Page 45 - MERCIAN Eagle 2018

Alpine Skiing – Lt Margetts
2018 was a hugely successful year for
the 1 MERCIAN Alpine Ski Team. Eight members of the Battalion competed
on Ex FROSTED BLADE (the Infantry Championships) and at the Divisional Championships: Ex SPARTAN HIKE in
the French Alps. 1 MERCIAN finished 2nd Overall on Ex FROSTED BLADE, competing against the entire infantry with many other notable team and personal successes along the way. Alpine ski racing is an exhilarating and challenging way of testing our soldiers, demanding of physical fitness, courage
and skill whilst fostering the aggression
and fighting spirit vital for combat. The opportunity to train novices over a period of a few weeks and then launch them down professional race courses is unique to
the military and a fantastic example of the variety Army life has to offer.
At the time of writing, the team is competing again. 1 MERCIAN won the Infantry Championships on Ex FROSTED BLADE with Team Golds in Downhill, Super G, Slalom and Silver in the Giant
Slalom. Pte Kyle Wharton won the Junior competition in every event, cruising on to become the Junior Champion. Pte Wharton had never skied 12 months ago and is
now competing with the best in the Infantry and the Army, an incredibly impressive achievement. The team then qualified for the Divisional Championships and won the Infantry and Armoured Corps Cup along with Team Bronze in various events. Capt Andy Cole raced to Silver in the Downhill, tying for 2nd with the Army Team Captain. The crowning achievement of the season was qualifying for the Army Championships in Serre Chevalier. 1 MERCIAN were the only Infantry Unit team that qualified, a major credit to our skiers and the Battalion. At the Army’s, the soldiers skied for Battalion but also for the Infantry in the Corps competition. 1 MERCIAN won the Infantry Cup and LCpl Nathan Morris won the Best Endeavour Award. He repeatedly demonstrated courage and guts, launching himself down the mountain with almost
no regard for his own well-being; his
Alpine Skiing Success / Ex Frosted Blade / Val d’Isere, France / Jan 2019
determination and competitive spirit were noted by all. 1 MERCIAN Alpine Ski Team have had their most impressive season to date, we hope to continue to win as our soldiers push to greater heights while competing into the future. SFSH.
LCpl Kuhn competing in Giant Slalom having started skiing only 4 weeks ago / Ex Frosted Blade / Val d’Isere / France / Dec 2018
(L-R) Capt Cole, Pte Wharton, LCpl Morris, Lt Margetts / 1 MERCIAN’s champion Super G Team / Val d’Isere / Jan 19
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
43