Skiing, '152 Ski', Ruhpolding, Germany, Feb 2011, ID 1040

152 (U) Tpt Regt RLC (V)

For those of you who are unaware, nordic skiing is not "just like walking" Capt Elvina McCullough. It takes a great deal of effort, coordination, strength and endurance, not to mention courage!

In February 152 sent a nordic skiing team to Ruhploding in Germany for Ex Ski RLC. The brave and completely novice team were rubbing shoulders with some of the best skiers in the army. There was no shortage of people to offer advice and give encouragement, both of which we were happy to have.

Team Nordic 152 was:  Team Captain Lt Jo McParland, Capt Greg Byers, Capt Elvina McCullough, Pte Donna Buchanan, Pte Shauna Laverty, Pte Andrew Matthews and Capt Kevin McCarthy who was competing as an individual athlete.

The team had plenty of time to bond on the epic journey from Belfast to Ruhploding, which included two Ferry crossings and two long drives across Scotland, England, Holland and Germany.

On arrival in Ruhpolding after settling into our wonderful accommodation, we quickly discovered the famous salt water hot pool and steam room in the town's swimming pool and the delights of the local cake and coffee shops. We didn’t fully appreciate it at the time, but we were in for a exceptionally tough but thoroughly rewarding two weeks.

The first race was approaching quickly. As a novice team most had never been on skis before. We set about finding our feet in the beautiful settings of the Bavarian Alps. A professional ski lesson followed which can only be described an the funniest thing I have ever seen or done. After establishing our level of experience or lack there of, we set out to ski the route the first race would follow. As a group it probably took us twenty minutes getting up the first hill and another fifteen to find the courage to go down the other side. Tears of laughter were wiped away as we pressed on, falling so many times it was hard to keep count. The instructor was enjoying our escapades just as much as we were saying that "this is my favorite group today", everyone loves a good comedy!

We were shown how to stop and turn which we would find to be of great use in the days to come, even if we had yet to totally master either. We were at least a little more confident and even more determined to do our best during the first race.

The 5Km Sprint was our first test. Starting at 30 second intervals allowed us to cheer each other on from the starting line. Due to our efforts on the first hill the day before, it had been removed from the course, which was greatly appreciated by Team 152. Butterflies and pre-race nerves affecting everyone as we anxiously waited for the starter to call us forward. We all finished the course and were buzzing from the whole experience.

The next race was the 10Km/15Km Classic Ski which proved to be challenging. As Team 152 was a mixed team, everyone had to complete the men’s distance. A tall order when you are a novice skier. Regardless, the distance was achieved and the team went home tired but happy (to be alive)! Suicide Hill, as we had renamed the final big hill, had battered us all. Capt Greg Byers even decided to see if he could ski down it on his face at one point. Capt Kevin McCarthy completed the third circuit with a damaged ski book having ripped the sole from the boot on a bad fall out on the course. Last man on that day, he skied across the line, Team 152 and the race officials applauding him home. He received a special award at prize giving for his fantastic effort.

In the next race 10Km/7.5Km Freestyle, Lt Jo McParland fell badly on a hill corner combination and injured her knee and had to retire from the competition. Pte Donna Buchanan was brought into the team for the 4 X 5Km team relay. Team 152 worked as always with great heart and determination. Pte Buchanan leading the team out on the first leg, Pte Andrew Matthews on the second, Pte Shauna Laverty on the third and Capt Greg Byers on the forth and final leg. It was great to see such wonderful team spirit and support by all.

Capt Greg Byers went to see the physiotherapist as he had fallen on the same leg a number of times and had bruised it quite badly. "I have a bruise" said Greg, "OK lets see it" said the Physio, "Yes you DO have a bruise" as he looked at the massive mix of red, black and blue that extended from Greg’s hip to below his knee.

The final big test was approaching - the Patrol Race. Due to such large numbers the race was held over two days. Day one covered 5Km and included a shoot at the biathlon range (remember aim for the black spots)! At one point Pte Donna Buchanan was skiing around the track with blood dripping from her nose where she and the ice had a falling out, she was still smiling though!

The second day was an 18Km ski through the amazing snow covered Bavarian Alps under cloudless blue skies to the new stadium. The team worked hard completing a number of tasks along the route while carrying 10Kg each in weight. The team stormed through the finish line, images of the hot salt swimming pool and steam room already going through their heads.

Skiing was not the only skills acquired on this trip, I would be keeping a keen eye on future master chefs for a certain Pte Andrew Matthews, who with a little instruction from Capt Greg Byers on how to make breakfast, turned out to be a whizz in the kitchen.

Pte Shauna Laverty by the end of the two weeks looked as though she had been skiing for years. At the beginning of the event screams of "Oh Mummy" could be heard as she hurtled down Suicide Hill, this had been replaced with steely eyed confidence by the end of the second week.

At the start of the competition Pte Donna Buchanan has asked our instructor on out first lesson "how do we do this" as she stood at the top of Suicide Hill, "Just go for it", was his reply, so we did, all of us! It was an amazing two weeks, difficult at times, full of excitement, a real adrenaline rush. Nordic skiing is not just like walking, it is hard work, emotional, and very rewarding. Ex Ski RLC 2012....will you be there?