Page 81 - Light Dragoons 2022 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
KRH and RTR; a fancy-dress Christmas on the slopes including a tricks competi- tion at the snow park, hosted by the QDG; and a closing party hosted by us at our favourite après-ski bar. Col Oli Nurton (LD, Exercise Director in 2003) was out skiing with two other ex-LDs (Capt William Mann and Capt Richard Kunzer), and they very kindly hosted us in their chalet for dinner and drinks.
Racing commenced on 31st December, and marked a serious change of pace on the exercise. Each morning, we slipped into our fluorescent lycra suits and set off with our newly sharpened skis, ready to race hard and win.
Results:
Slalom, December 2021.
Individual results /75:
Sgt Oldham – 3rd. Cpl Newton – 9th. Lt Innes – 23rd. Lt Digby – 32nd. Tpr Stoneman – 34th. LCpl Lawton – 36th. LCpl Newcombe – 37th. LCpl Withers – 40th. Tpr Greenhalgh – 44th.
Team results /14:
LD A – 5th. LD B – 10th. (Sgt Oldham 1st individual).
Giant Slalom, 04 January 2022.
Individual results/75:
Cpl Newton – 14th. Lt Innes – 25th. Tpr Stoneman – 26th. LCpl Lawton – 33rd. Lt
Digby – 34th. LCpl Newcombe – 35th. LCpl Withers – 36th. Tpr Greenhalgh – 40th. Sgt Oldham – DNF.
Team results /16:
LD A – 5th. LD B – 10th. (Sgt Oldham 1st individual).
Super G, 06 January 2022.
Individual results /73:
Sgt Oldham – 1st. Cpl Newton – 14th. Tpr Stoneman – 26th. Lt Innes – 29th. LCpl Lawton – 32nd. LCpl Newcombe – 37th. Lt Digby – 40th. Tpr Greenhalgh – 42nd. LCpl Withers – 44th.
Final results.
Individual seeding /72:
Sgt Oldham – 1st. Cpl Newton – 17th. Lt Innes – 27th. Tpr Stoneman – 28th. Lt Digby – 35th. LCpl Lawton – 36th. LCpl Newcombe – 40th. LCpl Withers – 42nd. Tpr Greenhalgh – 46th.
Team results /17:
LD A – 3rd. LD B – 9th.
Sgt Oldham was the stand-out performer, winning overall despite recovering from injury. He is a success story of Ex White Knight, having never skied before joining the Army. Our novices – LCpl Lawton, LCpl Withers, and Tpr Greenhalgh – also did exceptionally well, consistently out- performing novices from other regiments and finishing no lower than 46th/75 ski-
ers. We came away with two trophies (Sgt Oldham’s Super G Trophy, and Capt Pullinger’s Jack Pullinger Bravery Award Trophy), a large number of penknives (the standard prize for coming second) and – perhaps the most monumental achieve- ment – Lt Innes returned with a girlfriend. We returned on 09 January 2022, taking a quick detour to see the Eiffel Tower.
Ex Pipedown, the Divisional Championships, was cancelled due to COVID-19. However an invitational Army Championships was held in Serre Chevalier from 19 – 28 January 2022. Sgt Oldham received an invite and was able to compete, coming 14th out of 68 competi- tors. He was the top RAC skier by some margin.
Ex White Knight 37 was a fantastic exer- cise. Our competitive skiers represented the regiment proudly, and Sgt Oldham stood head and shoulders above all oth- ers. Three LDs who have never had the opportunity to ski before were introduced to the sport and have made firm plans to go skiing again. Our team bonded with other RAC units and made friends across the spectrum of rank, from Tpr to Col. The season stands as a proud example of confidence-building and the ‘X-Factor’ of military life.
JD
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