Page 180 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

Exercise Frosted Blade

and Exercise Spartan Hike

By Captain Christian Storey

skills required of any soldier, regardless of
rank, age, experience or gender. Standing
in the start gate, being prepared to risk ac-
cident and injury for individual and team
glory is commendable in its bravery and
selfless commitment to an overall team
goal. Nerves are unavoidable but as the
adrenaline begins to course through the
body, training takes hold and racers throw
themselves through the start gate and
down the course, around gates, reaching
speeds in excess of what one would deem
safe. Crashes are inevitable, injuries occur;
but courage endures.

When it came to race week, the seriousness
of the competition was realised. Races were
fiercely fought for in the Slalom, Giant
Slalom, and Super G categories, both as in-
dividual and team events. While the AGC
were competing, this was also essentially
training for the team, in its preparation
for the Divisional Champs at Exercise
Left to Right: Kayleigh Parker, Christian Storey, Abby Polley, Carly Spartan Hike. However, special recognition
Armstrong and Paul Haarhoff Exercise Frosted Blade
for performance should be given to a few
Alpine racing, eternally The team returned for a consecutive year to of the team during the infantry champs.
exhilarating, frequently Exercise Frosted Blade, the infantry alpine Jonny Brown, specialising in the Grand
Slalom and Super G, finished 2nd only
frustrating. The AGC team championships, held in Val d’Isère, France. to a Great Britain level skier on the Team
This year’s championship was its 31st year
takes to the mountains of and is run in typical infantry style. Consist- Grand Slalom event. Sadly the rest of the
AGC team didn’t quite do enough to win a
France, competing against ing of teams from nearly every regiment,
plus guest teams from the AGC, Royal
the best. Signals, and Army Medical Services. The
competition boasted nearly 250 partici-
The Team pants.
The thrust of the exercise sees skiers devel-
This year’s AGC Alpine ski team oped over a succession of training weeks
consisted of returning and new members, by their French instructors and slowly
experienced racers and individuals new to moulded into capable and competent al-
racing. Where possible, the team is chosen pine racers. The instructors utilise a variety
based on previous performances at the of training methods to develop competence
AGC ski championships. This year, the on the ski slopes to confidence on the race
team has been captained ably by Corporal slopes.
Joe Justice. Joe deserves special praise and
recognition for his captaincy of the team, Anyone who thinks that competitive skiing
having planned, organised and led all is some kind of military jolly however or
aspects of the exercises. questions the courage and commitment
The rest of the team included Kayleigh required to compete in alpine racing, has
Parker, Paul Haarhoff, Nicky Hayes, Carly obviously never been exposed to its rigours.
Armstrong, Jonny Brown and Abby Polley. It develops and enhances the personal

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