Navy warms to Nordic event

By ABCSO(U) Katie van der Wiele

LEUT Robyn Boyd from HMAS Harman.

The recent Exercise Coolshot 2003 saw Navy compete in the Interservice Cross-Country and Biathlon Skiing Championships at Mt Hotham, Victoria.

Cross-country skiing and biathlon (which combines cross-country skiing with target shooting on a 50m range) involves a great deal of fitness, coordination and balance.

Coolshot’s first week contained plenty of laughs and fun as our instructor CAPT Brian Read taught novices and refreshed seasoned Navy biathletes on the basic cross country skiing techniques.

Days began at 6am when ‘super-coach’ Mr Peter Smyth took us for a 40-minute warm-up run in preparation for crosscountry ski instruction. The first morning had such a serene and peaceful tone to it. The snow-capped mountains in the fore and backgrounds were almost untouched.

It was the first time I had seen snow, let alone seen cross-country skis and my steep learning curve was made easy due to the excellent support provided by experienced Navy and ADF team members. After a comprehensive training week, the team participated in the Wangaratta Ski Club 10km race, followed by the Australian Sprint Championships.

We were then ready for Army, Air Force and Victorian Police in Coolshot’s second week. As competition week got under way, I found my ‘snow legs’ and loved the camaraderie experienced by skiers in the mountains.

And it was not only an interservice competition, for we also competed with some of Australia’s finest biathletes and cross-country skiers.

The inter-service competition was held over four days and included events for males and females skiing between five and 15 kilometres. One of the most exciting events was the biathlon.

For women this involved a 2.5km ski, shooting five rounds in the prone position, skiing 2.5km, firing another five rounds while standing before skiing another 2.5km to the finish. The men’s biathlon had each ski leg as 5kms. Navy finished third overall with 569 points from the nine races. RAAF (750 points) was the overall winner, just beating the Army (739 points).

Navy’s individual results were:

• Male Nordic Skiing champion – LCDR Garry Lewis
• Biathlon Male Champion – LCDR Garry Lewis
• Female Nordic Skiing champion – LEUT Rachel Thompson
• Biathlon Female Champion – LEUT Rachel Thompson
• Best Female Novice – ABCSO Katie van der Wiele
• Best Male Novice – ABATA Jason Storr
• Best Team Player – ABCSO Tim Baird

  The Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Association would like to acknowledge and thank the ADF Sports Council, RAN Central Canteens Board, RAN Ski Club, Tenix and HMA Ships Albatross, Harman, Kuttabul, Watson and Stirling for supporting this activity.
  
  If you are interested in trying cross country skiing and biathlon with Navy, please contact LCDR Garry Lewis at garry.lewis1@defence.gov.au or (02) 9337 0512. Harman. Navy warms to Nordic event.

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