Page 37 - QARANC Vol 20 No 2 2022

‘Just like riding a bike,
you never forget how to slide’
After a two-year break due to Covid, March 2022 saw the return of the Inter Services Ice Sports Championships held near Innsbruck, Austria. These Championships looked a little different to previous years with more emphasis on developing novice ‘sliders’ and the more experienced getting a feel for being back on the ice.
Usually, novices give one of three sports a go (luge, skeleton or bobsleigh) on Exercise Racing Ice, held annual in December, however, there has not been one since 2019. So, beginners were thrown in at the deep end and had two weeks to learn and master a new sport and the track prior to race day.
As a veteran of luge, I helped to coach the first few days, sharing my knowledge and experience with the others. I jumped back on my sled on day three and just like riding a bike you never forget how to slide, although the butterflies in your stomach at the top of the track also never leave you!
Race day came around at the end of two weeks, unlike other years there was no team competition against the Royal Navy or Royal Air Force. This year’s Alternative Ice Sports competition was for individual prizes and was categorised into novice and senior events. The categories were gender neutral, so men and women competed against each other, the pressure was on me as men are generally heavier
Sergeant Dani Scott on the winner’s podium
The Gazette QARANC Association 37
and stronger than women so naturally slide quicker.
I managed to hold my nerve and put down two solid runs, finishing overall first place in the senior category. Lance Corporal Webb (RTR, Army) kept me on my toes putting down a fifth placed run in his first slide followed by a personal best on his second run to claw his way back to second overall.
Army athletes finishing first and
second in the senior event is very promising for the future. Hopefully next season will see less restrictions, more sliding opportunities and the Army taking the team trophy.
Anyone interested in trying one of the three ice sports keep your eye out for Ex Racing Ice advertised autumn time or give me a shout.
Sergeant Dani Scott QARANC