Over the period 7-14 Jan 12 a team of 11 Bursars (10 RAF and 1 Army), plus CO Typhoon Sqn, attended the RAF Ski and Snowboard Championships in Austria.  The Champs actually run for two weeks and are established to introduce beginners to the sports, as well as facilitate the transition from recreational skiing/boarding to competitive participation through tuition and training.

After two long days of travelling through what felt like most of Europe, punctuated with an overnight stop at the impressive USAF Airbase at Ramstein, we finally arrived at our destination in Austria: Saalbach-Hinterglemm. Greeted by 6ft of snow and plenty more forecast, we knew the week would be a good one. The first morning we all headed down to the ski hire shop where everyone hired out their respected kit for the rest of the week and headed off to their lessons. The first few days where defiantly a time of ‘firsts’ for everyone: for most people it was seeing so much snow; for OCdt Clark and OCdt Martin it was their first time skiing but for OCdt Clowes, he experienced his first boiled egg!  

The majority of lessons finished after the first 2 days leaving everyone to do their own thing and prepare for their races. By the end of the week OCdt Campbell, being the only non RAF on the trip, won the most medals in her races with a bronze, silver and gold. OCdt Handley-Smith won a gold and OCdt Fields and Clark both won bronze medals.  By the time our last day arrived, most people had survived the week without significant injury; however, OCdt Elliot did manage to bend one of his skis in half; it was very windy that day but it didn’t help that he had them trapped under the chair lift as he disembarked. As a result, he missed the CO’s epic ski trek to the next valley in a near blizzard, making the last lift back with a full 180 seconds to spare! 

Friday evening saw caution thrown to the wind with a ‘Team DTUS’ toboggan challenge.  With many electing to adopt the face down, head first, racing position, those that weren’t already battered and bruised, certainly were by the end of 2 death-defying runs down the mountain (in the dark). Then, to finish a fantastic week, we headed to the London Bar until the early morning for post race gluhwein and flugel before another long trip back to Loughborough.