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Army Medical Services Skiing Championships |
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Serre Chevalier France |
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3 - 17 March 2007 |
The Army Medical Services Skiing Championship has been going since around 1971 and has taken place in and around various locations in Bavaria, the Hartz Mountains (adjacent to what used to be the old east Germany), Winterberg (central Germany), Canmore (near Banff - Canada), Jasper (Canada), Le Grande Bornand (France), Claviere (Italy), with the last two events taking place at Serre Chevalier (France). Next years event will also be at Serre Chevalier. Dates are to be confirmed but probably the first two weeks in March. A common misconceived perception is that that you have to be a good skier to go on these events. Yes, it is a competition, but local ski instructors teach everyone.
Competitions take part in the second week and everyone is involved at some level, be it admin/racing/support! Beginners of all ranks are especially welcome as they are the lifeblood for the future. Cpl Stewart Low could not ski before he came with us to Canada. He is now an accomplished downhill and cross-country skier and is the unit Nordic ski captain. This year we entered three Patrol Race Teams – this is a race where teams of 4 personnel carry their equipment over a course of between 20 - 30 kilometres and carry out several command tasks on the way.
Numbers attending fluctuate dependant on what the world operational scenario is. We have seen 350 personnel attend from everywhere the AMS serves (Germany, Cyprus, Kosovo etc) 185 attended this year. '205' have taken teams ranging from 6 (in the early 90's, to a maximum of 27 to Canada several years ago. In addition to the AMS we also send up to 12 personnel every December to Norway (for 8 days) to participate in a cross-country skiing exercise. Beginners are especially welcome. Other races for all personnel include a 5 km relay race, 10 km cross country race, giant slalom, special slalom and parallel slalom. There are also 'B' races for the novices and beginners.
This year we took 18 personnel. There are more TA taking part than regulars now - mainly due to operational commitments but this is an excellent opportunity for TA units to meet and network. Also the social scene is very good!!!!
This event will again be held in Serre Chevalier during the month of Mar 08 and will be confirmed at the AMSSC AGM in May 07. Anyone requiring more information as to what the exercise is all about (this especially includes beginners) should contact any of the personnel who took part this year. A request for the names of interested personnel for next year will be put on Unit P1Os in Jul 07.
The unit ski team is to be congratulated on their recent success at the Army Medical Services Skiing Championships, which were held in Serre Chevalier, France, over the period 3 – 17 Mar 07. This was an exercise in which everyone who attended played their part. Unit achievements are listed below. The Ladies Team results are even more credible as they were competing against the Army ladies Champion:
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Event |
Cup/Trophy |
For |
Winner |
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Ladies Slalom |
Gunzesreid Bell |
1stTeam |
205 Fd Hosp (V) |
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Special Slalom |
Nil |
1st TA Super Veteran |
Capt Whyte |
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Special Slalom |
Nil |
2nd TA |
Capt Illingworth |
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Special Slalom |
Nil |
2nd Lady |
Capt Illingworth |
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5 km Nordic |
Nil |
Ist Hors Concor |
Celtic Connections |
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10 km Nordic |
Nil |
1st Lady |
Capt Ozanne |
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10 km Nordic |
Nil |
2nd Hors Concor |
Celtic Connections |
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Giant Slalom |
Jubilee Cup |
1st Lady |
Capt Illingworth |
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Giant Slalom |
Nil |
2nd Lady |
Lt Howie |
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Giant Slalom |
Thompson Trophy |
1st TA Team |
205 Fd Hosp (V) |
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