Page 66 - AGC Journal 2018

AGC JOURNAL 2018

Exercise White

Lion 2018

By Lieutenant Sam Smith

The Annual Exercise White Lion was held on the Stubai Glacier.

Stubai Glacier
Far away from the crowded ski resorts of
St Anton and Mayrhofen, and yet only a
30 minute drive from the beautiful city of
Innsbruck, Austria’s biggest glacier ski area
awaits. Renowned for its friendly locals,
challenging wide ski routes, state of the art ski Week One
lifts and umbrella bar, the Stubai Glacier is the

perfect choice for Exercise White Lion 2018. The first week followed a similar format in terms of structure.
Each team would make their own way to the glacier in order
Teams to meet their instructors in the ‘Gamsgarten’ restaurant at

8 a.m. Teams were split down to best fit ability groups and
Competing teams and officials travelled from assigned an instructor. The purpose of the week was to learn

the United Kingdom and Germany, some to ski (if you couldn’t already), hone existing skills, and learn

flying out, whilst others made the long road everything there is to know about the ‘Slalom’ and ‘Giant
trip. Slalom’ disciplines of alpine downhill racing.
Accommodation Week Two
Teams were split down between properties Week two arrived and the teams were eager to start racing.
in Neustift and neighbouring villages. Next The instructors took a step back from instructing, focusing
was the team captain’s meeting and kit issue. instead on the smooth running of the Junior and Senior hills.
Skis, poles and boots were sought from local The skiers would compete twice a day, once in the morning
stores as well as the food essentials needed and again in the afternoon. Times would then be counted,
to supply the groups for the upcoming two scores created and the running order for next day would then
weeks. Stubai requires a 30 minute drive from be generated. The leader board was in a constant state of
Neustift to the base of the main cable car so change, especially for those in the top 15. Those coming fastest
teams were required to bring everything they in the morning would compete later in the afternoon to give
would need to survive eight hours on the those nearing the 15th position a fair chance of competing on
slopes. good snow.

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