Superb snow conditions, bright sunshine and some inspired Alpine and Nordic skiing helped to make this year’s EXERCISE SPARTAN HIKE, the UK Divisional Ski Championships, a resounding success.

More than 330 competitors from 27 Regular units and six TA units from 5 Div, 4 Div and London District took part in the downhill and cross-country disciplines at Serre Chevalier in the French Alps during the period 10-18 January 2010.

Lieutenant Colonel Phil Watkins, the Exercise Controller, was delighted with the event. “Despite threats of financial paucity and lower numbers of TA entries it was a good year with wonderful conditions and an excellent standard of racing,” he said.

“The aim of Ex SPARTAN HIKE is to provide a safe but competitive environment for soldiers to develop and test their military and personal attributes of determination, courage, endeavour, leadership, fitness and marksmanship, through Nordic cross country, biathlon and alpine skiing.

“It also encourages novices to take part and develop their skill base and provide a challenging environment which will enable them to feel more comfortable with the stress, pressure and fatigue of operations.”

A number of them qualified for the Army championships, including some novice skiers who had literally never been on skis before the start of the training season.

In the Nordic event, competitors took part in two relay races, the 15 km Classic Individual (10 km for women), two biathlon races and the blue ribband event - the Military Patrol Race, which this year was won by 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.

As in previous years 17 Port and Maritime Regiment and 16 Regiment Royal Artillery made a strong showing in the results as well as 131 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers, the Honourable Artillery Company and Exeter University Officer Training Corps for the Territorial Army.

The heavy snow provided challenging conditions for the Alpine events which was proved by only 64 out of the 130 starters managing to finish all the races – the technical Slalom and Giant Slalom, and the speed events, the Super Giant Slalom and the heart-stopping Downhill which was won by 7 Air Assault Battalion REM, closely followed by 19 Regiment Royal Artillery.

Captain Matt Shepherd of 29 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps consistently skied superbly as an individual and won every race, winning gold medals throughout. The Commander in Chief’s award for Alpine was presented to Captain Alan Jackson of the Household Cavalry Regiment for being judged the individual who made the greatest contribution to the sport by being an excellent leader and always taking the time to help other teams.