Page 15 - RADC Bulletin 2019

For Events in 2019-2020...
@britisharmybobsleigh
See events direct at...
www.awsa.org.uk/bobsleigh
The Deutsch Post Eis Arena was situated at the foot of Lake Konigssee, surrounded by snow tipped mountains, overlooked by the infamous Eagles Nest. Pilots would walk the track every morning with the coaches
to revise the best lines to take, and the brakemen and women would be preparing the sled for the days training. As the lights turned green and the cheeky track voice would announce the track is clear for the ‘next contender’, each team battled through the week to improve their times and build up to their best standard by race day, enduring the ups, downs and sometimes upside-downs. The Army Championships race was held on the final Friday over two Laufs (slides). It was a close race, with only seconds separating the teams, but there could be only one winner, and Capt Sarah Smith AGC (ETS) and SSgt Zoe Beckett
slid their way to victory and into 1st place as women’s Army Bobsleigh Champions (Konigssee) 2019.
EX RACING ICE III – UK Armed Forces Inter Services Championships
The Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force advanced on Konigssee for an ice war. The services came armed with a sliding force ranging from complete novices to Olympians. Even Team Jamaica made the coolest of appearances, with Shan Williams of the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team sliding on behalf of the RAF. The adrenaline
fuelled atmosphere always makes this a highly addictive sport. The strict routine compliments the risky nature of the sport, beginning with an early track walk for the pilots. Every inch of the ice is analysed,
and each turn is visualised until each pilot can drive the track with their eyes closed. Meanwhile, the brakemen and women are conducting team strength training under
the international level push coach, Steve ‘Smudge’ Smith. As the squad increase their bounds daily, the runners begin to shine and the down times sharpen, and the sliders compete for a position on the Army Team by the end of week 1.
Those fortunate enough to be selected continued to wrestle their way down the track over the 2-week training package, supported by those who fought valiantly
but did not quite make the team cut. With hundredths of a second dividing these runs, the competing squads were looking fierce and those no longer sliding remained armed and ready to ‘fight tonight’ should they be called upon.
The track proved to be unforgiving to some, as all three services slid through blood, sweat and tears to tame the beast that is Konigssee. With hours of sled preparation, physical training, and the highs and lows (some very low!) of time spent driving the course, it was time for the grand finale! The UKAF Inter Services Bobsleigh Championships were held over 2 days, 4 Laufs, over approximately 5 km of ice and including 40 athletes. The competition was fierce, and each athlete gave it their all, seeing some PBs at the block for the push start and some experiencing their first race day crash. After 2 adrenaline fuelled days
of fixed bayonets, the results were in: The Royal Navy made history being the first time both their male and female team stormed the race and won Gold in the team event. The RAF swept up silver and the Army Bronze, with only 3 seconds between the fastest and slowest sleds of each service, making it an intense race! The Army
saw some personal achievements in the individual race, seeing Captain Sarah Smith AGC(ETS) and SSgt Zoe Beckett RADC,
finishing on the podium with an individual Bronze medal.
As the last breaths were expelled from the dying beast that was Konigssee, the sportsmanship and camaraderie was unquestionable, as athletes from all three services came together to shake the
hands of the others and cheer them over the line. Celebrations were had and prizes were awarded, with everyone feeling part
of one ice sports family. The extreme and dangerous nature of this adrenaline sport sets it apart from any other, and creates
an environment which strongly promotes respect, loyalty, team cohesion, courage, mental and physical robustness on a whole new level! Once you have been gripped in the jaws of the ice sports world, it will be difficult to forget it... not only being part of an incredible extreme sport and brushing shoulders with world class sliders, but being a member of the ice sports community, this is belonging.
If you would like to get involved this season, learn a new sport, have the opportunity to represent your unit at the Army Championships, make new friends and open up the doors to international sport, apply now through AWSA website. Alternatively, Facebook and Instagram @ Britisharmybobsleigh. All links and events are published regularly, and the team are on hand to answer any questions you may have before you arrive.
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