Page 83 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Nordic Skiing
The 2016-17 Nordic skiing season was to prove the battalion’s most successful in recent years. Covering harsh terrain and precision shooting are the two principle components of Biathlon and there are few sports as close to the role of an Infanteer. With an even split of Returning and Novice skiers a well balanced team trained hard on French snow at the Infantry camp in Bessans, France. Emerging from this 4-week period, the 3 RIFLES team approached the Infantry Championships in January 2017 with optimism. Navigating a week of challenging racing the team nished 4th, a dramatic improvement on the previous year’s eighth.
Competing at the Army Semi-Final in Les Contamines, France proved to be an incredibly rewarding experienced. LCpl Wiseman cemented his reputation as one of the top Biathletes in the Infantry and LCpl Holden emerged as a formidable Novice skier. The week culminated in a 7th place nish of a 30 strong eld on the 20km Military Patrol Race, the team’s highest placement at the Divisional meet. Ultimately placing 9th over the week, 3 RIFLES quali ed for the British National and Army Championships in Ruhpolding, Germany – a formi- dable accomplishment.
Bavaria brought unforgiving terrain and a strong eld of seasoned skiers. The Army Championships was a steep learning curve and again, after a long two weeks of competition coming 13th on the 30km Patrol Race proved that even if the Corps were stronger in Olympic events, Infanteers hold their own in military matters.
The RIFLES is securing itself a reputation as the best Nordic regiment and 3 RIFLES in 2016-17 played a key part in contributing to this opinion. Through intense commitment and dedication 3 RIFLES Nordic set a clear marker for other units and corps that Ri emen are growing ever stronger Nordic skiers.
Lt Andrew Miller, OIC Nordic
Army Semi-Final in Les Contamines, France
Alpine Skiing
On the 2nd December eight members of the achievement and 3 RIFLES rst ever gold in winter
battalion drove for 24 hours to Val d’Isère. For the 32nd iteration of EXERCISE ALPINE FROSTED BLADE the 3 RIFLES team consisted of six novice skiers, one middling of cer and one Cpl Ryan Smith (more on him later!).
The event saw the team train and then compete in four disciplines of alpine skiing; slalom, giant slalom, Super G and downhill. The rst month in Val d’Isère was spent under the rule of the EVOLUTION2 ski school. EVO2 took the novice members of the team from zero to hero; starting with the basics, body position etc, before eventually unleashing the Ri emen on the downhill course reaching speeds of 60mph! The tuition, although excellent, was often tested by the language barrier. Directly translated French phrases from the instructors like “Dave you must pick up the strawberry as you turn” often left people scratching their heads.
Christmas day was spent as a team eating an interesting dinner in a Danish pub. After Christmas, two weeks of racing began. Cpl Smith who had previously competed for the Infantry team, again showed his skill by repeatedly winning the practice sessions. Cpl Smith didn’t manage to win a gold at the Infantry champs, but did go on to win gold in the downhill at the Divisional championships; a huge
sports at the Div level.
With Cpl Smith nishing in the top ten overall
and three other members of the team nishing in the top 60, 2016/17 proved to be 3 RIFLES’ most successful alpine season in years and has laid the foundations for future success. With the new season fast approaching the 3 RIFLES Alpine Skiing Team will endeavour to emulate the success of the Nordic team in the 2017/18 season. Watch this space!
Lt Tom Brash, OIC Alpine
CHRISTMAS DAY WAS SPENT AS
A TEAM EATING AN INTERESTING DINNER IN A DANISH PUB
Rfn Dave Harding moments before DISASTER on the Slalom practice course
THE RIFLES THIRD BATTALION 81