On-board: Capt Anna Russell takes to the slopes. Photo by LS Yuri Ramsey
New talent: Sgt Damon Lynch crossblocks the last gate on the slalom course at the Army championships. Photo by Maj Murray Nelson

THE Australian Army Alpine Snowsports Association (AAASA) took advantage of this year’s abundant snow cover to conduct its annual championships in the first week of August.

Event organiser and AAASA President Maj Murray Nelson said that while the snow cover was good, the weather that the 48 competitors trained and raced in was far from ideal.

“The commitment the competitors showed to the long training sessions and the races was impressive, and the race results showed many of them were really pushing themselves,” he said.

Skiing and snowboarding races were conducted by the Mt Buller race department and included a high standard giant slalom (GS) and a challenging slalom race.

An early start for the GS race meant the Army competitors had the mountain to themselves and a freshly groomed race course, resulting in almost perfect race conditions.

Some new faces kept the top racers on their toes and provided a few surprises. Newcomer Sgt Rob Deans, 26 Tpt Sqn, meant previous winners Capts Dean Munsie and Mike Atkinson had to post some quick runs in both the slalom and GS races.

Sgt Damon Lynch and Cfn Marty Webster were also challenged by another newcomer Lt Graeme Brown.

The female skiers raced the same courses and posted some respectable times.

Capt Claire Baker dominated both racers with Capt Min Driver steadily closing the gap, and Pte Mel Aitken making significant improvements over last year’s results.

The snow conditions also meant the boarders could hold a Boarder Cross race which proved popular with both competitors and spectators.

In a knock-out style event Cpl Conan Sinko eliminated Capt Anna Russell and Sig Pete Nicholls to take home the trophy. In the GS race Lt Court managed to win narrowly from Cpl Troy Radbone and Cfn John Kelly.

Full coverage of the ADF Snow sports championships will appear in the next edition of Army.

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