BLIZZARD: CPOET Daryl Lett kicks up a storm as he finishes his run in the Long Giant Slalom.

Photo: ABPH Kade Rogers

By ABPH Kade Rogers

The blistering cold didn’t freeze the Navy’s hopes during the National Interservices Alpine Snowsports Championships at Mount Buller last week.

The Navy ski team, CPO Daryl Lett, LEUT Dan Crocker, LEUT Ian Napthali and LSATA Sean Leo ranked second overall in the long giant slalom alpine event, ahead of the RAAF and the Army women’s team.

LEUT Dan Crocker ranked fourth individually in the event, returning triumphantly after breaking his leg in last year’s competition. “All our concentration this year was on the long giant slalom alpine event, that’s where all the big points are,” team manager LCDR Adrian Pay said.

With an emphasis on developing the long giant slalom alpine team, the Navy looked set to put their competition on ice over the next few years.

“We’ve been ahead in snowboarding for years and we’ve lost it in the skiing.” LCDR Pay said.

Navy snowboarders ABATV Gary Danaher, ABATV Daniel McLean, ABATV Stewart Smith and ABMUSN Ken Ellis left the RAAF freezing in their wake on the first and second days, ranking second in the snowboarding event behind the Army team, yet the RAAF broke the ice on the third day pushing the Navy down to finish third overall.

ABATV Danaher ranked third overall individually ahead of CPL Tim Seager and Daniel Sharp from the RAAF team.

In the week leading up to the competition, competitors from all three ADF Services and the British combined Services underwent two gruelling three hour training sessions each day as well as individual interstate Service trials.

The early mornings and hard days were softened with various social functions, including an ’80s night, held at Mt. Buller village to allow the competitors to unwind during the competition, break the ice and get to know each other.

 

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