By SQNLDR Robert Schouten
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Corporal
Scott Malpass on the run during the championships.
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THE
Air Force team, in one of the most physically and mentally challenging
competitions of “running” on skis and shooting under
duress, narrowly won the National Interservice Cross Country and
Biathlon Ski Championship (Exercise Coolshot).
Although a close second to Army in the men’s track events,
team’s biathlon and men’s patrol race, convincing wins
by the women’s track team in all events put Air Force ahead
under the current points system to win the overall event trophy.
Held under the auspices of the RAAF Alpine Sports Association
(RASA) and the ADF Nordic and Biathlon Association (ADFNBA) an
Air Force team of 20 arrived at Mt Hotham to the best snow conditions
in many years.
A mixed bag of weather again saw days of high winds, intermittent
snow showers and brilliant sunshine, making for interesting progress
for the beginners.
Two selection races including a 10/5km cross-country race for
men and women respectively and a biathlon sprint teams event of
7.5km were run with pleasing results.
Flight Sergeant Scott Donders of No. 21 Squadron won the men’s
distance race and Corporal Peter Brennan of No. 32 Squadron won
the biathlon race, with Corporal Sonia Crockett of RAAF Base Amberley
winning both the women’s distance and biathlon races. Leading
Aircraftman Peter Grove from Canberra put in an excellent performance
to win the novice trophy.
Patron of ADFNBA Deputy Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Chris
Spence was again able to attend the RASA presentation ceremony
and the annual general meeting of the ADFNBA.
AVM Spence put his previous skiing skills to good use over the
weekend, participating in both disciplines of downhill and cross-country/biathlon
skiing. His comments to the AGM centered on the way ahead and
development of biathlon skiing in the ADF as the emerging military
sport for the future.
With the likelihood of deteriorating weather, the possibility
of rain and snow and difficulty in setting appropriate tracks,
the national competition began in earnest on the Monday morning.
Racing over the next four days with a reshuffle of events saw
competition in a 15/7.5km freestyle style race, a 10/5km classical
race, a teams’ 10/7.5km biathlon sprint, men’s 4 x 5km
relay, men’s 10km biathlon patrol (four skiers carrying 5kg
packs skiing circuits of 2.5km, 5km and 2.5km interspersed with
shooting bouts) and women’s 3 x 2.5km relay.
This year the women trialled a patrol race with the view to introducing
this event next season.
The Air Force men, with only three top skiers, a few intermediates
and the rest beginners, put up a credible performance to finish
reasonably well behind Army.
An excellent performance by the women’s team comprising Corporals
Sonia Crockett and Marion Woger, Flight Lieutenants Tina Willmett
and Satya Tanner and Flying Officer Mel Robinson retained the
women’s track trophy and provided the impetus to take out
the interservice title.
The Air Force team would like to thank the Mt Hotham Alpine Resorts
Commission, Static Engineering, Toyota and Defcredit for excellent
support.
Equally important is the contribution made by a bunch of dedicated
biathletes who went overseas in January this year to compete in
the British (National, Interservice and Army) Nordic Ski Championships
in Rupholding Germany.
Included in the group were Squadron Leader Mark Betts and FLTLT
Tina Willmett. Tina, together with partner Barry Hopkins, have
been travelling for years helping newcomers to the sport gain
valuable experience during these overseas tours.
Corporal Scott Malpass earned a place in the Australian squad
chosen to compete in the European Cup circuit, after several years
of competition in the Australian Biathlon Association events.
