ADF aims for German Alps

Volume 48, No. 22, November 30, 2006

NICE SHOT: FLTLT Serina Ma draws a steady bead during the ADF inter-Service biathlon in August.

ADF nordic skiing and biathlon expertise will again receive a significant boost in January 2007 when an ADF team competes at the British National and Inter-Service Nordic and Biathlon Skiing Championships to be held in Germany.

The team comprises six men, six women, a coach and a manager.

According to Team Manager SQNLDR Bob Schouten, this represents a significant development phase for ADF skiers and a boost for the sport.

“Following our previous tour, a significant interest has developed among our nordic skiers to vie for a position as an ADF representative. This is now the second time we have sent an official team to compete,” he said.

The team includes previous World Cup participant CPL Scott Malpass, an Air Force Reservist, and a mix of highly-capable athletes down to novice skiers, who will use the tour to further develop and enhance their skills.

The team will travel to Obertilliach in Austria in early January to begin lead-up preparations and acclimatisation before the start of the championships on
January 24.

“This lead-up training will involve getting used to skiing and shooting under very different snow and weather conditions than we have in Australia,” SQNLDR Schouten said. “Also, and more exciting, there will also be the opportunity to race in one of the world ‘Loppet’ races of about 50km.”

From Obertilliach the team will travel to the competition venue at Ruhpolding, Germany, where preparations will begin for the championships.

“The actual competition is held over two weeks and covers nordic and biathlon races,” he said. “Our ADF team will be going head-to-head in competition for team and individual awards against teams from the Belgian, Canadian and German military, as well as British Army, Royal Navy and Air Force personnel.

“The competition will be of a very high standard as a large proportion of the elite European skiers are military personnel. The team members will gain a huge amount of experience from this tour, and this is something that will assist Defence grow the sport in Australia.”

The ADF Nordic and Biathlon Association will extend an invitation to British and European teams to compete in the ADF’s next championships at Mt Hotham in August 2007.

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