Page 57 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
great extracurricular activities, includ- ing husky rides, alpine skiing and snow- boarding, recovery sauna and swim ses- sions, and socials with the rest of the RAC competitors.
The team, now reduced to 7, returned rested and refreshed from a Christmas break to compete in the RAC Championships, which was held in Serre Chevalier. Racing conditions varied greatly from the extremely freezing conditions in Norway. The team now understanding the diffi- culty of skiing across ‘wet snow’ and bat- tling cross winds on a range outside of an enclosed stadium. The pisted tracks how- ever were beautiful and many of the races were conducted up the valley past charm- ing French villages, rivers, woods and not quite so charming French skiers. The team raced and shot well, securing 2nd place overall and multiple placings across all races. In between racing, the team made the most of the ‘lycra only’ hot pools and the infamous ‘tapas bar.’
Results:
2nd overall team
4 x 5km mixed relay: 2nd place (Smith, Keaton, Darby, Ellis)
4 x 7.5km biathlon relay: 2nd place (Smith, Darby, Barr, Ellis)
10km skiathlon (5km classic, 5km skate): 2nd place (Smith, Darby, Barr, Ellis) 20km military patrol race: 2nd place (Ellis, Smith, Darby, Barr)
1st ‘skate skier’ and fastest lap in mixed relay: Ellis
3rd place 7.5km biathlon: Ellis
3rd place 10km skiathlon: Ellis
2nd best overall skier: Ellis
With Lt Hare and Tpr Fowlie returning to the UK for ranges, the team were now down to 5 for the divisional champion- ships. The RAC championships proved a rewarding lead up as the skiers now knew the courses and ranges well and could build this knowledge into their race plans.
Conditions throughout the week proved testing due to fresh snow and temperatures dropping to -17°C degrees. Competition also greatly increased throughout the field, with the team racing against current and ex GB athletes. The LDs skied and shot
Patrol Race inspection, Army Championships
well, finishing as 1st novice team and 5th overall, therefore gaining automatic qualification for the Army Championships in Ruhpolding, Germany.
Results:
1st overall ‘Novice’ team.
Men’s 4 x 5km classic relay: 6th out of 41 teams
Men’s 15km individual classic: 9th out of 29 teams
Men’s 10km individual biathlon: 5th out of 29 teams
Men’s 4 x 7.5km biathlon relay: 4th place out of 36 teams
20km military patrol race: 5th place out of 27 teams
3rd overall ‘Novice’ skier: Lt Ellis
The team then moved onto the The Army Championships which proved a challeng- ing yet enjoyable 2 weeks of competition. 8 races were held in total, broken into Cross Country Week and Biathlon week. The skiing was centred around the Chiemgau Arena, a world class biathlon venue which recently hosted the International Biathlon Union World Cup. The team finally got to experience the climb aptly named ‘the wall’ as well as a downhill known as ‘can- nonball corner.’ Tpr Keaton unfortunately
becoming a bit too well acquainted with the latter - knocking himself out cold on the corner barrier in the process and thus ruling him out for the remaining com- petition. With the LDs in dire need of a replacement skier, former Team Captain Alex Rudd stepped up and was flown out to Germany for the final week of racing to enable the team to continue competing. The Commanding Officer and Regimental Sergeant Major also flew out to show their support for the final 2 races, accompanying the Patrol Race Team on a route recce the day prior to the race.
Results:
The James Terry Cup for the first RAC skier in the men’s 15km classic XC: Lt Ellis
2nd Novice Men 7.5km XC: Lt Ellis
3rd Novice Men 15km XC: Lt Ellis
The 22/23 Nordic season was a fan- tastic experience and great success for all involved. Qualifying for the Army Championships as a full novice team is an excellent achievement and the team looks forward to utilising this experience to build on results in the season to come.
FGCE
Lt Ellis attempts to locate Capt Rudds wayward shots
Tpr Fowlie showing no signs of pre race nerves
Pure
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