Sweet ski sensations
Outnumbered but not outdone - Navy impresses at Hotham

Back L-R: Kerryn Rim, CAPT David Michael, LCDR Ian Chapman, LCDR Robyn Boyd, LCDR Garry Chapman, LEUT Cindy Jenkins, CMDR Martin Linsley, CAPT Brian Reid (ret.); Front L-R: LCDR Wendy Hughes, LEUT Nic Davy, ABBM Mick Evans, LEUT Adrian Kremer.

Photo courtesy L`EUT Kremer

By LEUT Adrian Kremer

Navy may have been outnumbered but it was not to be outdone in the recent annual ADF Nordic Skiing and Biathlon competition at Mt Hotham.

Despite having a largely novice and much smaller team than the other Services, Navy racked up some impressive results in all events.

Most notably, the men’s relay team (CMDR Martin Linsley, LCDR Garry Lewis, LEUT Nic Davy and LEUT Adrian Kremer) keel-hauled the competition with a convincing win in the 4x5km relay event.

Other notable performances included a second place to LCDR Wendy Hughes in the Women’s 5km Classical and fourth place to LCDR Garry Lewis in the Men’s 10km Classical.

The Biathlon events were a new experience for many members of the team, combining the endurance of nordic skiing with the concentration and focus required for target shooting with a .22 calibre rifle.

ABBM Michael Evans was in his element, his .50 calibre target training put to use in achieving a good grouping on the biathlon range. During the week leading up to the event, intensive training was led by the anecdote-toting nordic skiing godfather Brian Reid, backed up by dynamo ex-Olympian Kerryn Rim and LEUT Peter Talbot.

Those in the team who were more accustomed to downhill skiing took some time adjusting to the lack of chairlifts for the uphill bits, and the learning curve was as steep as the gruelling ascents.

There was plenty of time for R and R at the lodge however, where the team was kept well nourished by the team chef and DJ, ABCK Cale James. The week was not without its injury dramas: LEUT Cindy Jenkins impressively soldiered on after suffering from a sprained ankle during the all-terrain endurance trek between the ski-waxing room and the lodge.

LCDR Robyn Boyd was the waxing room guru, while LEUT Damien Munchenberg was in charge of psyching- out the opposition with his addiction to lycra body-suits. Awards for the competition went to LCDR Garry Lewis (Champion Male and Champion Shot), LCDR Wendy Hughes (Champion Female), LEUT Nic Davy (Brian Reid Coach’s Award) and LEUT Adrian Kremer (Best Novice). Honourable mention went to LCDR Ian Chapman for conspicuous service in Glu Wein production.

The team is recruiting volunteers for next year’s competition. Anyone looking for a challenging experience and a fun break from the routine of work is encouraged to get involved.

The training and competition weeks are open to all levels from novice to expert and will be held from July 30 to August11, 2006. As an additional incentive, the ADF will be sending a team to Germany at the end of 2006 to compete in the UK inter-service championships.

For more details or expressions of interest, contact LCDR Wendy Hughes (wendy.hughes@defence.gov.au) or any member of this year’s team..

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