The most outstanding competitor in the championship was OCdt Lee Gibson who blitzed the field to win both the mens’ slalom and giant slalom events to become mens’ champion.

OCdt Lee Gibson, ADFA, takes on a gate during slalom at Mt Hotham, Victoria.

Maj Marc Plummer, DMO, cruises past the finish line during the Men's Giant Slalom.

Photos provided by Maj John Liston, TC-A

By Maj John Liston

WITH the aim of selecting a national team to represent the Army at the ADF inter-service championships, 35 soldiers from five states and territories took part in the recent Army Alpine Skiing Championships at Mt Hotham.

Skiers and snowboarders began the week with intensive coaching and race preparation sessions in good snow conditions.

The training was designed to develop participants’ skiing and boarding techniques and introduce some to race training for the first time.

The president of the Army Alpine Skiing Association, Maj Christopher Harrison, said it had been a successful championships.

“Historically this time of year has proved to be the best time to hold the championships due to both snow base and recent snow-falls,” he said.

While mid-Winter is best for climatic conditions, the operational tempo of many units has precluded some competitive Army skiers and boarders from participating.

Despite this the Army team is well prepared to tackle the Navy and Air Force at the ADF Championships and all who participated have further developed their individual skills at the service level to build-up for future competition.

The ADF Alpine Snow Sports Association has presented a submission to the ADF Sports Council and is awaiting their decision on whether the sport will be officially recognised by the ADF.

The most outstanding competitor in the championship was OCdt Lee Gibson, who blitzed the field to win both the men’s slalom and giant slalom events and become the overall men’s champion.

The third-year ADFA cadet took time out from his studies in civil engineering to compete in the competition.

Although the 20-year-old is a former Victorian inter-schools competitor and has been skiing since he was eight, the blue ribbon has always eluded him.

“Skiing is my life and it’s great to finally have something to show for my efforts,” he said.
Maj Harrison thanked the sponsors of the Army Championships for their generosity over the past year.

“KBR, a Defence contractor involved in capability development, and Logistic Solutions Australasia, which provides support to Defence in project management, were both vital in helping the Army conduct the event.”

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