Next Generation Snow Sports Stars
9 August 2011
Extraordinary talents from both experienced and new competitors led to a spectacular week of challenging racing at the Navy Alpine Snowsports (NAS) 2011 Championship.
More than 90 officers, sailors and Navy APS staff braved the wintery conditions at Perisher Blue resort over 31 July – 5 August to battle out the boarder-cross, giant slalom and slalom competitions.
The week on the slopes, with daily coaching, enabled first time competitors to develop basic skills and the more experienced to hone their carving and riding skills.
For the first time, the number of snowboarders attending reached more than 50 per cent of all competitors. This led to fierce competition in the top five positions of boarder-cross and giant slalom races.
AB Kieran Revell-Ried (HMAS Kuttabul) edged out AB Kyle Cronin (HMAS Harman) to take out the top male boarder position. Navy APS member Brendan Holland finished third.
In the women’s boarder competition, despite enviable times in both races, SMN Jess Tunbridge (HMAS Perth) missed a gate and subsequently disqualified herself in the boarder-cross (great sportsmanship Jess) leaving AB Nomes Andriessen (HMAS Perth) to finish first, followed by Emma Hook (LARGS BAY) and Navy APS Katherine Oates.
Skier LCDR Dan Crocker (HMAS Kuttabul) emerged victorious in the men’s skiing competition winning both races. Navy APS member Dave Seymour came in second and CMDR Phil Ridgway (HMAS Harman) in third.
LCDR Danna Radnidge (HMAS Kuttabul) took out the women’s skiing competition with CPO Kerrie Dickie (HMAS Harman) in second and LEUT Shannon Godfrey (HMAS Kuttabul) in third.
President of NAS, CAPT Tony O’Malley said that achieving the goal of attracting a wider range of competitors and growing the sports of alpine skiing and snowboarding was evident in this years’ championship.
“The 2011 annual championship attracted a strong representation of women competitors and junior sailors,” said CAPT O’Malley.
“Women represented 30 per cent of our competitors and junior sailors represented more than 40 per cent.
“It is fantastic for the championships and the sport to not only have attract a wide breadth of skills but also shake the tag of the championships being for officers and experienced personnel.
“There is definitely a new generation of interest and talent emerging each year.”
Following the end of competition, a team of thirty personnel were selected to represent Navy at the Australian Defence Alpine Snowsports Association Interservice Championships at Mt Hotham.
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