Cool shots kings at Mt Buller
Volume 11, No. 51, September 07, 2006
By Lt-Col Greg Tolcher

Ice man: Pte Mark Raymond shows his winning form in the ADF 10km Nordic Track Freestyle race at Mt Hotham. Photo by SCdt Dan Milford

ARMY reclaimed the ADF Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Championship trophy at Victoria’s Mt Hotham after defeating determined Air Force and Navy teams.

The Army Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Team won the Men’s Biathlon Trophy, the Men’s Track Trophy and the Men’s Biathlon Patrol Trophy, and while the women finished second to the Air Force, the margin was very fine and their efforts were equally commendable.

In what Mt Hotham officials considered the worst snow conditions since 1973, distance events were relocated to upper Mt Hotham while in the Biathlon range area, participants from all three Services demonstrated their persistence and dedication to the sport by shovelling and bagging snow to replace melting snow around the range firing point.

One of the most exciting and dynamic events was the Relay Race held at Davenport in the Mt Hotham Resort.

Under the skilled guidance of the Track Technical Delegate Mr Bob Cranage a three leaf clover-patterned course was laid out while Mr Greg O’Donohue set the classical tracks using one of the Mt Hotham Resort snow groomers amid enthusiastic and appreciative cheering from all competitors.

The relay race required competitors to ski the course twice in two separate legs, breaking briefly while fellow team members raced their leg of the course.

Spectators were well positioned in the centre of the clover leaf to view the race and to cheer for their respective Service peers.

Lt-Col Greg Tolcher, Chief of Race, ADF Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Association, said the Army Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Association would like to thank unit COs for releasing their unit members to represent the Army in this demanding sport.

Individual performance and encouragement awards were presented to the following Biathletes:Top Female Biathlete, Spr Emily Dutton, 1 Topo Svy Sqn 6ESR; Top Male Biathlete, Pte Mark Raymond, 3RAR; Top Novice Female Biathlete, Maj Fleur Keogh, SCMA; Top Novice Male Biathlete, Pte Travis McInnes, 22 Const Regt.