Publication:The Trade December 2003/A week on the Piste
CPOETSM Bill Mansfield "The Electronic Guvnor!"
The 2003 Navy Alpine Snow Sports Championships incorporating the 2003 Inter Service Trials took place at Mount Buller in Victoria between 03 - 10 August. Being an RNer and therefore used to the cold I decided to give this a go. Thinking that I was still 21 years old and bullet proof off I went to the slopes. It soon became apparent that I was neither 21 NOR bulletproof! Too many years of absence from the slopes, 20 kilos around the waist and an old mans fear of getting hurt all contributed to possibly the worst weeks skiing that I have ever done. That being said the week was thoroughly enjoyable both on and off the piste. The RAN Ski Club Committee did an excellent job of arranging team days including a team "hats" day, loud shorts days and a round of golf in the local hosteleries.
Initially I thought that there was enough interest in the Sub Group that we would be able to enter a Submariners Team unfortunately that was not to be the case. We definitely work too hard in boats! As is normally the case at the ski championships any unaffiliated entrants are grouped together in a team called the Barbarians. This year I had the privilege to be in that team alongside CMDR Andy Fraser (PSO-E), LCDR John Renwick (MET), LCRD Dave White (Canungra) token skimmer 1 and LSET Squiz Taylor (HMAS ADELAIDE) token skimmer 2. The Barbarians didn't exactly blaze a trail of glory but if there had been a prize for enthusiasm we would have got it, even if it was for wearing those silly hats!
It has to be said that but for the injury of our star snowboarder (CMDR Fraser) things might have been very different. Personally I think it was a dirty tactic by the surface teams. The week went all too fast and before we had time to catch our breath the RAN team had been chosen and it was time to fly home. For those budding skiers out there this is a great opportunity to try out a new sport and meet people from other areas of the RAN. In addition to the Navy team there is also a "Development " squad who are invited to stay for the second week. Navy did very well in the Inter Service Championships finishing first in the team skiers and third in the Snowboarding. Unfortunately, this year, the RAN was unable to enter a Ladies team into the Inter Service Championships due to lack of available personnel. So next year, when it's cold and wet in WA, why don't you rug up and get a sun tan at Mount Buller, Thredbo or Perisher. See you on the piste!
