Page 181 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

much the business end of the team’s sea- Endnote
son. Seeding is determined by an initial Gi-
ant Slalom race. The race week schedule is Performance is rarely perfect and mistakes
then completely weather dependent as cer- can be costly; the harder one pushes the
tain races require certain snow conditions. skis on the racing line then the greater the
The week started quite wet and snowy; risk of crashing out and injury. It hap-
suitable for slalom but nowhere near suit- pens to the best skiers, but never ceases to
able or safe for speed events. The team and frustrate; maybe that is part of its allure,
individual slalom were the first races held the search for a perfect race. Sport within
over the first two race days. The slalom, the army is not necessarily about winning
a technical event, was not the favourite prizes, although nice. It sounds clichéd,
team medal. Abby Polley competed in her discipline of our team. The team was how- but sometimes it is the taking part that
first ever race, a speed event that requires ever very well suited to faster, open courses counts. Through sport, the army develops
serious levels of courage and commitment, on the Grand Slalom and Super G events, the individual and collective skills in its
and only went and placed fastest female. which followed in succession. Seeding personnel that can be utilised and trans-
Finally, Kayleigh Parker and Carly Arm- positions fluctuate based on performance. ferred to any environment. The AGC team
strong achieved the outstanding results of One good race lifts ones hopes of a higher returned to their units as both better skiers,
being second and first placed females on seed for the next race, but equally, a crash but also better soldiers, ready for the next
the overall exercise race standings; a huge or disqualification can have the adverse challenge.
achievement for both. effect. At the end, the AGC girls only very
narrowly missed out on a team place at
The Corps team held its head high both on the Army Alpine Championships. It would
and off the slopes, winning the award of have been a great first for the team by Left to right: Paul Haarhoff, Christian Storey, Kayleigh Parker,
Carly Armstrong, Abby Polley, Nicky Hayes,
Best Guest Team. sending a strong contingent through to the Jonny Brown and Joe Justice
Army Championships.
Exercise Spartan Hike

The Divisional Championships are short
and sharp. Held in Serre Chevalier, and
in its 24th year, there were 81 teams from
across the whole army. The focus is solely
on competitive racing and this was very

Right: Paul Haarhoff tucks the Super G

Left: Kayleigh Parker, ready to race in Val d’Isère

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