Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service

RAF SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS 10-17 JANUARY 2009

HINTERGLEMM – AUSTRIA

The RAF Ski and Snowboard Championships are held annually during January in a European Ski Resort. The Championships provide racing for skiers and boarders from beginner to expert. In addition, instruction is available from the Local Ski School – free to all beginners (Service Personnel only) and at a competitive price for all other standards. The Inter-Station Champions (Team event) and the RAF Male and Female Individual Champions are decided at the Championships, and the RAF Teams for the Inter-Services Championships are selected.

It was in the early hours of a cold frosty morning when 12 personnel from RCDM Birmingham departed the UK. Destination, the spectacular mountains of Hinterglemm, Austria, just a few minutes drive from the well known resort of Saalbach. The reason for this adventure training was to compete (in the loosest sense of the word) in the 2009 RAF Ski Championships. We had a mixed bunch of RAF and Army, and a wide variety of skill and experience. Representing the Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service were Flt Lt Amy Marsden, Flt Lt Dee Crane, Cpls Debbie Tavendale, Jenny Harrison, Nikki Mackay and Susie Smith. Representing RAF medics were Sgt Kerry Rush, and Cpls Kris Jackson and Emma Morton. Our Army contingent consisted of Capt Lyn Jordan, WO1 Nigel Grout and Cpl Danni Toole.

With the sun shining and clear blue skies we were split into our relevant groups early on the Sunday morning. With the majority of us being absolute beginners on skis or on boards, we hooked up with our instructors for the week and headed for the magnificent mountains – well the nursery slopes…

The next few days were a hive of activity, the novice boarders were collecting bruises, and the novice skiers were gliding down the slopes like pros’…well we were getting there! The cries of “I cant’ do it” to “I’m getting the hang of this” became more common. But throughout the week we inevitably lost several due to fractures, illness and general weakness. With people dropping like flies and numbers diminishing rapidly, I can proudly say that RCDM were there to the end with no serious injuries to be told. (Just bruised pride from too many tumbles, and errr, one broken ACL!) After our lessons were left to explore the mountains and practice our new found talents. With no green (novice) slopes on the resort, it was straight to the blue slopes with the occasional and very scary red! The evenings were filled with various social functions which were kindly organised by RAF Winter Sports Association, and as you can imagine these were quiet, uneventful nights and we were all tucked up in bed by 2300hrs!

The weather conditions throughout the week were perfect, and by the end of the week all boarders and skiers who were enrolled onto the beginners lessons were awarded their beginners proficiency. All non beginners had to race in the championships. It just so happened that all our proficient skiers were in fact from the Army! But well done to Capt Jordan, WO Grout and Cpl Dannie Toole who flew the flag for RCDM. No podium placements this time but beware next year as the up and coming boarders and skiers from this year will be more than ready to accept the challenge!

For those who have yet to experience Saalbach Hinterglemm, or indeed the Championships, you can anticipate typical Austrian hospitality and charm in a fantastic alpine setting. We certainly experienced this in the hotel, bars and overall resort. The accommodation exceeded expectations; RCDM went all inclusive at the Adler hotel, a modern apartment, where we enjoyed the wide range of theme buffets including drinks, as well as free use of the wellness facilities. The food and atmosphere was just what you needed after a long arduous day on the slopes. Tea and cake was a particular favourite to give you a well deserved boost prior to the evening activities. The Spa suite was very interesting, and it did not matter if you accidentally forgot your towel…as apparently you didn’t need one!! Beware of Europeans in the steam room….

The overall aims of the RAF Ski and Snowboard Championships are to encourage fitness, competitive spirit and moral courage as well as developing organisational and leadership skills amongst officers and NCOs. I believe was certainly achieved through this event and I would strongly encourage anyone to give it a try, whether you are an absolute beginner or expert. With over 200km of well prepared slopes, 55 lifts and a free bus service, it is certainly a great place to ski. You never know, you may find yourself being selected to represent the RAF at the Inter-Service Championships.

Personal thanks go to the Princess Mary’s Trust Fund who contributed to the cost of the trip for the nurses, the RAF Sports Lottery and the RAF Winter Sports Association for organising the event.