Achtung Navy

SHARPSHOOTERS: ADF members competing at the British Army’s National Nordic and Biathlon Skiing Championships in Germany.

By SQNLDR Bob Schouten

LCDR Wendy Hughes from Defence Force Recruiting WA and LCDR Garry Lewis from Maritime Headquarters have returned from the British Army’s National Nordic and Biathlon Skiing Championships in Germany.

The pair who are a part of the ADF cross-country skiing and biathlon team finished the competition with high placings in most events.

LTCOL Bridgford scored best in the shooting during the mens 20km individual race dropping only one shot out of 20 during the four circuits, winning the Toyota Best Shot Trophy.

The team competed against teams from British Army Regiments, RAF, German Military, Belgiam Military and a contingent of British Olympic development squad personnel.

The team of four men, five women, manager and coach spent the lead-up to the competition training in Austria with participation in one of the world long distance ski races, the Pustertaler Ski marathon, 43km in length.

The team then moved to the small town of Ruhpolding in Bavaria where it settled in for the two weeks of intense competition in both nordic skiing and biathlon disciplines.

This tour was the first for an official ADF team and the majority of members had not competed in this high level of competition before.

“The organisation was very efficient and competition extremely high as the British military play for keeps to win some very prestigious awards and trophies,” team manager SQNLDR Schouten said.

Nordic and biathlon skiing has its origins in military competitions held in Scandinavia more than four centuries ago.

The sport also has a direct relationship to military skills and character building as the competitor is required to ski many kilometres and shoot accurately under high levels of physical and mental stress.

The ADF Nordic and Biathlon Association has extended an invitation to British and European teams to compete in the ADF’s next National Interservice Nordic and Biathlon Ski Championships at Mt Hotham, Victoria in August 2005.

Readers interested to learn more about Navy Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon, including registering their interest to attend inter Service Cross country skiing this year can contact LCDR Wendy Hughes at DFRC-WA (08) 9488 7100 or LCDR Garry Lewis at MHQ (02) 9359 4147.

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