Page 44 - 4RA 2021-2023

Mid-November 2022 saw six mem- bers of 4RA train for, and subse- quently compete in, Ex SPARTAN
HIKE, a Divisional level competition that selects teams and individuals for the Nor- dic Skiing Army Championships.
A team of two officers, two JNCOs and two gunners set off on the long drive down to Longmoor camp for a 3-day Nordic ski training package. They then made the 2-day drive across Europe to their final destination in Norway. Here they would spend the next four weeks living and train- ing together, in anticipation of competing in Ex SPARTAN HIKE the following Janu- ary.
Nordic skiing is split into two disciplines: Classic and Skate. Skate skiing is a biath- lon, coming with the additional element of rifle target shooting. As the first race for the novice was under the classic dis- cipline, to be held at at the end of that first week, classic skiing was the area the nov- ices concentrated on first.
The first week in Norway got off to a slow start due to the lack of snow and due to the fact that there was only one 200m loop allocated to all RA teams. This made it very difficult to complete the instruction required to get the novice skiers to the right level, as they inevitably spend lots of time on the ground. On the other hand, the shortage of snow gave the team more time to spend on the range, where we were able to fit the biathlon rifles correctly and get them zeroed to each member of the team. After the snow shortage of week one, the second week saw four successive days of heavy snowfall, which made it difficult for the team to travel between the train- ing area and the accommodation further down the mountain. Although the weather
4th Regiment Royal Artillery
Nordic Skiing Bdr Constable
was not ideal for driving, it was very good for the skiing and allowed groups to finally practice, and the team covered a consider- able distance on skis.
After a week and a half training, the nov- ices competed in a 1km classic relay race. This saw LBdr Hudson and Gnr Kemp win the best relay handover with a (mercifully injury free!) face-down dive into the snow. A few days later the entire team took part in a biathlon race, which combines both skate skiing and rifle shooting. Bdr Con- stable placed 9th out of 77 racers, with the rest of the team collectively putting in a strong effort.
The third week would test the mettle of every skier, no matter their prior experi- ence. With abyssal conditions seeing the temperature dropping as low as –24C, it was so cold that training had to be can- celled for two days. The team used the enforced rest period to prepare the kit they would need for the upcoming military patrol race. This race is 20km long, carry- ing 10kg and a SA80 individual weapon, whilst also completing command tasks along the way.
The fourth and final week of the train- ing period consisted of team-led training, where there was no time wasted in getting back out onto the snow or to the shooting range. The latter was particularly urgent as the team had identified marksmanship as the biggest area requiring improvement. Bdr Constable coached the team with some simple drills to improve their shoot- ing, which saw every member improve their shot. The final days in Norway were spent travel-waxing all skis and packing bags ready for the 2-day drive back to Topcliffe and some well-earned Christmas leave.
Bdr Constable shows the team how it is done
On the 13th of January, the team packed up the vans and set off back to France for Ex SPARTAN HIKE. SPARTAN HIKE is a tough, Divisional-level competition, and it broke some hearts when members of the team found out that there was a 5km classic relay race the day after arriving. This short, 5km race was fast and furious, and was a good shake-out ahead of the dreaded 15km classic race the following day.
The 15km classic race went well for all 4RA competitors and the local spa offered a much-needed chance to relax in the after- noon. The team enjoyed the opportunity to sit in the heated outdoor pool and conduct “a bravery test” by seeing how long they could spend in the freezing plunge pool. LBdr Hudson won this competition by a long shot, managing a staggering 22 min- utes in the freezing water.
In the final races, the team performed well in the biathlon, finishing in the top half of all units. The team returned home fitter and more confident, having tested themselves in difficult circumstances and forged new bonds both within and across the Gun- ners. I would recommend Army Nordic Skiing to anyone: it is well-structured and organised, and caters equally to novices and experienced competitors alike. The quality and duration of the initial four train- ing weeks in Norway for RA teams is inval- uable, and makes it possible for utter nov- ices to perform in the races to a standard they would never have dreamed possible on their first day on the snow.
THE TEAM
Capt Watkins Capt Broome Bdr Constable
LBdr Hudson Gnr Fairclough Gnr Kemp
From left to right:
Gnr Kemp, Capt Watkins,
Gnr Fairclough, Capt Broome, Bdr Constable
The aurora borealis in Norway’s night sky
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