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CPL
Scott Malpass last year.
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ABOUT
85 alpine, snowboarders, Nordic and biathlon (skiing and shooting)
schusshunds will continue a four decades-old tradition when they
turn out for the championships at Mount Hotham in Victoria’s famed
snowfields from August 1-8.
They are gathering from RAAF bases Amberley, Williamtown, Richmond,
Wagga, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart and Sale.
Their abilities range from beginner to expert. Fitness is the
key to success, regardless of climate, according to Nordic (crosscountry)
skier Squadron Leader Robert Schouten.
“From a Nordic/Biathlon point of view, cold weather plays little
part in the preparation,” SQNLDR Schouten said. “Athletes are
required to ‘run’ on skis over distances ranging between 5 and
15 km in varying weather and snow conditions.
A 15km race can take well over an hour to complete.
“We prepare with fairly strict exercise regimes involving roller
skiing or roller blading as well as aerobic activities to develop
lung capacity and upper and lower body strength. “With biathlon,
you have to ski well and shoot well. You have to think about breathing,
aiming and timing. The same aerobic standards are necessary and
some of the rifles are stored at Williamtown and Richmond for
summer training use by our members.”
The alpine (downhill) skiers and snowboarders will use one end
of the fields at Mt Hotham, while the Nordic and biathlon skiers
will use the crosscountry trails at the other.
The championship week consists of introductory training in skiing
and shooting with the counting races on the last two days.
Snowboarder Flight Lieutenant Stuart McRae said snowboarders would
race first because the snowboard surface does less damage to
the course than skis.
He said the skiers were looking forward to an excellent week’s
skiing.
“The mountain offers a wide variety of slopes, including some
of the most technically challenging in the country,” he said.
