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2017 AGM report and 2018 AGM

By 23 November 2017July 30th, 2020No Comments

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

The 2017 AGM will be on Tuesday 6 Novovember 18 at the Cav & Gds Club in London.

VICE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT TO THE 2017 AWSA AGM

BRIG MP MOORE CBE – 1 NOV 17

A warm welcome to the AGM.

General. The AWSA has had another really good season, which is most pleasing considering we are celebrating our 70th Anniversary. With the continued reduction in operational commitments, the levels of participation were up on previous levels and this trend should continue, public funding permitting. Snow conditions were reasonable, but this did not detract from some excellent competitions. It was another strong set of results. The following provides a flavour of the Disciplines.

Alpine. The Army Championships, held in Serre Chevalier for the 26th consecutive year, was a great success, despite the Army team skiers (male and female) not attending due to a clash in dates with Inter Services Championships in Meribel. LCpl James Oldham 1 LANCS was the new Army Male champion and Capt Rebecca Ritchie was the new Female Champion. There were two new faces in the male Army Alpine Team; in particular Sappers Kick and Kuvall, both ex British Development Squad skiers. Whilst they won all of the four individual races between them in Meribel at the Inter-Services Championships, neither managed to win the individual combined Championship. However, the Men won the team event quite comfortably.

Cresta. Army Cresta continued their current form and fielded another strong team of six riders in the Inter-Services Championship. Capt Seccombe RY was runner-up in the individual title, but the team was victorious for the second time in two years.

Ice Sports. The Ice Camp in Igls went well with over 76 competitors taking up sliding on ice in the three pursuits for the first time. It was pleasing to see a number of these individuals progressing to the Army Championships. That event returned to Igls. The IS Championships were held jointly in Lillehammer, Norway. The Army male Bobsleigh team, mixed Luge team and Female Skeleton team won the team events. Gdmn Thompson IG and Sgt Scott RAMC won the male and female individual Luge titles with Capt Hayley Larcombe QARANC winning the individual female Skeleton title. A very good season for Ice!

Nordic. Exercise RUCKSACK took place once again in Ruhpolding and was most successful. There were 210 skiers from 33 teams participating. Both the Navy and RAF took part in the Inter-Services events, which was great news. 1 Regt RLC returned to the victory podium as the Champion Army Nordic Unit Ski Team and also won the Military Patrol Race. 6 Regt RLC won the Princess Marina Cup.

Snowboard. Snowboard’s growth continues and there are two Championships, both held in Austria; the former in Kaunertal and the latter in Stubai. The first, Ex SNOW METHOD, was from 8 to 22 Oct 16, which comprised Freestyle and Boardercross events. The second, Ex SNOW JACK, was the main Championship and took place from 25 Mar to 8 Apr 17. The Army team for the Inter Services Championships in Meribel was selected on past performance and from results at the 2016 Ex SNOW METHOD. The Army Male team was beaten into second place by the RAF but the Female team was convincing winners in the Inter-Services Championships. Lcpl Shona Kinnear QARANC was the runner up once again in the individual female Championship.

Telemark. The Army championship moved to PLV (Prolognan La Vanoise) in France from 3 to 19 Jan 17 as Muerren was not quite fit for purpose. 76 skiers took part and the resort proved to be a resounding success from all aspects. The Inter-Services competition in Meribel went well, with all three Services taking part. The Navy won the team event, but Capt Julian Everard LD came second in the individual event.

Sponsorship. Sponsorship remains healthy with Team Army as the current generous mainstay, with Saab, Thales and Nexter generously providing other funding.

Appointments and Succession Planning. The five Deputy Presidents help to look after the major Disciplines, with one looking after Ice Sports; this continues to work well. There were no major changes to the hierarchy, with Gen Sir John remaining as President and Gen Patrick as Chairman.
2017/18 Season. The key future events in date order are as follows:

  • EX SNOW METHOD Army Freestyle Snowboard Championship 14 – 28 Oct 17 in Kaunertal, Austria.
  • EX TELEMARK TITAN The Army Telemark Championship 13 – 25 Jan 18 in PLV, France.
  • EX LIONS CHALLENGE Army Alpine Championship 24 Jan – 2 Feb 18 in Serre Chevalier.
  • EX RUCKSACK Nordic (Cross Country & Biathlon) Championships 24 Jan to 9 Feb 18 in Ruhpolding, Germany.
  • The Inter Service Cresta Championship 31 Jan 18 in St Moritz.
  • The Inter Service Snow Sports Championships 3 to 10 Feb 18 in Meribel, France, comprising Alpine, Snowboard and Telemark.
  • The Army Ice Sports Championships 25 Jan – 3 Feb 18 in Winterberg, Germany.
  • The IS Ice Sports Championships 25 Feb – 3 Mar 18 in Igls, Austria.
  • EX SNOW JACK The Army Snowboard Championship 10 – 24 Mar 18 in Stubai, Austria.

Summary. I am hugely grateful for your personal support for Winter Sports. This has proved invaluable once again for the 16/17 Season and we have managed to celebrate our 70th Anniversary with much success. Our forebears can look down on us with immense pride. I hope to see many of you on the slopes in the 17/18 season. Your Association is in excellent order.