Page 57 - The Gazette Autumn 2023

the Giant Slalom. The most nerve-racking part was waiting at the top for your turn to step off the ridge, this is where our instructor’s motto ‘knife between the teeth’ kicked in.
The next day we competed in the Slalom; I found this race more challenging as it was steeper with tighter turns but the support and comradery from everyone involved encouraged me to get to the bottom. The atmosphere at this finish line was amazing with everyone cheering each other and the jangle of the cowbells.
In the evening we celebrated everyone’s success with a prize giving ceremony, which was a great ending to an amazing experience. All of this would not have been possible without the dedicated individuals who make up the AMSSC Committee who planned and provided such a successful AMS Ski Championships. I am so grateful to have been part of this event and look forward to future opportunities.
The Gazette QARANC Association 57
Snowbuck: ‘Once
the nerves wore off,
the competition was
extremely enjoyable’
Pte Olivia Sharp, an Army Healthcare Assistant
at RCDM in Birmingham, reports back from the Army Medical Services’ Snowboarding experience ‘Exercise Snowbuck’ in Austria, which they attended with a grant from the Association.
After settling into our very nice self-catering apartment, in the Flachau area near Salzburg in February, we explored the resort and discovered a local restaurant which became a regular feature of our stay.
After a relaxing day gathering the week’s supplies and hiring our ski equipment, we attended a team meeting and had our first chance to meet the other military personnel taking part in Exercise Snowbuck.
The following morning (Monday) each unit met on the mountain to be split into groups according to ability and the novices remained on the nursery slope with our instructors. For the first week we focused on development and tuition. As the week progressed, novices were split into additional mixed groups, which further helped to develop friendships between the military units.
At first it seemed that our snowboarding abilities were progressing slowly but by the end of the first week our progression became hugely apparent. We were finally able to tackle the blue slopes.
Despite the aches and pains, along with the continuous falls, everyone was in high spirits. Novices mastered the basics and were starting to look pretty good on a snowboard, whilst the senior riders were gaining even more confidence.
Following the initial five days of tuition, the weekend provided two days off to relax and recharge before the competitions began.
The AMS competition took place throughout the second week, with the slalom being the initial race. Novices and seniors were expected to pass several gates in the quickest time possible. This seemed very daunting as we had only just developed the ability to link turns and were now expected to compete at speed.
Once the initial nerves wore off, the event was extremely enjoyable, and a sense of pride was achieved when reaching the final gate.
The second event was the boardercross race. This was a snowboard competition in which three personnel raced down a course. Typically, the course is very narrow, with cambered turns and various jumps, as well as flat and steep sections. It is common for boarders to collide, which certainly happened in this case! There were different heats until a first, second and third placed individual was identified.
Finally, came the last event, the Snow Park. Here personnel attempted jumps and tricks whilst airborne. It was extraordinary to see the novices attempting these jumps after only mastering how to stay upright and link turns the week before.
It was extremely rewarding to be able to complete each of the events, and to watch the more senior snowboarders display their fast-racing abilities and very impressive tricks. Exercise Snowbuck helped to build team cohesion and friendships with other military units. We all agreed that we would certainly attend again in the future.
Pte Olivia Sharp