THE Air Force has again convincingly won the National Interservice Cross-Country and Biathlon Ski Championships at Mt Hotham, winning all events except the men's relay race.

An Air Force team of 26 participated in the competition, regarded as one of the most physically and mentally challenging events on skis.

The championships, conducted under the auspices of the RAAF Alpine Sports Association (RASA) and the ADF Nordic and Biathlon Association (ADFNBA), were held in excellent snow conditions during the first two weeks of August.

Air Force got their campaign off to a flying start, recording pleasing results in the two selection races - a 10km and 5km cross-country race for men and women and a biathlon sprint teams event of 7.5km - held on Thursday, August 1, and Friday, August 2. Corporal Scott Malpass, of RAAF Base Williams, won both the men's distance and biathlon races and Corporal Marion Woger, a Reservist with No. 21 Squadron, won the women's distance and biathlon races.

The national competition began in earnest on the morning of Monday, August 5. Racing over the next four days included a 15km and 7.5km "classical" race, a 10km and 5km freestyle race, a teams 10km and 7.5km biathlon sprint, men's and women's 5km relays and the men's 10km Biathlon Patrol (four skiers carrying 5kg packs skiing circuits of 2.5km, 5km and 2.5km interspersed with shooting bouts).

The Air Force team, comprising a number of experienced hands such as Warrant Officer Hans Foehn and Sergeant Chalky Thomas - boasting about 45 years of active racing between them - and eight beginners proved to have the depth in the interservice competition to finish first overall ahead of Army and Navy.

Credible performances by Air Force beginners Flight Sergeant Scott Donders, Corporal Marion Woger, Corporal Scott Malpass and Corporal Peter Brennan pulled the Air Force team to the top.

Flight Sergeant Tony Habor won the intermediate prize for overall performance in his second year on skis. Flight Lieutenant Mark Betts and Sergeant Mick Calleja, meantime, jointly won the novice trophy.