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February 2010 - Navy members complete 3 Loppet races around the world

Martin Linsley and Dave Michael (two long time NNSBA members) competed in 3 International Loppet Races in Japan, Canada and the USA. Read there exploits below:

Sapporo, Japan, 09Feb10

On arrival in Sapporo the temp was -10, but it hasn’t been that cold since. It took an hour to reach our hotel, by another bus and taxi. Met a Melbourne chap at dinner. He’d been here three days and knew his way about.  Very Japanese food, of course.  Not bad. Tired, so slept well that night, despite hard beds with pillows filled with what seems like wheat grains. Our hotel is way out in the suburbs, but not a great distance from either the race course area (which isn’t accessible until Saturday) and the Takani Snow World park, which is wonderfully set up for cross country skiing (and other snow activities for children).
Snow conditions are WONDERFUL.  About a metre of the stuff, all over town and country. At the park the track is groomed every day, and is 100% quality. Much better than anything in Australia. The amenities at the park are 100 per cent too. The park has 1km, 3km 6km and 10km trails, all very manageable and not technical.  On Sunday, Dave and I skied about 16km before returning to the hotel. Yesterday we managed about 28 km. Today we did 20km nonstop before returning to the hotel to get here.
Amazingly, there’s very few other folk enjoying the skiing. Maybe up to 580 people in the whole park (ex children). Today we met another couple of Aussies. Dave and I are probably the slowest skiers around, and we’re making heavy work of it. Improving though - I think and hope. Tomorrow we plan on skiing a long distance, 30-35 km, during the whole day, after which we’ll taper. Friday the race course will be open, so we’ll have a ski of bits. Saturday we’ll rest.
Sapporo, Japan, 13 Feb10
Dave and I are just about as ready for tomorrow’s Japanese Loppet as we can be. We have skied about 130 km in the past six days, yesterday beginning our taper. Until yesterday we skied at the Takina Snow Park, in excellent snow and temperatures ranging between zero and minus four. 
Yesterday we made our way to the site of tomorrow's race and skied about 15km of the course, including the steepest hill. It wasn't as awesome as we feared and should be easier than the course for the Hoppet. I did have a scare though, as my fingers, thighs and face froze when a cold wind blew. Tomorrow clothing selection will be important, for me at least.
I guess we're a bit nervous. I keep reminding myself not to think competitively, and to have the big picture of three long races in the coming 15 days. We have enjoyed the company of several Australians and other Loppet skiers staying at our hotel. A Swiss businessman who dined with us has added the racing to a business trip: and he also added four days of kite boarding in Egypt on the way here (which meant that his luggage weighs 40kg) - not bad
for a 66 year old. We have also bumped-into Greg Paul (Navy Cross Country Ski coach) twice. He's staying in the city.
The Sapporo ice festival was well worth visiting, with the sculptures, illuminations, entertainment, food stalls, and crowds of happy people. Lots of interesting cultural impressions. Hospitality, orderliness and interest of the people. Good and varied food, with lots of rice. Loos with inbuilt water and air cleaning - and today I experienced both a heated seat and a system for 'customer' sanitizing the seat. With the value of the $AU, expenses are lower than in Australia. The ski shops are good, but so far I have resisted the temptation to purchase any gear.
This afternoon Dave and I register for the race and attend a welcome social function. Other than that, and this, it's resting time. 

Ottawa, Canada, 17Feb10.

At this moment, 2120 on Wednesday evening, I am relaxed though. A spa, sauna and good meal does that -- particularly after a day of skiing 30km around parts of next Sunday's Gatineau Loppet race. The 'going' seemed tough, and perhaps we weren't tough enough to get going. Or perhaps the couple of centimetres of fresh snow made progress heavy: or perhaps we didn't have the 'right wax'. Maybe we should have waxed our skis after yesterday's 20km of practice.
The Gatineau Park is a beaut place to ski. It has undulating uplands with small lakes, and a mix of deciduous and coniferous woodlands. Some of the many skiing trails are wide (they are roads that have been closed for winter), some are the width of fire trails, and some the width of footpaths (and therefore unsuitable for the skating technique that Dave and I are using.
Sometimes we chat with folk around the trails. Here there's a 50:50 chance of encountering a French speaker from Quebec province or an English speaker from Ontario. This is because Ottawa is one side of the Ottawa River, and Gatineau (where both the park and our hotel is) is on the other. The 'character of the day' for us was a lady who I think was in her early sixties, who was skiing alone on one of the
remoter paths. She says she comes out skiing 20-30 times per winter. She asked us whether we had seen the moose that had been reported as being visible along the trail. Unfortunately, we hadn't. We did see a couple of woodpeckers though, and we've seen squirrels both in Japan and here.
Because we're rather 'buggered' after today's efforts, Dave & I will be starting our race-taper tomorrow. I'm planning on also starting the 'carbohydrate build-up' by having another of those good breakfasts.
Ottawa, Canada 20Feb10,
Outside the Ottawa Holiday Inn hotel today's temperatures are between minus one and five, and there are snow flurries. Dave and I aren't planning on doing much other than rest before tomorrow's race.
There is less snow around here than normal, and this has caused the race course to be shortened from 53km to 49km. The course is set in the Gatineau National Park, on the outskirts of the city and about a 15 minute drive from here. The park has about 200km of roads, tracks and paths, and during the winter they are all used for cross-country skiing. Most of them are groomed, which means that there are tens of kilometres where there are two pairs of classical tracks bordering a pathway that two to three skating skiers can travel alongside each other - wonderful, particularly as the relative shortage of snow in the park isn't apparent to anyone more familiar with Australia's conditions.
After arriving in Ottawa late on Monday evening, Dave and I have been skiing around the park each day, completing about 20km on Tuesday, 30km on Wednesday, 20km Thursday and 15 yesterday. This has enabled our experiencing almost the whole race course. The terrain will be slightly easier for racing than we experienced at Sapporo, and certainly easier than for the Australian Hoppet. Most of the gradients are long and slight (on the aforementioned roads), there being but one long steep uphill of about 120m vertical height in about a kilometre. The course not on the roads is on undulating tracks set in a delightful mix of deciduous and coniferous trees and occasionally alongside frozen lakes. If we're lucky (and we haven't been so far) we could see deer, beaver, wolves, foxes and even a bison. We have seen track evidence of these creatures though, and have seen woodpeckers.
There will be almost 800 competitors in our skating race, the majority of Canadian skiers opting to ski the classical technique for which there's racing today. We start in waves at 0900, and this time Dave and I will start near the back of the field. Temperatures for tomorrow are forecast to be
between minus two and minus eight, so I plan to don extra clothes to cope.
Fitness-wise we're both OK. Jet lag has disturbed our sleeping patterns badly, such that although in bed for many hours, most of those hours are sleepless, providing much opportunity for the brain to consider random and controlled.
We have, of course, looked in local ski shops and considered buying gear. Dave bought a set of skis and boots yesterday, but I resisted temptation. Overnight, though, I rationalised a minimalist approach, and am now considering buying a set of Fischer Crowns today.
We'll wax skis shortly, and then head into the city - probably to ice skate on the Rideau canal. More carbo-loading will be part of the day's activities. I'll report the race tomorrow evening before packing our gear. On Monday we head for Wisconsin, USA, and the Birkenbeiner Loppet there.

Ottawa/Chicago 22Feb10,

Two down and one to go - sent while in transit, from Chicago airport. Yesterday Dave and I completed the Canadian Gatineau loppet.
What with jet lag and pre-race nerves I didn't sleep well the previous night, despite the accumulated tiredness and the knowledge that race preparation had been good.
The race started/finished and was organised from a school bordering the Gatineau National Park. By the time we arrived for the start, the forecast temperatures of minus ten to minus four hadn't eventuated. They were about minus two, and remained so for the race. This meant that the snow
conditions, although thin, were good - much better than we're used to in Australia.
With 383 competitors in the (now) 49km loppet race, the start was organised in waves. Ours were later to start. As I waited behind the line I chatted with the lady beside me. I learned that she was from Hayward Wisconsin, our travel destination today, and the home of the USA's Birkenbeiner Loppet. Emily had already completed six other loppets, and intends/hopes to race in Australia's Hoppet in August this year -- not bad for a 64 year old.
By the race start, my nerves had gone. There was the usual nose-to-tail procession for the first couple of kilometres, during which everyone took care not to trip-up and/or break a pole. After that, gaps grew between competitors and one could concentrate on good skiing technique.
The course was conducive to good technique, with several long gentle uphill slopes with wide, groomed trails. These were interspersed with narrower tracks that undulated within deciduous woodland. Great skiing conditions.
Dave had started the race in an earlier wave than me, and I was looking to catch him. I never 'found' him, but doing so was probably an incentive for the first few kilometres of the race. (Afterwards I learned that I had overtaken him while the field was closely spaced.)
After a while I found myself skiing alone: a no-pressure situation. That said, like marathons and triathlons, I guess everyone skis as hard or as easily as they want to. I aimed for consistent effort and exertion, without ever over-doing things. After the race Dave reported having stopped at all
the refreshment stations and taking the time to chat with the volunteers there.
There were about seven refreshment stations offering liquid (water, sugared water or Gatorade) and food (banana, oranges, an assortment of biscuits and, wonderfully, chocolate coated raisins). They were welcome reminders of progress, as were the kilometre markers around the course.
Both Dave and I finished with energy to spare. As we crossed the line our names and origins were called over the loudspeaker system – good stuff! The winner finished the 49km in two hours six minutes. I finished an hour fifty minutes later, and Dave a further 48 minutes behind. We won't mention our finishing positions within the field (but I did finish in front of Emily, not by much though). Suffice to report that there was a stronger field in this race than in Japan. Our goal - finishing - and having our Loppet Passport stamped, had been achieved. The after-race food, the hot spa, and the beer last night were highly appreciated.

Heyward, USA  26 Feb

Pre-race day in Heyward Wisconsin. Tomorrow around 6000 skiers will compete in the 50km American Birkenbeiner race, using either the classical or skating technique.
Dave and I started the day at the breakfast organised for world Loppet skiers. As might be expected, the buffet included pancakes, bacon, grits, blueberries, muffins, scrambled or boiled egg, mixed nuts, strawberries and a couple of types of bread. The food was good, but the best thing about the gathering were the around 120 people attending.
There weren't many foreigners at the breakfast, which made the overseas visitors that much more special. As the lone Australians, Dave and I were especially feted, and we enjoyed a few conversations. Several either have, or wish to race in the Australian Hoppet.
The local MS charity is a sponsor of the race, and as speakers at the breakfast were a couple of girls with the disease, one of whom has just finished climbing Everest, thereby completing summiting the highest mountains on each of the continents.
Over the past three days Dave and I have skied the end, the beginning and the middle of the Birkenbeiner course. The last 2.5km of the race, just before heading through town and up Main Street (which has been closed to allow 20cm of snow to be trucked-in and groomed) is along the length of the
frozen Lake Hayward. We pass a few ice-fishing holes with shelters alongside.
That bit of the race is flat, the rest is characterised by undulating hills - not particularly high, but continuous. The cross-section of the race appears more like a saw blade than anything smooth. The track starts very wide (to accommodate all the skiers) but averages 20-25m wide. In summer it's a smooth grass pathway, used for running, cycling and walking, so it is fine for skiing.
Alongside the track there's birch, larch and occasional pine forest. All very attractive.
As the skiers arrive in town (which has a population of about 2300) the atmosphere both here and in the area is growing. Yesterday the elite skiers joined a spring competition up/down Main Street. This morning Dave and I watched a demonstration of skijoring (whereby your pet dog pulls you along on skis via a 10m tether and a waist harness) and then citizen sprint races for all age groups. Dave mentioned that Gary Lewis would have been in his element if competing. I would have tumbled quickly.
The weather has been perfect here for the past fortnight or so. This has meant only 12" of snow, but it's in good condition and the course is very well groomed (five big machines working full time now). The temperature range is between minus 15C at 0900 to about 0C at midday. I've bought a chemical hand warmer to help prevent my fingers freezing.
We have a pasta 'carbo loading' dinner tonight, and join a bus at 0600 to take us to the start area. Not so nervous as for the previous couple of races, but ....

Heyward, USA, 26 Feb

Last night our evening 'meal deal' (which employed a Birkenbeiner race voucher) saw us leave with a heavy 11" cherry pie to eat: good carbo loading stuff.
It'll be an early start for Dave and I tomorrow. At 0600 we will join a bus that drives the 50km to the race start. As I'm now starting in Wave 4, at 0905 (Dave starts in Wave 10, at 1000), that will mean a longish wait around the start area. Lots of time to soak in the atmosphere, work out what clothes to wear for the range of temperature, and get to the start line.
We'll pre-position our car near the race finish this afternoon (and walk back to our accommodation) in readiness to drive back after the race.
USA Birkenbeiner Race completed - 28 Feb
Hello again, from Chicago airport, on route to Miami. The 37th US Birkenbeiner Race was a good one, for everyone, including Dave and me.
Features that made it good for the two of us included:
- our levels of confidence: we could make the distance;
- the goodwill and bon-hommie of fellow competitors, organisers, and race supporters along the route;
- the weather and snow conditions: clear skies, no wind, and temperatures that started at around minus 12C at dawn, rose to around minus 4C by the time the race started, and slightly above 0C by it's end (I didn't use the chemical hand warmers, and my levels of perspiration probably
resulted in some dehydration.)
- the atmosphere in the town of Hayward as we skied off the lake, into the town, and up Main Street to the finish.
Features that the organisers appreciated included:
- over 10 000 skiers competing in all the programmed events;
- 8 400 skiers competing in either the 50km skate or the 53km classic Birkenbeiner races, or the Korte-Birkenbeiner (23km--more than the programmed limit);
- the best snow and weather conditions in the race's
history;
- having many 'old faithfuls' returning to compete (Several had completed more than 30 of the races, with one, I believe, having completed 36.)
We arose at 0530 to catch one of the 54 school buses employed to transport competitors at 0600. This meant we arrived at the Telemark Resort, where the start was, two hours before my start, and three before David's.
When we arrived at the Resort the place was already 'throbbing' with folk. The queues for the loos were awesome, and nearly all available floor space was taken with individuals sitting, changing clothes, or sleeping. Dave and I found a small space along the edge of a corridor, and
spent nearly an hour watching legs and feet pass both ways in front of us.
At an appropriate time we changed and joined the crowds making the 10 minute walk to the start area. Waves of competitors (of up to several hundred skiers in each) began leaving at 0800, and continued until gone 1000. Most competitors were skating, but I would guess that between
30-40% of them were using the classical technique.
By the time of starting pre-race nerves were gone. I started at the back of my wave, and was happy to cruise.  Cruise? Well, most of the way. The number of skiers meant that throughout the length of the
course there were other skiers just in front, just behind, and often beside one. The lack of chat suggested that I was with skiers who were taking their efforts seriously, but occasionally some supportive/encouraging words were exchanged.
Beside the track, race supporters provided lots of verbal encouragement, sometimes backed by bells ringing, drums banging or music playing. The final steep hill of the race, at 41km, has been called 'Bitches Hill' (for obvious reasons) and there we found a 'priest' absolving competitors
of their sins in swearing, and a couple of 'nuns' who were jiving away to broadcast music.
No less encouragement was provided by the many volunteers providing drinks and food (bananas again, for me) at the refreshment stations found every 6-10km along the route.
Shortly after that point of the race I was feeling more tired than expected. My inner-layer clothes were soaking by that time, despite my having removed neck warmer and beanie, so maybe I was dehydrated. The last couple of km seemed to take a long time. Nevertheless, it was with some relief and elation that I approached the finish line, heard my name and 'Australia' over the broadcast system, and finished.
For what it's worth (not much?) the 50km took me 3hrs 49min (2161 overall) - slow compared with the winner, an Italian, who completed the distance in 1hr 57min (not quite a race record). Dave was faster than ever, and finished the race comfortably in 4hrs 27min (2598 overall).
So, mission (three loppet races, with stamps in our passports) accomplished.
We're now on our way to Miami for yacht viewing and touring up the Florida coast to Charleston, NC.
It's time to refocus, but for me, at least, there will be some sort of come-down after the challenges of completing three Loppet races on three successive weekends. In total, we skied 396km.
Cheers,

Martin

 

February 2010 - EX Rucksack 2010 (Ruhpolding, Germany)

Aussies shoot up a storm against Brits
By LCDR Wendy Hughes

In an exciting finale to the ADF assault on the British National Nordic Skiing ad Biathlon championships – the Aussies won the coveted “best shot” for a military patrol team in the gruelling 30km cross country military patrol. This race combines and tests service teams physical endurance, marksmanship, leadership and team exercises – such as stretcher carries on snow in mountainous country.
CDRE Mark Purcell, an ADF team member and the president of the ADF Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Association said it was a great feeling to watch the Australian targets fall, “many of the British are elite, professional athletes and don’t expect a group of Australians to be able to compete to the same standard,” he said, “to not only compete – but to win the best shot trophy against 24 other British teams, in their premier event, is a fantastic effort”.
The ADF military patrol team included LCDR Garry Lewis, CAPT Dave Cave, WO1 Tim Costin and LCPL Travis Mcinnes. 
LCDR Garry Lewis was excited to be part of the British championships “the snow conditions were perfect and I enjoyed competing against elite athletes”, he said, “The highlight of course was winning best shot in the military patrol event and taking home a highly prized award  – I was very proud to compete in such a tough event.”
A total of ten ADF Biathletes took on the British champions during the three week competition in Rupholding, Germany, in early February. As well as LCDR Lewis from FHQ, the RAN was represented by CDRE Mark Purcell CIO Group and LCDR Wendy Hughes, Navstratcom. 
Rupholding is known as the “Wimbledon” of biathlon – hosting numerous world cup championships and being the training centre for Olympic contenders of various nationalities. 
“All team members improved with exposure to the world cup Rupholding course over the period of the championships” he said, “they are now well placed to bring their experience and knowledge back to Australia to share with fellow single service team mates at the Australian inter service championships in August 2010.” he said.
“Despite the British having five times more training time on snow than our team, we still managed a top 20 place in the 4 x 10km cross country relay and the best ADF individual, CAPT Dave Cave, finished in a top 30 position in the 20km biathlon distance event in a field in excess of 100 competitors”. said CDRE Purcell.

The Defcredit trophy for first international female skier went to LCDR Wendy Hughes. CAPT Dave Cave received the Defcredit trophy for first male international at the championships.

 

January 2010 - Irene Dunn win at World Masters

Irene Dunn (A long time friend of Navy Nordic Skiing and Biathlon) has won Gold for Australia at the World Masters Winter Games in the 7.5 km Biathlon Individual Event at Pokljuka, Slovenia in the BF3 (40-44 year) category. Irene was first with 5 penalties in a time of 34:27 beating Russian and ex-Olympic Biathlon Gold Medallist from Lillehammer, Nadzeda Talanova by 1 min 24 seconds with 11 penalties. Talanova skied fast, in fact 4 min and 30 sec faster than Irene but shot badly. Irene had a shaky start with 1 and 4 penalties on prone, but then shot clean standing. Bronze medallist was Dana Bartalaska Ninajova from Slovakia. Irene’s Gold is the first for an Australian Woman biathlete at a World Masters Championship Event.

The attached photo shows Irene on the podium with the other medallists.

September 2009 - Navy wins Again

Navy has capped off another strong year in Nordic Skiing with back to back wins in two of the final inter-service races for 2009. The first of these events was the Kangaroo Hoppet, which was held on August 28 in Falls Creek, Victoria. The event attracted skiers from around the world for an Australian Alpine Challenge. President of the Australian Defence Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Association CDRE Mark Purcell said, in order to compete, each service had to field a minimum of four skiers, two in the Kangaroo Hoppet race (42km) and two in the Australian Birkebeiner (21km).

"Navy's strength over the longer races proved too much for Army, with Navy team winning by a comfortable margin." CDRE Purcell said. The winning team was CDRE Purcell, LCDR Gary Lewis, LEUT Chris Cole, and LCDR Wendy Hughes.

In the final interservice race for 2009, the Kosciusko Tour on September 6th, the Navy Nordic Ski Team again beat Army and Air Force Teams. This was Navy third successive win in this event. The winning team was made up of CDRE Purcell, LCDR Lewis and Dave Drohan. "The snow was marginal, which meant we couln't race the traditional course from Tredbo across the main range to Perisher." LCDR Lewis said. "Despite the change in the race location, this didn't deter the large band of Navy skiers who braved marginal snow to sport the Navy colours." The history of the Kosciusko Tour interservice trophy stretches back to the races inception in 1977. It is the oldest trophy contested between the services in cross country skiing.

August 2009 - Navy wins at EX Coolshot 2009

Navy women have brought home the silverware folloing the National Inter-service Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon Championships contested at Mt Hotham from August 8-14. For the second year running, the womens team was victorious in a tightly-contested competion. Women's Team Captain LCDR Wendy Hughes said that it was very close between all three teams. "Navy was comming a close second to Army as we started the ski relay race, a series of 1km sprints, with a standard changeover box similar to a running relay event" she said. "When the starters gun fired the Navy team was led out by AB Jennifer North of HMAS Cairns. Considering AB North is new to cross country skiing, she surprised all spectators by winning the first leg of the relay against more seasoned campainers. Her determined efforts placed Navy in a commanding position - its was then up to me to stay fast and on my feet to win" AB North's gutsy efforts in the relay were backed up the following day in the 7.5km classic race, ensuring the Navy women team were winners overall.

"It was hard for me to keep my cool with everyone cheering me on" she said. "My improvement over the past week intimidated the opposition ans I managed to keep on my feet". LCDR Hughes was a great team captain and is certainly someone that I aspire to be like" Navy women also won the Womens Military Biathlon Trophy, a race designed to test military skills in the snow, including navigation, observation, shooting and general military knowledge and agility. "The Military Patrol event is a particular favourate of mine," LCDR Hughes said. "The race is about thinking on your feet and utilising a range of military skills"

The Men's championship trophy was hotly conested, with the Navy men's team welcoming its first APS team member, David Drohan, who proved capable in both maksmanship and skiing. Novice skier LEUT Lachlan Blyth continued his good form by regularly placing amongst the competion's top finishers, and the men's team was spearheaded by strong and consistant performances by CDRE Mark Purcell, LCDR Gary Lewis, CMDR Martin Linsley, PO Peter Sutton and CAPT David Michael.

Senior Rifle coach MAJ Daryl Johnson was particularly happy with the high standard of markmanships. "The Navy team worked very hard both on the range and during dry firing, to bring their shooting up to speed" he said. "These efforts paid off, with a number of the team members shooting very well whilst under the pressure of the competition". "Its not easy skiing into a shooting range and settling down to hit targets when you are out of breath. Following last years good performances, the Navy team is well positioned to do very well in the future.

LEUT Chris Cole showed the benifits of his overseas competition period during the European Winter by producing very fast ski times. "Chris' strong ski times, combined with his solid shooting performances, means he is an emerging strength in both cross country skiing and biathlon for defence. "LCDR Hughes said. "Chris also had the added responsibility of being the entire exercise team doctor - which keeped him very busy at times."

Despite the very strong performances from the Navy women, it was not enough to pull Navy through for an overall win. Army was the overall championship winner.

The Navy Team ably lead and managed by WO Ian Waller, saw a number of championship winners. CDRE Mark Purcell was awarded the Navy Champion shot Trophy; LCDR Gary Lewis was the Navy Champion Male; LCDR Wendy Hughes was awarded both the Champion Female and the Brian Read Coach's Award; and AB Jennifer North was awarded the post promising Novice trophy. "I thouroughly enjoyed the competition and will do backflips to continue to participate for years to come." AB North said. "I not only made a great group of friends, I developed leadership skills, confidence and renewed motivation."

WO Ian Waller said the team had developed remarkably over the past three years. "I believe that next year the team has the capability to win" he said. "I am very proud of the team's achievements and believe that we are on the cusp of regaining the ADF Championship.

July 2009 - NNSBA Training Camp

What great weather at Perisher during the NNSBA Training Camp held in Canberra and Perisher during the weekend of the 4th and 5th of July 2009. Saturday started with Rifle training utilising the WTTS at Duntroon, where we all got an appreciation of how bad our skill really were. After many practices and some running around the building in between details, and the application of our newly acquired marksmanship principles, our grouping was getting better. Saturday afternoon was spent equiping our members with equipment (skis, poles and boots) in readiness for Sundays on-snow training. An early start had us travelling from Canberra to Perisher, with a quick stop at Wilderness Sports at Jindabine for some extra equipment. Once at the Nordic Shelter at Perisher we were introduced to our coaches for the day. Many hours were spent learning and improving our skills.

September 2008 - Gold Gold Gold by Paddy O'Dwyer

In perhaps the best performance since Navy started participating in biathlon, the Navy team, spearheaded by LCDR Wendy Hughes, bagged three trophies at the annual inter-Service competition at Mount Hotham. Navy won the ADF cross country women’s track championships, the ADF biathlon trophy and the ADF Military Patrol trophy at the competition between August 10 and 15.

LCDR Hughes won all the female events, greatly helping her team to win the three team trophies. Navy males came second to Army in all male equivalent trophies. Army narrowly won the overall championship and Navy was second. “It is exciting for Navy sport to see our biathlon team perform so well this year,” LCDR Hughes said. “Our experienced skiers were complemented by a group of enthusiastic newcomers; add to the mix the expert guidance and support provided by our skiing and shooting coaches and the results speak for themselves.”

Being one woman short for the open women’s patrol team, the captain was permitted to select a novice to participate. CMDR Paddy O’Dwyer rose to the challenge with the Navy women’s team blitzing all open teams with the exception of Army men. The Navy’s last success was in 1994 when Navy females won the ADF cross country skiing track championship and this is the first time Navy has won either of the other two trophies.

The advances in performance are a credit to the efforts of team manager, WO Ian Waller, who has been putting his strategic plan into place over the last few seasons.

He has been encouraging the sport at the grass roots level, working hard to develop and encourage interest. He has also developed a web page and posters for distribution.

In the week before the inter-Service competition the Navy team conducted training, particularly for first timers and novices. Professional coaches instructed the art of cross country-skiing and competition shooting in superb snow conditions more akin to the snowfields of Europe than Australia.

The president of the ADF Biathlon Association, CAPT Mark Purcell, was particularly impressed with the standard of the Navy’s new biathletes. “It’s always great to welcome newcomers to the sport and our novices did a great job,” he said. “Notable mentions go to LS Craig O’Callaghan, PO Peter Sutton and PO Pete Wilcox who all gave gutsy efforts and LEUT Laughlin Blyth in his first year blitzed the field, being the first of the Navy team to cross the line on the final classic-style race.”

The biathlon team participates every year for a two-week period. The first week includes training and Navy races, while the second week is more training and inter-Service racing. It costs $300 for a full week in the snow – all accommodation in a lodge. Food and equipment is supplied and you don’t need lift tickets; your skis and skill get you there. Interested in Navy biathlon? Contact WO Ian Waller at navysport.nordic@defence.gov.au or visit www.skinavy.com

 

April 2008 - Chris Cole's Report from Idaho

It was mid-morning in the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains, and a haunting silence hung over the still, icy landscape of a northern winter. Bright sunshine glinted off the snow-dusted pines, motionless in the calm, crisp mountain air. Somewhere, a squirrel quietly arranged its nuts. And then, amidst the sudden quizzical looks of several hundred brightly Lycra-clad athletes from all over the world, someone figured out which cable had been tripped over and once again the rhythmic tones of U2 boomed out over the Christmas-card landscape, and the race commentary, provided in three different languages, was up and running once more.

This was the 2008 Masters World Cup for cross-country skiing, bringing 1,200 athletes from 23 countries to one small town in rural Idaho for a week of socialising, fine dining, much sampling of the local fermented produce, and yes, there was even some skiing to be done. The Australian team consisted of 4 ex-pats currently hibernating in the USA, and 6 of us who braved the luxurious spaciousness of trans-pacific economy class flights along with arguments over just what constituted "extra" sports luggage and what didn't, to converge on McCall, a sleepy little community of 1,600 souls who probably weren't quite aware of just what they'd unleashed upon themselves.

Being alphabetically advantaged, the Aussie team, replete with a local cowgirl acting as our flag-bearer, led the parade of athletes through town at the opening of the week's festivities. The reception we were given by both the locals and other athletes was amazing. They are somewhat astounded that Aussies have even seen snow before, let alone might actually be able to ski on it with, dare we say it, some semblance of skill, and were incredibly enthusiastic in their support. Snow conditions were superb, with around 160cm on hand when we arrived, with further heavy falls during the week leading up to the races. The trails wound their way over a narrow peninsula jutting out into the frozen Payette Lake, with breathtaking views, and we enjoyed perfect wind-less sunny weather for the entire race week. Races varied from 10km to 45km in length, with the women's team also competing in the 4 x 5km relay.

The standard of competition was very high. A brief glance along the starting line-up beside me revealed a smattering of Olympians, and right next to me was the guy who came 3rd in the Kangaroo Hoppet in Victoria last year. I was the only Navy member competing this year (a situation we aim to rectify in future years!), but one Army and one retired Army athlete both put in very competitive performances in their age groups, as did our civilian teammates.

With our typically marginal snow conditions here in Australia it is always difficult to be adequately prepared for this sort of event, however spending consistent time on snow with top-level coaches providing both instruction and constant individual feedback, and engaging in intensive local competition, is certainly a good way to start. Exercise Coolshot, the ADF Interservice cross-country skiing and biathlon competition held every year in the Victorian Alps, provides just this sort of environment, with two solid weeks of heavily subsidised skiing, shooting, expert coaching, on-snow accommodation, food, and adrenaline-charged competition against the best athletes the RAAF and Army can muster to throw against us. I participated for the first time in 2007, and put simply, it rocked. Either as an introduction to the world of cross-country skiing and biathlon or as a conduit for honing your skills to export to civilian and international military skiing competition, it is difficult to beat. Navy also sends teams to the Kangaroo Hoppet, the southern hemisphere's only Wordloppet ski marathon, and the Kosziuscko Tour each year (come help us hold on to the trophy in 2008!). Exercise Coolshot 2008 runs from August 3-15 and we'd love you to be there. Go to www.skinavy.com for details and join us for what is sure to be an awesome experience again this year.

March 2008 - Navy representative finishes 10th Fastest in the World Masters

Chris Cole has just returned from the World Masters in McCall Idaho, USA and can now be officially recognised as the 10th fastest man in the world for his age group!! Well done Chris. Some photos can be found in the Photo Archive section. Stay tuned for an official report from Chris on his achievements overseas.

September 2007 - Navy wins Kosciusko Tour 2007

Members of the Navy Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Team have won back the Interservice Kos Tour Trophy from Army in the Kosciusko Tour Race on Sunday the 2nd of September.

The Navy team consisting of Ian Waller, Wendy Hughes and Chris Cole competed against approx 40 competitors.

The Kosciusko Tour is an annual Australian point to point cross country ski race from Thredbo to Perisher NSW and has been contested since 1977 organised by the Canberra Cross-Country Ski Club.

The Interservice trophy has been hotly contested ever since the very first race, with Navy winning it a total of 13 times, Army 9 times and RAAF 3 times. The Tour attracts social skiers as well as elite Australian Olympic representatives and defence competitors.

This year’s race began in marginal conditions however it finished with the day being sunny and warm. The Tour started above the village of Thredbo behind the Top Station of the Kosciusko Express Chairlift. Competitors were subjected to an 88km head wind combined with a wind chill factor of -18 degrees C and sheet ice whilst traversing the first 2 kilometer climb almost to the summit of Kosciusko. Then followed a predominately downhill traverse in beautiful sun shine and a light tail wind along the Kosciusko Summit Road through to Charlotte’s Pass to finish at Perisher; a total distance of 18km.
The friendly atmosphere of the Tour continued through to the Presentation at Blue Cow's "Top Spot" after the race, which provided an opportunity for skiers to catch up with old friends.

Notable Navy competitor’s results were; LCDR Wendy Hughes with a time of 1.37.50 and as the 3rd fastest female overall and 1st in her age group; LEUT Chris Cole with a time 2.0.27 and 2nd in his age group and CPOET Ian Waller with a time of 1.44.07 and 5th in his age group.

The Navy Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Team compete every year in the annual Interservice Competition as well as a number of civilian races notably the Kangaroo Hoppet and the Kosciusko Tour. For further information go to http://www.navy.gov.au/sport/nordic.html or email Ian Waller at navysport.nordic@defence.gov.au