Iced magic conditions

By FLTLT Christine Bradley and Michael Weaver

Deputy Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Chris Spence (second from left) presents the intermediate snowboarding trophy to RAAF Base Amberley’s (L-R) Corporal Aaron Pyle, Flight Lieutenant Jason Dean (captain) and Flying Officer Mark Thompson. Photo by CAPT Bob Frank

ADF interservice results Team results: Skiers – 1 Navy, 2 Army Men, 3 Army Women, 4 RAAF Snowboarders – 1 RAAF, 2 Army, 3 Navy Individual results: Slalom Skiers – 1 SBLT Dan Crocker, Navy; 2 LCDR Brad Vizard, Navy; 3 CMDR Tony Partridge, Navy; 4 MAJ Chris Harrison, Army Men. Snow Boarder Cross – 1 PTE Lincon Quilliam, Army Men; 2 FLTLT Stuart Macrae, RAAF; LAC Tim Seager, RAAF. Giant Slalom 1 Skiers – 1 LCDR Brad Vizard, Navy; 2 SBLT Dan Crocker, Navy; 3 SMN Jeromy Northern, Navy; 4 CAPT Claire Baker, Army Women. Snowboarders – 1 PTE Lincon Quilliam, Army men; 2 Anna Russell, Army women; 3 LAC Tim Seager, RAAF; 4 SQNLDR Thurstan Williams, RAAF. Giant Slalom 2 Skiers – 1 LCDR Brad Vizard, Navy; 2 SBLT Dan Crocker, Navy; 3 LS Dustin Forke, Navy; 4 CAPT Claire Baker, Army Women. Snowboarders – 1 LAC Tim Seager, RAAF; 2 Lincon Quilliam, Army men; 3 Anna Russell, Army women.

SOME of the best snow conditions this season greeted skiers and snowboarders from around Australia from August 6-10 to contest the RAAF Alpine Sports Association (RASA) Championships at Mount Hotham.

A high operational tempo meant that many members had been working hard leading up to the competition, both at home and overseas. However, the RASA committee and a band of helpers still managed to stage a hugely successful event that looks set to continue.

The Intermediate Giant Slalom (GS) was first event for both skiers and snowboarders, resulting in the narrowest of margins separating the first six snowboarders and first three skiers.

The intermediate skiers were immediately up the hill again for their slalom event.

For the intermediate skiers, the showdown was between Flight Lieutenant Wayne Edwards (Wagga) and Squadron Leader Gary Presneill (Canberra), both first-time RASA competitors.

SQNLDR Presneill managed to pip his rival by a very small 0.17 seconds on the two slalom runs.

However, it wasn’t enough to make up the margin from the GS and FLTLT Edwards took out the men’s intermediate skiing trophy from SQNLDR Presneill and Flight Lieutenant David Jackson. FLTLT Edwards went on to say he would be back.

In the men’s intermediate snowboarding championship it was the other Edwards in first-time competitor and self-confessed veteran, Wing Commander Graham Edwards from Williamtown, who overcame the crowd.

Flight Lieutenant Jason Dean was a close second from Leading Aircraftman Aaron Pyle.

Flying Officer Anneka Deaton from Edinburgh had the competition sewn up and took home the women’s intermediate snowboarding championship. In a similarly tight fought competition, Flight Lieutenant Christine Bradley from Williamtown claimed the women’s advanced snowboarding trophy.

The intermediate snowboarders from Amberley threw off a long-time taboo to win the intermediate snowboarding teams competition from Williamtown. The team was Corporal Aaron Pyle, Flight Lieutenant Jason Dean and Flying Officer Mark Thompson.

The advanced boarders and skiers, who had been honing their techniques over the previous three days, were then given their chance to prove themselves in the giant slalom.

It was the snowboarding favourite, Corporal Steve Medaris (Tindal), who took a commanding early lead, while Leading Aircraftman Ben Cromarty (Edinburgh) showed the way for the skiers, although a few surprise disqualifications, including that of Warrant Officer Robert Hawke who posted the quickest slalom run, left the competition open.

During a cold morning on the slalom course, LAC Cromarty managed to hold his individual lead from Squadron Leader David Holmes and Flight Lieutenant Rachel Milsom. However, the result was not enough to put Edinburgh in front of Canberra in taking home the teams’ advanced downhill skiing trophy.

The Canberra team was SQNLDR Holmes, Squadron Leader Elizabeth Scott, Flight Lieutenant Greg Mathams and Flight Lieutenant Karen Reid.

FLTLT Milsom went on to win the female downhill skiing trophy.

Chasing hard on the heels of CPL Medaris through a blizzard during the snowboarding dual slalom event, the rest of the field was unable to catch up and he went on to win the advanced men’s snowboarding.

It was also a clean sweep in team snowboarding for Amberley when Leading Aircraftman Tim Seager, Flight Lieutenant Darren Smith, Corporal Mark Luck and Flying Officer Doug Mathie took victory in the advanced snowboarding.

Of the remaining categories, David Holmes won the alpine veterans trophy, while Flight Lieutenant Andrew Fickling was named most improved skier and Leading Aircraftman Mark Shakes the most improved snowboarder.

A fantastic, injury-free week of fun and downhill competition culminated in the sponsors’ day barbeque. A brilliant, sunny morning combined with a deck of new snow after an overnight dump had everyone out of bed bright and early for fresh tracks.

Hoots and hollers could be heard all over the mountain as snow-goers revelled in the “white wave”.

Arriving back to Hotham Village, exhilarated by the brilliant start to the day, the Air Force contingent met with sponsors and tried their hand in the air – all with the guarantee of a soft landing of course!

Many thanks to the sponsors of the RASA Championships – DEFCREDIT, Metcalf and R.L. Buller & Son Winemakers.

Air Force team chosen for ADF interservice championships:

Skiers: FLTLT David Smyth, WOFF Bob Hawke, FLTLT Davin Johnson, SQNLDR Peter Murphy, FLTLT Michael Pearson, SQNLDR David Holmes, SQNLDR Anne O’Leary, FLTLT Wayne Edwards, FLTLT David Johnstone and SQNLDR Gary Presneill.

Snowboarders: FLGOFF Doug Mathie, FLTLT Stuart Macrae, LAC Brad Spencer, FLTLT Darren Smith, SQNLDR Thurston Williams, LAC Tim Seager, CPL Mark Tyson, LAC Troy Vanderplas, LAC Daniel Sharp and FLGOFF Des Meatham.

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