Page 54 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

The arrival of the winter season brings with it the assembly of the eight fin- est soldier-athletes the Regiment has to offer. The team consisted of the experi- enced hands of Cpls Newton, Neighbour and Newcombe; three novices of LCpls Clayton-Reid and Menzies and Tpr Westmacott; with Lt Riall and Capt Jefferis at the helm. This was a team that had all the potential for a strong performance on the piste and, with any luck, off. The team set off through the night and across France into the welcoming sunrise of the Swiss Alps, which signalled the beginning of five unforgettable weeks.
The first day consisted of a revealing grad- ing process. All skiers assemble at the top of a red run and one by one ski down under the interrogating gaze of the Ecole Suisse de Ski instructors. Skiers are greeted at the bottom by a defining number. This num- ber represents not just your assessed abil- ity group but introduces you to the other skiers you will be training alongside for the next three weeks. With all the team members suitably placed into their train- ing groups, weeks of hard training began in preparation for the competitions in the New Year.
The LDs have built up quite the social reputation over the years, and we saw our-
selves being welcomed back. It is unclear if this warm welcome is thanks to the famously affable nature of the Northern Cavalry, or the generous donation of our LOA and LSA in support of these estab- lishments. Nevertheless, the team spent 36 nights conducting as much PR for the regiment as possible. An impressive feat of both determination and stamina.
Christmas day soon arrived, and the sol- diers woke to scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, and Pol Roger. With calls to loved ones back home finished, the team was lured to the Christmas day party in the snow park before skiing to a team Christmas lunch. LCpl Menzies however, decided on a more direct approach thanks to a sudden and completely unrelated loss of all skiing ability.
The resort very quickly builds towards the New Year celebrations in both anticipation and capacity until a point of near burst. This also included our own six-man cha- let which was now housing 11 thanks to an influx of guests. Capt Alderman arrived to inspect the Yeomanry team on behalf of his CO. After sighting the Yeomanry from a distance and assessing all to be in good order, he was content to spend his remain- ing time between La Rouge après ski and Team LD. New Year celebrations began
Fur A Cheval
with the top three ski groups entering a local Giant Slalom competition to test our abilities against local racers. A fine perfor- mance saw the Army Skiers only narrowly defeated by an elite group of ten-year-old girls. This narrow defeat only emboldened the celebratory spirits of all skiers. A pil- grimage to Plaice Central occurs which sees an apparent 30,000 descend on the square. An event best described as a warmly dressed Glastonbury crowd under increas-
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Regimental Sport Alpine skiing
Two chalet girl
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