THE TRI SERVICE TEAM AT THE ORANGE BRITS 2006.
Saturday 11th,The Navy were the first to arrive at Laax Switzerland (Mick Taff Paddy and me), after having a brief stopover in Zurich. Only one connection was missed whilst travelling to the resort, a point to remember next year is never argue with the conductor about first class seating as your bus is leaving(Mick). After finding our accommodation quickly, we dressed at full speed for the hill and were on the snow for just after two in the afternoon. Conditions were poor with an overcast sky and flat light but after an enjoyable afternoon, snow started falling as we made our way down off the hill. The other members of the inter-services team arrived later that evening with Tamsin (RAF) at 1800 and Andy, Pete, Doug, Sarah, Ollie (Army) at 2000.
Later that evening in the Crap bar liaisons were made with the event organisers and I volunteered my services for the border cross race initially. Ties where also formed with the Director of Snowboard GB and he showed a keen interest with the military team.
Sunday 12th,Practice day, the Navy plus one from the RAF were first out on the hill where there was an abundance of fresh snow. It was still overcast with flat light but snow was falling at an alarming rate. First stop on the hill was to inspect the boarder cross course but due to the conditions it was difficult to get to and could hardly be made out. Though we would have liked to run the course there was no point as it had not been groomed. Shortly after inspecting the boarder cross course we met up with the rest of the team, due to the visibility being very poor we cautiously rode powder and the park for the rest of the day coming of the hill early.
During the evening I attended a briefing for race officials, the meeting only lasted an hour and included the whole week of events. During the briefing I was introduced to the rest of the hill team and informed of my role for the next day, start referee (see a pattern forming anywhere?)
Monday 13th,Boarder-cross day, early start for me; caught the first lift up and shortly thereafter arrived at the start line for the boarder-cross. It was a very crisp morning but it was not overcast and the sun was slowly rising and creating some much needed warmth. My first role of the day was to help FIS TD Sammi Savela to set the course (this man was one of the Olympic judges). Half way through setting the course we halted as it was not challenging enough and a pisten bully was phoned. Five minutes after the phone call the pisten bully arrived and re-created a more challenging course, this set the start time back by half an hour. After an hour of full speed practice my next role was to line competitors up. Starting with the kids, some as young as eight, this was for a one run qualifying time. The heats started shortly after this was with only sixteen men and eight ladies going through, there were other categories for kids and masters. I was the start official for all the heats wearing CSWSA colours so I might be on TV 16th April channel 4. The Inter-service men did particularly well getting three members into the heats Mick Arrowsmith, Peter Hale and Andy Moore. Mick Arrowsmith did exceptionally well after a plate final he ended up in sixth place overall and I believe that riders one to five are all sponsored riders.
Tuesday 14th,Half pipe day, most of us had a late night on Monday so it was a late start. By the time we had risen the sun was at full blow with clear blue skies powder was immediately found, ridden, nailed and ridden again and again. Later on in the afternoon we took pleasure in watching the lemmings leap in and out of the half-pipe, lots of back fives and front sevens were performed during the mens finals.
By Shiner
Wednesday 15th,Big Air comp day, everyone was up early to hit the powder straight away after the other mornings late start. It was a very warm day with crystal clear blue skies. Lots of the powder had already been tracked out, but Doug Webster has a keen nose for sniffing out the un-burnt white stuff. The whole of the crew stayed together for most of the day riding powder; at half past two we stopped to watch the finals of the Big Air comp. Today we were watching more lemmings with even bigger balls do bigger tricks off stupid size ramps. The most impressive dude but not the winner was the guy who was attempting a double back flip, he even got a third attempt for his amazing effort on his judged runs.
Thursday 16th,Slope-Style day, up early on first lift and straight onto the course for a bit of final fettling before practice started. The course consisted of a choice of two rails one kinked the other straight leading into first set of kickers 5, 10, and 15 meters this was followed by another set of equally sized kickers a straight flat box was followed next, after this again there was a choice of rails: an A box, an A rail, and a box in a wave design the final hit was a two sided wall of monstrous proportions. My job for the day was marshalling the second set of kickers this was down to my First Aiding ability with quick access to both landing zones. During the day there was an amazing array of tricks being pulled off but thankfully only a few walking wounded. The men were pulling 90s on and 270s off the rail with nose or tail grinds, on the kickers they got as high as 900 spins with rodeos and grabs. The leading lady Miss Jenny Jones pulled a 540 grab of the first kicker 360 on second then switch onto the box with tail slide. It was a very long day but I gained a lot of knowledge during the day about course setting, overall running, and judging which includes difficulty of obstacle, marking, and positioning. But the day was worth it to see the awesome tricks being performed by top UK riders meters away at head height in one of the best seats in the house.
In the evening there was a new event held at the base of the mountain called the Orange Air time (Acid Drop) you will see this on every snowboard magazine cover shortly, and probably in your local city centre as well. The event utilizes a high access crane, a quarter pipe and riders with big nads, the winner is the person who can land from the highest leap.
Friday 17th,A late start to the day due to the final prize giving and party the night before but there was still powder to be had. Some people stayed in the park to ride rails and half pipe while other members of the crew hunted down the last drops of powder. the day ended at three in the afternoon for the Navy guys so we could pack up and catch the six oclock bus (we missed it) to catch the train for Zurich for our early flight on Saturday morning.
I have enjoyed my two days working with the guys and girls from the British Aim series and hope to keep the association going. I have learned a lot from them but they have also appreciated input from myself and would like me back in future years as a military liaison and staff member.
The Brits Aim series is a great event and we should send a team each year with funding. This would generate much needed PR and provide a platform for recruitment. This could be extended to the world cup series as well.
Shiner
