INTRODUCTION TO NORDIC

Nordic Skiing in the British Army encompasses the separate international winter sports disciplines of cross country skiing (XC skiing) and biathlon (XC skiing and rifle shooting) as well as the Military Patrol Race.

Classified by 2010DIN01-209 (Status of Sports in the Services) as Individual Military Training, the competitive phases are conducted in accordance with National governing body regulations; entirely separate from ski-touring; it is not Adventurous Training (AT).Acting under the authority of the Army Winter Sports Association (AWSA) and Director Training (Army), the British Army Nordic Skiing Committee (BANSC) provides the Land Forces oversight of Army Nordic skiing and policy is articulated in 2011DIN07-150 (Army European Winter Activity Instruction).

You can also download the Full Nordic Rulebook here.

Army Nordic Skiing exercises and competitions are open to all Reg and TA personnel. The following competitions are recognised by BANSC:

• RAC / RA / AAC. The Nordic championships for the Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Artillery and Army Air Corps are known collectively as Ex WHITE FIST.  Ex WHITE FIST provides an introduction to biathlon ski racing and provide a competitive environment for novice and experienced ski teams in preparation for the Divisional and Army Championships.

• RA. The RA conduct a 4 week annual ski training scheme open to all RA skiers from novice to GBR standard and focuses on cross country and biathlon technique, race training and preparing teams for participation in competitions.

• RE.  The RE Nordic training camp and championships is Ex NEPTUNE’S ICE which provides an introduction to biathlon ski racing and a competitive environment for novice and experienced ski teams in preparation for the Divisional and Army Championships.

• RLC.  The RLC Nordic championships are part of the Ex SKI RLC.  The aim is to promote Nordic skiing within the RLC.  Details of the Nordic element can be found within the instruction which goes out to all RLC units each year and includes details of the Team Captains’ meeting.

• REME.  The REME conduct Ex SUPREME TIGER; a Nordic Development & Race Camp in preparation for the Divisional and Army Championships.  The first week comprises BASI instructor training & qualifications.

• Exercise SPARTAN HIKE.  Ex SPARTAN HIKE is the divisional level ski meeting (Nordic and Alpine) for 4th Division, 5th Division and London District, as well as the TA Nordic Ski Championships.  The aim of the exercise is to introduce personnel to Nordic and Alpine ski racing in a safe and controlled environment and qualify teams for the Army Championships. Click here to visit the Ex SH page.

• Exercise PIPEDOWN.  The Rhino Ski Club run a ski competition known as Exercise PIPEDOWN for teams from 1 (UK) Armoured Division, NI and 2nd Division. The aim of the Ex is to provide participants with a technically demanding and challenging race programme to enhance the moral component and provide opportunities to compete for places at the Army Championships.  Application and administrative detail is published annually by DIN.  Details will also be published on the web at: http://www2.army.mod.uk/1div/sport/pipedown/index.htm.

• Exercise RUCKSACK.  Exercise RUCKSACK, the British National, Inter-Service, Inter-Corps and Army Nordic Ski Championships, also open to international, civilian and guest teams.  The aim of the exercise is to provide participants with an arduous and challenging racing programme, using world class, state of the art facilities, and physically demanding technical courses, in order to enhance the moral component of the participants, who will have qualified through divisional championships.  Administrative detail is published annually on the internet accessible or www.britishbiathlon.com.  Further details are available from the Nordic Secretary. Click here to download a PDF of the Rucksack Prog 2012 @ 21 May 11.

Participation in BANSC sponsored Nordic skiing exercises, events and competitions is classified as individual military training when authorised in accordance with 2011DIN07-150.

• Army Nordic skiing is run in accordance with AWSA Army Nordic Ski Competition Rules 2011. These are based on the FIS (Federation International de Ski) 2008 International Competition Rules (with Precisions 2009 – 2011) and the IBU (International Biathlon Union) Event and Competition Rules 2010, with any changes endorsed by BANSC.

• Technical regulations for skis, bindings, boots, poles, clothing and rifles are contained in the relevant FIS and IBU publications: www.fis-ski.com and www.biathlonworld.com.

• Army Nordic Biathlon shooting training policy is detailed in AGAIs.

• Target rifle shooting courses are available through the Army Rifle Association.  Further details can be found at the Army Rifle Association, Hythe Lodge, National Shooting Centre, BISLEY, Surrey GU24 0NY, Tel: Bisley Mil (94211) Ext 8084, Civ (01483) 798084/798924.

ARMY NORDIC COLOURS

We currently only list athletes awarded Army Biathlon or Cross Country Colours from 1998 – 2011, but have also added the International honours for these listed athletes who first represented GBR before 1998. We believe that this list is 100% accurate from 1998 onwards with regard to the Inter Service representation. The International records for Biathlon are also believed to be 100% accurate ref Olympic Winter Games / World Cup / World Champs. For International, the year e.g. 2011 implies season 2010 – 2011. To View the International Honours Army Colours 1988-2011 click here

GOVERNING BODIES

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