RAAF came from behind to pip RAN at the post in this year's National inter-Services Championships; however, the British proved once again too strong in the tussle to win the International Trophy.

In the inter-Service downhill competition the RAN men started with gusto, catching both the Army and RAAF teams off guard with excellent times in the Giant Slalom.

However, in the more technically difficult Slalom event, the RAAF team put in a solid performance to clinch the title and trophy for a record 11th time, six ahead of their nearest rival, RAN who have won the national event five times.

This mix proved to be just right, with back-to-back inter-Service wins ensuring the trophy stays in the hands of the RAAF for a further 12 months.

The men's downhill team comprised Justin Mangan, Danny Boole, Bob Hawke, Peter Murphy and Glen Campbell.

The star of the championships and overall individual winner was Flight Lieutenant Justin Murphy presently posted to Army Training Centre, Bandiana.

The National inter-Service event was contested by the three Australian Services for men and women, with representative teams from the British Services (who travelled from the UK specifically for these championships) and the Australian Disabled Skiing Federation.

In the inter-Service Snowboarding Competition, the RAAF dominated yet again - yet to lose the snowboarding trophy at the national inter-Service level. The team for 2001 included Ryan Billings, Murray Gladwin, Andrew McCallum, Gus McKergow, Tim Seager, Mel Smyth, and Steve Medaris.

The RAAF made a clean sweep winning both the teams trophies for the Giant Slalom and the Duel Slalom well ahead of the RAN and Army teams. The outright winner in all events was Steve Medaris.

The Combined Services British Team arrived in Australia to participate in the Australian National inter-Services Championships from 12 to 16 August.

In preparation for the big event, the British skiers participated in the RAAF Championships. Their overall standard was far superior to the RAAF representatives with several of our top guns unable to attend due to Service commitments this year.

The top British skier was Stephen Reece, (in Australia for Exercise Long Look) taking out line honours in both the Slalom and Giant Slalom races, and thereby overall outright winner. The attending Brits were Stephen Reece, Charlie Hewitt, David Cooper, Jamie Mitchell, Lars Brazier, and Mike Waring.

Canberra, Edinburgh and Williamtown shared the honours at the RAAF 2001 Downhill and Snowboarding competition in preparation for the National inter-Service Championships.

These races were conducted on Sun Run in near blizzard conditions for both days of the races. The results were: Team Edinburgh - Greg Mathams, David Cox, Amool Prasad and Andrew Grace; and individual winners - Gregory Mathams, Edinburgh and Karen Reid, Canberra.

In the advanced alpine competition the standard of course was excellent with the events run on the internationally approved courses at Snake Gully. The results were: Team Canberra - Danny Boole, Bob Hawke, David Joy and Graeme Lee; and individual winners - Danny Boole, Canberra and Penny Pennell, Air Headquarters.

Intermediate snowboarders competed in the intermediate events immediately following the downhill skiers. The results were: Team Edinburgh - Adrian Borlace, Meline Smyth, Andre Kratzer and Kevin Hall; and individual winners - Adrian Borlace, and Meline Smyth, both from Edinburgh.

In the advanced competition the standard was excellent with the events run on the Internationally approved courses at Snake Gully. The results were: Team Williamtown - Steve Medaris, Adam Watson and Andrew McCallum; and individual winner - Steve Medaris, Williamtown.

Our Sponsors this year were DEFCREDIT, METCALF Industries (Manufacturers of GSE) and COBB & Co Buses, Melbourne. Mount Hotham assisted with the conduct of the competition and with the Arlberg Apartments.