Snowboarders carved a path for Air Force domination at the ADF Snowsports Championships, held at Perisher, NSW, from September 1 to 4.

Air Force took out a number of collective titles, including champion men’s ski and snowboard team, champion women’s snowboard team and overall champion service. 

Navy won the women’s ski team trophy off the back of strong performances from stalwart Lieutenant Sabrina Ting and Able Seaman Zoe Grayson, who was named women's overall champion skier.

Army had been champions for three years running but couldn’t best the aviators despite podium finishes from Captain Tom Davis and Private James Lees, who was the men's champion skier.

Services go head to head across skiing and snowboarding disciplines, such as slalom and its variations, slopestyle, ski and snowboard cross during the annual event.

Army and Navy recorded a number of podium finishes, but it was the aviators’ depth of talent that was the difference when the champion service was named on the final night, Air Force Alpine Sports Association president Wing Commander Brett Aaker said.

“From skilled intermediates to ex-professional athletes, and even Olympians, the competition is hard fought, and the smallest mistake can undo all the hard work a competitor puts in,” Wing Commander Aaker said.

“This is only the second time Air Force has won overall champion service since snowboarding was introduced. It speaks to the mastery our aviators.”

'I was so happy and especially proud of the team and the number of girls who showed up and gave it a crack.'

Able Seaman Grayson said winning women's champion skier at her first championships was a surreal experience.  

“I was so happy and especially proud of the team and the number of girls who showed up and gave it a crack,” she said. 

Able Seaman Grayson wowed in the terrain park, impressing judges and scoring first place for variety, difficulty, execution, style and amplitude based on two runs.

She also finished fastest in the giant slalom and the skier cross – a BMX-style course race against an opponent – just ahead of team captain Lieutenant Ting.

Air Force Corporal Jess Barry was the women’s overall champion snowboarder after taking out first place in snowboard cross and finishing on the podium for slopestyle – it was the first year skiers competed alongside snowboarders in the slopestyle event. 

Flying Officer Lillian Minifie and Leading Aircraftwoman Kate Brown joined Able Seaman Grayson on the podium. Air Force skiing stalwart Squadron Leader Grant Targett came second in the men’s division.

The interservice competition followed the single service training and team-selection week at Mount Hotham in Victoria and at Perisher.

More than 100 sailors, 65 soldiers and 120 aviators tried out for their teams, with 10 male and eight female skiers and snowboarders selected for each service.

'It’s also great for physical fitness and it’s great to see our friends from other services return each year and talk about the sport we love.'

Navy’s Lieutenant Ting said there was a good mix of new and familiar faces. The community was what kept people coming back. 

“It’s important for people in Defence to have a break from work and come together with people you don’t work with every day,” Lieutenant Ting said. 

“It’s also great for physical fitness and it’s great to see our friends from other services return each year and talk about the sport we love.”

Army Alpine Snowsports Association staff said applications were down on previous years, and encouraged anyone interested to get involved. 

Lieutenant Hamish Young discovered Army snow sports on initial employment training and encouraged anyone interested in skiing or snowboarding to give it a go. 

“When you’re at the top of a course, you can feel your heart in your chest – I love the challenge,” Lieutenant Young said.  

“My call to arms is [if] you want to give it a go, put in your nomination and we can help you challenge yourself.

“Whether you’re a World Cup-level racer or you’re new and you want to improve, the team has the capability to navigate you down the hill safely and get you home proud and confident that you’ve pushed yourself.”