The RAF Ski Team challenge the A-Team
13 January 2010
At 3000m up with snow all around, it’s easy to question the sense in hurtling down a mountainside with just a pair of skis attached to your feet.
That is what members of the RAF Ski Team have volunteered to do in a bid to represent the Service, both in the RAF Ski Championships and the Inter Services Championships this month.
So to match these RAF heroes of the winter wonderland, I was dispatched from the office to try my hand – and legs – at some of the training at the RAF Ski Team’s winter camp in the southern Alps at the resort of Tignes in France.
New skiers to the group join the development squad which aims to produce the RAF skiers of the future.
Personally I ski as a tourist – once or twice a season that involves late mornings, long lunches and too much apres (after) ski entertainment.
Skiing competitively is a totally different ball game.
With the development squad, training days start with the first lifts up the mountain, lunches are just long enough to finish a sandwich and let your feet warm up before setting off for more practise, whatever the weather.
Lessons are rigorous. I am learning the Giant Slalom (skiing downhill around poles – called gates – in the quickest possible time).
I am told by development coach Flt Lt Steve Puckering, ‘aggression’ is the key.
Getting as close to the gates as possible could see seconds sliced off the final time and mean the difference between first and second place.
Turns need to be tight and ‘dynamic’ and the body subtle and agile.
Nice in theory, but pushing the upper side of 40, with an expanding waistline, my body has different ideas.
I am willing though and make my way to the starting gate.
I’m a little nervous – but I hope my nerves don’t show too much as I am wearing the skintight speedsuit used by professional racers.
I get the ‘Go’ from my tutor.
To say it’s downhill all the way would be correct.
But there are more things to consider – not letting your legs pass either side of the gates (for obvious reasons), remaining upright (always a good idea on skis) and controlling my speed.
I also have an adversity to falling and feeling pain.
So far so good. I have passed several gates, and start to enjoy the run. School boy error.
My speed increases and my balance is off – imagine Walt Disney’s Bambi on ice, just not as graceful.
More gates fly by.
I am trying the run at the end of the day after many others have carved out a track down the mountainside.
I am not sure whether I am in a rut or actually skiing down the mountain, but my course continues apace and I hang on.
The final few gates are in sight, but my thighs are burning.
The thought of finishing spurs me on, and I do – still upright, much to my relief.
I’m tired, but content. I don’t think my standard, style or speed will get me into the RAF Ski Team – or even the reserves – but I have completed the RAF News A Team challenge so I am ecstatic.
Job done
For more information on
RAF Skiing contact: stevepuckering@hotmail.com
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