awsa.org.uk

Army Snowboarding Championships 2022

inter services

By

After what seemed an eternity of Covid restrictions preventing winter sports activity, the Army snowboard team were over the moon to hear that the anticipated return of the 70th Inter services snowsports competition, held in the French ski resort of Meribel, was given the green light; ‘We were back in!’

The event saw more than 200 service personnel comprising of the Army, Navy and RAF compete within the winter sports disciplines of Alpine, Snowboarding and Telemark skiing. With many competitors and sponsors eager to return to the snow after a long break, the event was made extra special by the Royal visit from the Countess of Wessex who officially declared the Inter services snow sports championships open at the spectacular opening ceremony held within the Meribel centre.

The event took place over a period of five days within the French ski resort and was organised by the UK Armed Forces Winter Sports Association. The running of the event was able to take place due to the generous donations from the sponsors and the assistance of the ESF.

Focusing on snowboarding within the programme, the competition kicked off with the eagerly anticipated SBX, boardercross competition. The event provided arguably one of the most challenging sculpted Boardercross courses for many years. With a challenging Wu-Tang commencing from the start gate, the course consisted of sharp twists and turns which pushed all competitors to the limits of their riding experience. With a final heat of fierce competitors consisting of all services, podium places went to Army riders Major Jess Drew taking top spot and, on

IT’S GREAT TO BE BACK - RETURN OF THE INTER SERVICES SNOWBOARDING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Army Rider: LCpl Izzie Howe

her debut season, Gunner Jordan Buckley in third. In the men’s event Army riders Staff Sergeant Dale Gallagher and Colour Sergeant Sven Benevides took second and third place respectively.

Next within the programme, competitors pushed themselves to the limit within the eagerly anticipated Parallel Giant Night Slalom. The event consists of riders navigating a course on the icy flood lit piste, crossing the line to the awaiting crowed within the Meribel centre. The event was a raucous affair and supporters cheered on the riders as they raced their opponents to the bottom of the course. A close competition saw Royal Navy’s Abby Aldridge victorious in the women’s event while the men’s saw an unprecedented tie for first place between Army riders, Colour Sergeant Sven Benevides and Sergeant David Grant.

The week’s championships ended with the final event, Slopestyle. Slopestyle, known fondly as the “blue ribbon event” allows riders the opportunity to display their artistic flare and wow the spectators with their spins, grabs and flips off of various obstacles and jumps within the course. The men’s event saw RAF Paddy Morris take top spot with challengers Chris Harrington, Royal Navy, in second and Colour Sergeant Sven Benevides in third; who tops off one of his best seasons, with podiums in all 3 disciplines.

The women’s event saw a closely fought battle with the RAF and Claire Collins coming out on top for Gold, Navy’s Abby Aldridge taking silver and Army’s Lance Corporal Isabel Howe, who has been knocking at the door for a medal for a while now, grabs her fist ISSSC podium, and takes home Bronze.

The overall competition was a resounding success with the Army men’s team dominating across all 3 events to take home the team overall Gold, which is no mean feat! Army female riders also finishing with a strong team podium place.

TELEMARK

By Lt Col DG Howells RE

The 2021/22 season proved that the development and training model adopted by the Army Telemark Team in 2018 enabled success in winning the ISSSC 22 Telemark Championship, the first time since 2016. It has demonstrated that the selection and training of personnel despite Covid related challenges was relatively easy. There is still more to do!

Firstly, the Army Telemark Team will continue to establish female participation in the discipline by identifying Army personnel with the potential to compete at Service level and then develop them alongside male athletes. Secondly, build on our successes during this season as the other Services look to advance their training models. We anticipate a highly competitive landscape in during the 2022/23 period of competition.

The Army results for this season’s races were a significant improvement on the previous year with the following discipline prizes being awarded to the Service:

• Individual Telemark Combination: 1st Capt Stef Hurst RLC & 2nd SSgt Johnson RE

• Best Newcomer: Capt Alex Leslie RE

• GS Team: 1st RN & 2nd Army

• Classic Team: Army

• Sprint Team: Army

• Team Combination: Army

In addition, there were Army podium finishes in all the individual races:

• GS: Gold (Capt Hurst RLC) & Bronze (SSgt Johnson RE)

• Classic: Gold (Capt Hurst RLC) & Silver (SSgt Johnson RE)

• Sprint: Gold (Capt Hurst RLC) & Silver (SSgt Johnson RE)

Despite some noticeable absences from the team due to other commitments to Defence, the team performed to the highest standard. Much of this was due to our coach (Mr Phil Lau) as he used the lessons learnt from 2019/20 to focus pre-training on those areas of development identified (including jump practice, start-gate drills and skate training) and technical advice during

the ISSSC. Two Army development skiers attended the ISSSC (Capt Alex Leslie RE and 2Lt Nigel Foskett PWRR). Both performed extremely well (Capt Leslie being awarded the Best Newcomer award), whilst Capt Tom Acland and Sgt Phil Sharp continued to gain experience and pushed themselves up the rankings.

Our thanks go to those that enabled Army Telemark this year including the Army Telemark Committee, UKAFWSA Committee, AWSA, ASCB and the sponsors of the ISSSC. Unfortunately due to a compressed race programme not all the sponsored races took place but their support is always welcome.

We now look to next season. The future looks extremely positive as we look to reset, develop female Army Telemark racing and continue to build our squad depth. We are tracking a number of individuals that had competed in the discipline at National level and have now joined the Army, and will hopefully be eligible, and available, to compete for the Service in 2023.

Army Telemark Team discussing tactics ahead of the Tele Sprint event

Alex ‘Lez’ Leslie: As a newcomer to the ISSSC telemark competition and having not had the opportunity to train during the 20/21 season due to the pandemic, it was imperative a comprehensive training programme was delivered prior to the competition phase. Equally, an opportunity to develop in short order to match the expected standard was required so to ease the nerves and ensure each race was carried out in a safe manner. We were lucky enough to receive coaching from none other than Phillipe Lau, a French World Cup champion; not only an incredible opportunity but this expert level of teaching ensured the foundations for success were laid, and laid on thick. Once the competition phase began in Meribel, it was clear the standard had increased dramatically compared to other competitions. The set up was identical to the World Cup series; from the course layout to the athlete support, team interactions and even the live TV feed, the experience was unbelievable and a massive incentive to perform as well as you could (nobody wants to bail on a live TV screen!). Overall, as a developer, it was an experience of a lifetime and outmatched my personal expectation therefore I would highly recommend anyone interested in Telemarking to give it a go and hunt down a spot on the ISSSC.

Capt

Elements of the Telemark Team including the team coach, Phil Lau, alongside the Tele Sprint race sponsor, and President of the UKAFWSA, following the team winning the race team event and two individual podium places

CHAIR Brig Matt J Birch SECRETARY Maj Richard Wright telemark@awsa.org.uk